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1999 Acura Cl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 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

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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

30 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

49 reports
100,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3CL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V423000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROX…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3CL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V423000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10248994

165,000 miles · Sep 18, 2008
EquipmentPower Train

MY CAR STARTED DOWN SHIFTING AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES AND AGAIN NOT ACCELERATING WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL. THE TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKING WHEN IT DOWNSHIFTS AND IS NOT ENGAGING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242774

26,000 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND HEARD A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE. HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND, BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, AT 44,000 MILES…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND HEARD A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE. HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND, BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, AT 44,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND, ONCE AGAIN, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HELD THEMSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION, WHICH WORKED FINE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. HOWEVER, AT 89,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WROTE A LETTER TO THE STATE ATTORNEY AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS, BUT HAS CURRENTLY FAILED AGAIN. SHE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SERVICING IT REGULARLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER HOME WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SHE BELIEVES THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMERE THE REASON WHY SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANASMISSION WAS BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED. UPDATED 09/11/08*JB

NHTSA ODI #10233554

196,325 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Power Train

I PURCHASED AN 99 ACURA CL IN 2003 FROM THE ACURA DEALER IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, BEFORE I HAD 100,000.00 MILES ON THIS CAR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES. NOW I AM AT 196,000.00 AND HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KEEP UP WITH THE SER…

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I PURCHASED AN 99 ACURA CL IN 2003 FROM THE ACURA DEALER IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, BEFORE I HAD 100,000.00 MILES ON THIS CAR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES. NOW I AM AT 196,000.00 AND HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KEEP UP WITH THE SERVICING OF MY CAR. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHERE I GET THE SERVICE AS LONG AS I AM GETTING THE CAR SERVICE. IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER 3000.00 TO GET THIS CAR FIX. THIS CAN NOT BE SO BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THIS MANY TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233549

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, ALTHOUGH IT SAYS TO CLICK THE GAS CAP THREE TIMES OR IT WILL COME ON. AFTER GETTING RESET IT REMAINS TO POP BACK ON AGAIN AND IT IS ALSO DRINKING GAS ALOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214490

80,000 miles · Sep 9, 2007
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY AN ACURA AUTHORIZED DEALER/SERVICE AS DAMAGED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE UNSAFE FOR USE ON THE ROAD AS THE TRANSMISSION ERRATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS. THE ACURA SERVICE / DEALER IN BRIDGEWATER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION / VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL TRANSMI…

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MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY AN ACURA AUTHORIZED DEALER/SERVICE AS DAMAGED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE UNSAFE FOR USE ON THE ROAD AS THE TRANSMISSION ERRATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS. THE ACURA SERVICE / DEALER IN BRIDGEWATER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION / VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL TRANSMISSION REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. I HAVE TO COVER AND PAY THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COST OF $2,300. IN RESEARCHING THE WEB, THE 1999 ACURA CL 3.0 TRANSMISSION IS THE SAME AS THE TRANSMISSIONS RECALLED BY ACURA FOR YEARS' 2000, 2001, 2002. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10202310

76,000 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Power TrainCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3 CL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEARD SHIFTING AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3 CL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEARD SHIFTING AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO BE DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000. THE CONSUME PROVIDED MEDICAL AND INSURANCE BILLS FOR THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200890

50 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingParking BrakePower TrainCrashInjury

TRANSMISSION FAILURE: THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS : FAILURE TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE OR TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN IT IS IN PARK. LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC(SPEED DROPS FROM 55 MPH TO 0 MPH WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY). CAR WILL NOT ADVANCE SPEED WHEN MOV…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE: THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS : FAILURE TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE OR TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN IT IS IN PARK. LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC(SPEED DROPS FROM 55 MPH TO 0 MPH WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY). CAR WILL NOT ADVANCE SPEED WHEN MOVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY TURNS ON. WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: BREAK LAMP, V-TECH FILTERS, MULTIPLE SERVICE CHECKS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. HAVE HAD FOUR TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED BY DEALER. DEALER IS NOW REFUSING TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196532

89,000 miles · Jul 13, 2007
Equipment

SEVERE JERKING FROM TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE UNTIL REACHING AN EXCESS OF 5 RPMS, USING THIRD GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE AT 4 RPM'S, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE ON INCLINES CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBULIT TWICE, AND IS DESCRIBED IN A CLAS…

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SEVERE JERKING FROM TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE UNTIL REACHING AN EXCESS OF 5 RPMS, USING THIRD GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE AT 4 RPM'S, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE ON INCLINES CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBULIT TWICE, AND IS DESCRIBED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGANIST HONDA FOR TRANSMISSIONS, BUT NOT LISTED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. ALL VEHICLES AROUND THIS MODEL WERE RECALLED AND LISTED ON THE SUIT FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #10196325

44,000 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Electrical System

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3 CL. WHILE ON AN HILL OR A SLIGHT UPGRADE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNIT…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3 CL. WHILE ON AN HILL OR A SLIGHT UPGRADE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *AK UPDATE 5/3/07*TR

NHTSA ODI #10185639

Official recalls

3

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.

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.