IllustrationCONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPED TO CONTACT THE ACURA CLIENT SERVICE AND RECEIVES A MESSAGE EACH TIME REPLYING THE OFFICE IS CLOSED. TO DATE THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE, RECALL NOTICE 02V12. *JG *DT
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cl years →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
00–25K
125–50K
350–75K
875–100K
5100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
55 reportsVEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE WHILE IN PARK. CONSUMER WAS DRAGGED WHILE TRYING TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL ON THREE DIFFERENT TIRES (THE ORIGINAL AND THE TWO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS). THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 3,956 MILES, THE SECOND AT 4,104 MILES AND THE MOST RECENT AT 12,136 MILES. ACURA DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE AND REFERRED ME TO MICH…
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THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL ON THREE DIFFERENT TIRES (THE ORIGINAL AND THE TWO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS). THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 3,956 MILES, THE SECOND AT 4,104 MILES AND THE MOST RECENT AT 12,136 MILES. ACURA DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE AND REFERRED ME TO MICHELIN TIRE WHO IN TURN REFERRED ME TO A TIRE DEALER (ETD DISCOUNT TIRES). THE TIRE DEALER SAID THAT THE FAULT WAS NOT WITH THE MANUFACTURE, BUT WITH ME. AFTER THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE, THE TIRE DEALER ADVISED ME TO PURCHASE A ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY. GOOD THING RTHAT I DID AS IT OFFSET SOME OF THE COST OF THE THIRD TIRE REPLACEMENT TIRE. WHILE TWO INSTANCES MAY BE A COINCIDENCE, THREE TIRE SIMILAR TIRE FAILURE ON THE SAME WHEEL ARE NOT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MANUFACTURE OR DESIGN OF THAT PARTICLUAR TIRE OR THE CAR, OR BOTH. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH, MICHELIN HAS SENT ME A $71 CHECK, WHICH ONLY PARTIALLY OFFST THE COSTS INVOLVED. IN ALL THREE INSTANCES, THE BUBBLE ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL WAS POINTED OUT TO ME BY THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE. OF MAJOR CONCERN, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ROAD ACCIDENT IF I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT RELACE THE TIRES. (DOT NUMBER: RHW#752923 TIRESIZE: 205/55R16)
WHEN PULLING OOUT CAR WILL HESISTATE. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AT LOW SPEEDS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SOMETIMES THEY COULD GO OUT FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. DEALER HAD TRIED TO FIX HEADLIGHTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO.*AK
WHEN ALMOST COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THERE WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING NOT CONNECTING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER REPLACED SOME PARTS WITHIN THE STEERING COUPLING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE WILL GO FROM LANE TO LANE. ALSO, THERE ARE GAS FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE/ TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RE…
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THERE WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING NOT CONNECTING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER REPLACED SOME PARTS WITHIN THE STEERING COUPLING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE WILL GO FROM LANE TO LANE. ALSO, THERE ARE GAS FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE/ TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE DASH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOME TYPE OF BLACK SPOTS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
ONE TIRE HAD DEFECT AND LEAKED AIR SLOWLY. (MICHELIN) YH
O-RING MALFUNCTIONED. *YC
SHOCKS FAILED.
Official recalls
520V026000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.