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 PER YEAR
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
18% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.
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, 20180909
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, 20180227
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, 20121013
13% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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, 20200415
11% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20040306
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIANS. NO WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030618
7% of complaints: suspension — 4 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
WHEN DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, 1500RPMS THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND PULL FOR APPROX. 30 SECONDS OR UNTILL THE SPEED IS CHANGED.
NHTSA ODI report, 19980710
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.
Campaign 98V018000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SUS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Campaign 99V069000 — check if this car was fixed
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 VEHIC
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
Campaign 02V120000 — check if this car was fixed
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 REM
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. I
Campaign 03V423000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V026000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V018000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V120000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V423000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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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 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Acura CL have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.