1997 Acura CL Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Acura CL most often report automatic transmission failures, with complaints describing harsh or delayed shifting, transmissions stuck in one gear, and in some cases the car stopping or losing drive while moving. A second recurring theme is ignition switch trouble, where the engine cuts out or the key will not turn or release, and many owners link this to a known ignition switch recall. Airbag warning lights and non-deployment, front ball joint wear, and ABS modulator leaks also come up repeatedly.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission failure and erratic shifting

   • 16 complaints (20%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2011

   Complaints describe transmissions that fail to shift when cold, hesitate or delay when selecting a gear, jump out of gear, or lock into a single gear such as second or fourth, sometimes with the check engine light on and the D4 indicator blinking. Several owners report the car losing drive entirely at highway speed. According to the complaints, dealers typically diagnosed internal transmission failure and quoted replacement costs in the thousands of dollars, and some owners say a rebuilt unit failed again later. Reported from low mileage up to roughly 190,000 miles, with many failures logged between about 68,000 and 110,000 miles; complaints mention cold-start shifting problems and highway-speed failures.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for service records on the automatic transmission, including any rebuild or replacement and its date and mileage. During a test drive, feel for delayed or harsh shifts when cold and check that the D4 or check engine light does not blink.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Malfunction indicator light came on. Dealer informed me that the primary control module for the transmission had failed. I will have to pay for the tests to isolate problem an for labor to repair. Acura will replace the PCM as 'goodwill' but as maintanance was done per Acura recommendations this problem should have been caught.”

   NHTSA complaint #749146, filed 2001-07

   “During a cold start, the automatic transmission fails to shift gears properly untill the engine is warm. Everyday since I have had the car, this has happened. The car is not under warrenty so replacing the transmission would cost me a few thousand dollars, which I am not prepared to spend.”

   NHTSA complaint #765224, filed 2002-08
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Engine cuts out, key hard to turn or remove (ignition

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 170,000 mi at 14.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2016

   Owners describe the engine shutting off without warning at speed, sometimes with a full loss of electrical power, and in some cases the car restarts only after being put in neutral or after holding the key in the on position. Others report the key becoming difficult to turn, stuck in the ignition, or removable only in certain gear positions. Complaints describe dealers replacing the ignition switch and note that recall 02V120000 covers the ignition switch, though some owners say their vehicle was repaired under the recall and stalled again, or was told their vehicle was not included. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 88,000 miles to over 200,000 miles, and described as intermittent rather than tied to weather or temperature.

   Recall 02V120000

   What to check: Check whether recall 02V120000 was completed for this vehicle, and ask for documentation. Test that the key turns freely, starts the engine reliably, and can be removed in park, and note any history of stalling while driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10359194, filed 2010-10, 212,000 miles

   “1997 Acura CL 3.0 has problems with the ignition switch. The consumer vehicle was stalled out as she was driving. The consumer was advised in july 2004 that there was a recall and to take the vehicle to the nearest dealership, however in feb 2005, the vehicle began to stall again while traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was towed and upon examining the vehicle, the consumer was told the ignition switch was the source of the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10117453, filed 2005-03
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on and airbags not deploying

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 125,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2020

   Complaints describe the SRS or airbag warning light staying lit, with dealers diagnosing high resistance in the passenger-side airbag wiring or a failed relay, and some owners reporting the light returns after being reset. Several owners describe collisions in which the airbags did not deploy. Later complaints center on the Takata airbag recall, where owners report receiving recall notices but being told replacement parts were not yet available. Warning-light complaints appear from about 58,000 to 125,000 miles; the recall-related complaints are dated 2020 and are tied to parts availability rather than mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the Takata airbag recall has been completed and get written confirmation. Check that the SRS light goes out normally after the bulb-check sequence when the car is started.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon starting vehicle, srs indicator stayed illuminated. Vehicle has never been involved in an accident, and the airbag has never been deployed. Dealer has diagnosed as poor resistance in the wiring to or within the passenger side airbag. Dealer reset the indicator. If re-illumination occurs, dealer states a need to replace the airbag wiring harness or the airbag itself.”

   NHTSA complaint #10025447, filed 2003-07, 69,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349192, filed 2020-08, 300,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint wear and separation

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 122,000 mi at 11.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners describe squeaking or rattling from the front end, vibration through the steering wheel, and a feeling that the wheels are about to come loose. Some complaints describe a loud pop followed by loss of steering control after a lower ball joint separated. According to the complaints, dealers and owners have gone back and forth over whether the vehicle is covered by the front lower ball joint recall, with several owners told their vehicle was not included even though the symptom matched the recall description. Typically reported between roughly 77,000 and 190,000 miles, sometimes noticed after tire or brake work; complaints do not tie the symptom to a particular climate.

   Recall 99V069000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V069000 for the front lower ball joints was performed and get documentation. Have a mechanic inspect the front lower ball joints for play or torn boots before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There were a recall 99v069000. And, my vechile fits the quaifications: Acura 1997 3.0cl. However, when I called the dealer they told me that my VIN number doesn't qualifiy. But, the problem that is listed on the recall is the same exact problem that I have. Suspension:front:control arm: lower ball joint is not working correctly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10058395, filed 2004-02

   “On your web page for recalls, campaign #k59, it says that my vehicle is affected for recall of ball joints. Both local dealer and Acura claim that this recall only affects the model rl, and not my CL, as your recall states. Is there an error on your web page?”

   NHTSA complaint #735505, filed 2000-10
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS warning light and brake modulator leaks

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 89 mi at 9.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2006

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on, sometimes with a noise from the system, and a brake pedal that travels to the floor before the car stops. Owners report dealers diagnosing a failed or leaking ABS modulator and accumulator, and one owner noted brake fluid leaking onto a tire. Others describe repeated rotor resurfacing and replacement at low mileage. Reported from very low mileage (under 100 miles in one case) up to about 122,000 miles, with several complaints filed in the first few years of ownership.

   What to check: Check that the ABS light comes on with the ignition and then goes out, look for fluid weeping around the ABS modulator, and ask whether the modulator or accumulator has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car skidded out of control. No one got hurt. Abs instrument panel warning light came on. Leakage occurs on the ABS modulator which probably got on left tire to cause skid.”

   NHTSA complaint #10164010, filed 2006-07, 89 miles

   “Consumer has noticed ABS light illuminating on dashboard. Contacted dealer. Upon recall 99v069/ lower ball joint repairs, mechanic noticed ABS brake module and actuator have malfunctioned and caused a slight change in braking ability. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #876362, filed 2000-12

Buying note. A 1997 CL with documented transmission service or replacement is a more comfortable bet than one without, and it is worth confirming in writing that the ignition switch and Takata airbag recalls were completed. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the front lower ball joints, ABS modulator, and airbag warning light covers most of what owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.