Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1998 Acura TL — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
22
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 41% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 3 | 14% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 2 | 9% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 2 | 9% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 1 | 5% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 1 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 5% | — flat |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence
THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL HAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THIS ON THE 96 & 97 TL'S BUT WILL NOT FOR THE 1998. I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCH THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO THE BODY STYLE OR ENGINE BETWEEN THE 96 -98 SO WHY WON'T THEY COVER THE 98? *NM”
“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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD FORGET TO PLACE…”
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V227000 FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY, AND THEY WERE NOT…”
“TO REPAIR A TRUNK LEAK MY DEALER FOUND THE TAIL LIGHT GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES FAILED ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE TRUNK. HE FURTHER STATED THIS IS COMMON IN THE BODY STYLE CAR I OWN AND THAT OTHER MODELS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER REPAIRS OF THIS NATURE. *NLM”
“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 BUMPER, AND PROCEEDED TO GO DOWN A HILL, PART ON…”
The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (9 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TL years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2006, 2000. The cleanest record among TL years belongs to 1995.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.