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1998 Acura Cl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Acura Cl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 52.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2018
Electrical System

THE SWITCH IS CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHEN IM STOPPED AND WHEN I START TO PULL OUT ON TO THE MAIN ROAD IT HAS EVEN STAYED RUNNING WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT I WOULD HAVE TO POP MY CLUTCH TO KILL IT AND THEN MY DASH LIGHTS WOULDNT GO OFF OR COME BACK ON AND I WOULDNT KNOW IT TIL I…

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THE SWITCH IS CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHEN IM STOPPED AND WHEN I START TO PULL OUT ON TO THE MAIN ROAD IT HAS EVEN STAYED RUNNING WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT I WOULD HAVE TO POP MY CLUTCH TO KILL IT AND THEN MY DASH LIGHTS WOULDNT GO OFF OR COME BACK ON AND I WOULDNT KNOW IT TIL I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AGAIN AND THEN THE BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD, IVE HAD TO HOLD MY KEY ON WHILE DRIVING AND CHANGING GEARS AND NOW ITS CAUSING MY STARTER TO SOUND LIKE SOMETHIN AWFUL ITS GOING TO GET ME KILLED SONETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP BOUT IT. UNS CAN IGNORE THIS COMPLAINT ALL UNS WANT BUT FAIR WARNING IF I GET KILLED IN IT THERE WILL BE ONE BIG LAW SUIT ON YALLS ASS. TY HAVE A BLEESED DAY I COULD BE TURNING OR ANYTHING IT DOES IT, IT DOES NOT HOLD BACK WHEN IT GETS READY TO CUT OFF IT WILL, THERE IS NO SIGNS WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT IT CUTS OFF @ LEAST 40 TIMES OR MORE A DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11128371

95,000 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SEE WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH BUT I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL. THE CAR BELONGS TO MY MOTHER. THE DEALER DID NOT CHANGE THE PART IN 2012 BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #11075216

225,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE IMMOBILIZER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE IMMOBILIZER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

NHTSA ODI #10822771

85,000 miles · Aug 9, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

IT IS MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW THE WINDOW PART IN DOOR THAT CAUSE WINDOW TO GO UP AND DOWN BREAKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN I LOOKED IN ACURA FORUM WHERE IT'S EVERYONE IS HAVING PROBLEMS SAME THING AND THE COMPANY NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM DID IT ANYWAY AND HOPED NO RECALL WOULD COME ABOUT. NOW THIS IS SHADES PRACTICE I…

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IT IS MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW THE WINDOW PART IN DOOR THAT CAUSE WINDOW TO GO UP AND DOWN BREAKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN I LOOKED IN ACURA FORUM WHERE IT'S EVERYONE IS HAVING PROBLEMS SAME THING AND THE COMPANY NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM DID IT ANYWAY AND HOPED NO RECALL WOULD COME ABOUT. NOW THIS IS SHADES PRACTICE I WENT TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN A BEE WAS IN CAR I WAS DRIVING AND COULDN'T JUST PULL OVER ON FREE WAY. MY WINDOW BROKE AGAIN I GOT STUNG I'M SWOLLEN FROM STING AND ALL CAUSE COULDN'T ROLL DOWN A WINDOW THAT SHOULD ALWAYS WORK! I HAVE HAD IT WITH ACURA.

NHTSA ODI #10747283

90,000 miles · Feb 1, 2015
Electrical System

THE CAR STOPPED AT 40 MILES AN HR WE WERE DRIVING ON ROAD WITH TRAFFIC CAR DIED WOULDN'T START IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE CARS HAD TO SERVE NOT TO HIT US. NO ONE WOULD HELP MY HUSBAND PUSH IT OFF ROAD. WE DODGED A BULLET. THIS IS ONE OF MANY ISSUES WITH OWNING THE CAR. A WASTE OF MONEY CAR IS CRAP MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680373

62,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

WE HAD TO REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSION AFTER 70000MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE A DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW TWICE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS STAYS ON NOTHING WRONG, CAR STALLED GOING 45MPHS FIXED THAT PROBLEM OTHER LIGHTS NOW STAY ON NO MATTER IF NOTHING IS WRONG, THIS CAR ISN'T WORTH THE MONEY TOO MANY PROBLEMS AND THEY TELL ME MY VI…

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WE HAD TO REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSION AFTER 70000MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE A DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW TWICE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS STAYS ON NOTHING WRONG, CAR STALLED GOING 45MPHS FIXED THAT PROBLEM OTHER LIGHTS NOW STAY ON NO MATTER IF NOTHING IS WRONG, THIS CAR ISN'T WORTH THE MONEY TOO MANY PROBLEMS AND THEY TELL ME MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T FIT THE RECALLS BUT WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, I'M GOING TO START RAISING A STINK IT'S RIDICULOUS, *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641153

344,000 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Electrical System

AT 55 MPH THE CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. CONTACTING THE COMPANY ABOUT A RECALL THAT I SAW ON THE INTERNET THE COMPANY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY COMPLETED ON MY CAR. I DID NOT REMEMBER IT BEING DONE BUT TOLD THEM THAT THE PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OWNING THE CAR IN 344,000 MILES HAS NOW STARTED. THEY …

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AT 55 MPH THE CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. CONTACTING THE COMPANY ABOUT A RECALL THAT I SAW ON THE INTERNET THE COMPANY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY COMPLETED ON MY CAR. I DID NOT REMEMBER IT BEING DONE BUT TOLD THEM THAT THE PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OWNING THE CAR IN 344,000 MILES HAS NOW STARTED. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX IT BUT COULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL PART OF IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE IT AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WHEN THE PART WAS IN STOCK.

NHTSA ODI #10480501

344,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 55 MPH, I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR ANYONE ELSE HAVING THAT ISSUE AND FOUND THE RECALL ON MY CAR FOR IGNITION SWITCH, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR ALREADY HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED BUT WOULD LOOK AT IT AND CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CA…

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THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 55 MPH, I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR ANYONE ELSE HAVING THAT ISSUE AND FOUND THE RECALL ON MY CAR FOR IGNITION SWITCH, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR ALREADY HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED BUT WOULD LOOK AT IT AND CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR OVER, WHILE DOING SO IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE SWITCH AND SINCE IT WAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $500.00 TO REPLACE IT. ( I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE IT APPEARED THAT THE "FIX" DID NOT WORK THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AGAIN.) THE DEALER THEN TOLD ME THAT SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK THAT I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND GAVE ME MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME. (NOW THERE'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.) SINCE I AM CURRENTLY NOT WORKING I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH MYSELF AND UPON OPENING UP THE STEERING COLUMN I FOUND THAT THE 2 BOLTS HOLDING THE KEY LOCK TO THE COLUMN ARE A SAFETY TYPE " PAN HEAD " THAT CANT BE REMOVED EASILY. THE FUNNY THING IS I REALLY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD USE THIS TYPE OF BOLT TO REPLACE A RECALL ITEM. THERE ARE NO EASY WAYS TO GET AT THE SPOT TO RE-INSTALL THEM. IF THE MANUFACTURER RECALLED THE ITEM FOR THIS ISSUE IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITH THE RECALL SWITCH IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479726

105,500 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE IS THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE IS THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,500.

NHTSA ODI #10234030

114,535 miles · Nov 19, 2006
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 98 ACURA 3.0CL IS DEGRADING AND MY POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT, AND THE CAR ACCESSORIES STILL RUN JUST NOT THE CAR, AND THE THEFT LIGHT IS COMING ON, I'VE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON THE 14-15TH OF NOVEMBER 2006. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173808

Official recalls

5

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

03V423000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 27, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V018000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.