VehicleVerdict

1998 Acura CL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Acura CL is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 69 owner complaints run below the CL median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (26% of the total).

69

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other CL years?

CL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted317 complaints1997: 106 complaints1998: 69 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 317 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 89 complaints2004: 2 complaints
CL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CL years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Acura CL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1826%
Transmission1014%
Airbags812%
Suspension710%
Speed Control57%
Engine57%
Steering46%
Fuel System34%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Latches & Locks23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Other11%
Body & Structure11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1998 Acura CL have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

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.

03V423000Electrical SystemOctober 27, 2003 · 563,861 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

02V120000Electrical SystemMay 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

99V069000SuspensionMay 10, 1999 · 124,875 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V018000TransmissionFebruary 10, 1998 · 33,966 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE IS THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING WHEN THE KEY IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 11, 2008

“THERE WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING NOT CONNECTING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER REPLACED SOME PARTS WITHIN THE STEERING COUPLING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE WILL GO FROM LANE TO LANE. ALSO, THERE ARE GAS FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE/…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“WHILED DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MP CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A HEAVY TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 12, 2004 · crash

“A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE WOBBLING. TOOK IT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT THAT DID NOT WORK SO THEN I BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT TO ACURA AND THEY CLAIM IT IS THE TIRES SO I CHANGED THE TIRES WITH WIDER TIRES STILL THE PROBLEM IS THERE . MY CAR IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 22, 2002

“THE VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY STALL ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN OFF, EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 9, 2004

1998 Acura CL — common questions

Is the 1998 Acura CL reliable?

It is close to typical for the CL: 69 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 CL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), transmission (10 complaints), airbags (8 complaints).

Does the 1998 Acura CL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Acura CL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura CL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CL years to avoid are 2001, 1997, 2003. The cleanest record among CL years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.