1998 Acura CL
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 55
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
33% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 55 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 82 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 49 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 271 |
| 2002 | 44 |
| 2003 | 73 |
| 2004 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
33% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing switch and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-09
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-27
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-13
Power train
18% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.
Air bags
15% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Whiled driving between 25 to 30 mp consumer's vehicle rear ended a heavy truck. Upon impact, neither of the front air bags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-12
The nearest Acura dealership to me does not have the airbag replacement part to repair my recalled vehicle. The Acura dealership has no idea when an airbag replacement for the vehicle will be available to complete the recall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-04-15
Suspension
13% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing shock absorber and lower ball joint.
Vehicle speed control
9% · 5 reportsShow complaint excerpts
While driving on an open stretch of highway, my 1998 Acura 3.0CL began accelerating without me pushing down on the accelerator pedal. The car reached a speed of 95 MPH, and I could not stop it with the brakes, they were completely useless.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-06
While backing out of a parking space consumer's vehicle suddenly lurched forward hitting another vehicle and pedestrians. No warning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-18
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998-02-12Power train98V018000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
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1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
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2002-06-14Electrical system02V120000 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…
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…
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2003-12-08Electrical system03V423000 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…
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.…
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2020-10-01Air bags20V026000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 8 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V018000 · Power train
- Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
- Recall 02V120000 · Electrical system
- Recall 03V423000 · Electrical system
- Recall 20V026000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Acura CL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Acura CL is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Acura CL?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Acura CL have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.