MYRModel Year Report

1998 Acura TL

○ Not enough data
1998 Acura TL
RENDERED 2026-09-16T19:57:48.767Z

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

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.

Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura TL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1995: 1 complaints 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 332 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2004: 551 complaints 2004 2005: 388 complaints 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2014
1998: 20 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199626
199723
199820
1999157
2000249
2001149
2002332
2003391
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 20 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

9 of 20 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and emission control.

Show complaint excerpts

1998 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE OR CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SEEKS GOODWILL ASSISTANCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE CODE INDICATED A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR AND THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130116

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 of 20 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing horn.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE POSITION, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141128

HORN BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS A DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS TOO SMALL (3/4" BY 1"} AND IN A EMERGENCY OR PANIC SITUATION, THE HORN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980929

THE BOTTON FOR THE HORN IS TOO SMALL TO LOCATE IN A PANIC SITUATION. DEALER SAYS THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980929

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 of 20 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

NO EVENTS INDICATING A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PEDAL BRAKE FOR 1998 ACURA FAILED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING IN STOP/GO MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OFF ROAD TREE AND WAS A TOTAL UNREPAIRABLE LOSS. POLICE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091117

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE PROCEEDING AT ABOUT 2 MILES PER HOUR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABOUT TWO FEET FROM THE END OF THE SPACE, ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, WENT OVER A...

NHTSA ODI report, 20020802

POWER TRAIN

2 of 20 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

STRUCTURE

2 of 20 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing trunk lid and body.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990517 — suspension

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

R 19990830 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

Campaign 99V227000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Acura TL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V227000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2013 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2003 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Acura TL reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Acura TL?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Acura TL have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.