1998 Acura CL: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had scheduled an appointment at roper honda dealer (902 n rangeline rd, joplin, mo 64801) and was informed the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that part was not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirmed part not available. *bf*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called napleton's palm beach acura (6870 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33411; (888) 980-7593) and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Naples acura located at 659 airport-pulling rd, naples, fl 34104, (239)330-4212, was contacted by phone and confirmed the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.*bf*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. Crown acura located at 18911 us 19 north clear water fl 33764, (888) 642-5567) and the manufacturer were contacted on multiple occasions and the contact was informed that parts would be available fourth quarter of 2020. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“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. The dealer did not change the part in 2012 because the dealer could not replicate the complaint.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact stated that the srs warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,594.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 acura cl. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, while driving. The contact stated the vehicle could be restarted however, it took numerous attempts. The contact stated once the vehicle stalled, the immobilizer warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness for the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been repaired for NHTSA campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system). The failure occurred daily. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“It is my drivers side window the window part in door that cause window to go up and down breaks at any given time it just happened again I looked in acura forum where it's everyone is having problems same thing and the company new about the problem did it anyway and hoped no recall would come about. Now this is shades practice I went to roll my window down a bee was in car I was driving and couldn't just pull over on free way. My window broke again I got stung I'm swollen from sting and all cause couldn't roll down a window that should always work! I have had it with acura.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Acura CL reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Acura CL. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Acura CL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,612 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Acura CL have open recalls?
5 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.