1997 Acura CL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2002
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Airbag recall was issued in march 2020. Honda advises that no replacement parts are available as of 8/14/2020.could be up to a year (from march 2020) before parts are available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact reached out to norris acura (8559 baltimore national pike, ellicott city, md 21043; 443-574-1240) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. Pikes peak acura (655 automotive dr, colorado springs, co 80905) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The 1997 acura cl harmonica balencer bolt snaped off had to get it replaced and three weeks later happend again in the middel off the street trafic almost casing an acedent”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2017
“Sometimes the key will not turn or it seems as if the car is locked. The key will get stuck in the ignition and will not turn. Sometimes the key will turn but will not allow me to take it out very easily. Lastly the key sometimes will not enter the hole. Tried switching the sides over and sometimes it works after 2 or 3 tries.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph and making a hard right turn, there was a loud pop sound heard as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's house. The contact stated that the driver's side lower ball joint was fractured and became detached. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. Updated 6/10/14*cn also, the driver's side cv axle was replaced. Updated 07/08/1”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2014
“1997 acura cl. Consumer states transmission locked up while driving interstate speed. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle came to an abrupt and violent stop, without any forward or reverse. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was then pulled over to the shoulder of the road. After turning the key in the ignition the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2011
“1997 acura cl cuts off/quits while driving. It will not restart at first but after a rest it will restart. This happened over 6 month period. Then it would not start back at all. Many repairs were attempted which included changing fuel relay and ignition switch. Car is still stalling unexpectedly and now revs at intervals while driving. Very unreliable and dangerous to drive. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura 3.0 cl. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition while in park or drive. The contact noticed NHTSA campaign id number: 02v120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 152,072.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Acura CL reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Acura CL. The most complained-about area is power train (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Acura CL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 112,354 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Acura CL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.