1998 Acura CL Problems

What owners report

Ignition switch problems are the most common theme here, with owners describing stalls or power loss while driving, and keys that will not come out or an engine that keeps running after the key is removed. Airbag recall repairs were delayed by missing parts, and other reports describe transmission failures, sudden acceleration, and front-end vibration or broken suspension parts. Where mileage is listed, reports range from 45,000 to 344,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch faults causing stalls or no shutoff

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 110,017 mi at 12.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2018

   Owners describe the car shutting off or losing all power while driving, including at about 55 to 70 mph, and in some cases the steering and brakes went out with it. Other reports describe the ignition failing to shut off, with the engine still running after the key is removed or the key stuck in the ignition. Some say the dealer suspected the ignition switch even though a recall repair was already recorded, and that the owner would have to pay for the replacement. A complaint says a dealer found no active recall, and a recall notice is described as still unrepaired. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 87,000 to 344,000 miles, and some describe a problem returning after a recall repair.

   Recall 02V120000Recall 03V423000

   What to check: Confirm with the dealer whether ignition switch recalls 02V120000 and 03V423000 were completed, and test that the engine shuts off and the key comes out normally when parked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11075216, filed 2018-02, 95,000 miles

   “The ignition switch on my 98 Acura 3.0cl is degrading and my power steering is going out, and the car accessories still run just not the car, and the theft light is coming on, I've just found out about the recall after I purchased the vehicle on the 14-15th of november 2006.”

   NHTSA complaint #10173808, filed 2006-11, 114,535 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag recall repairs waiting on missing parts

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 219,500 mi at 16.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2020

   Owners describe receiving notice of the Takata airbag recall for this model and then being told the repair part is not available. Some describe a dealer or the manufacturer saying parts would come in a later quarter, or that no date was known. Complaints say the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair. None of these reports lists mileage, and all were filed between April and October 2020.

   Recall 20V026000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether airbag recall 20V026000 has been completed, and ask for the expected part date in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321187, filed 2020-04

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11354950, filed 2020-09
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure, slipping, or rough shifting

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 85,470 mi at 13.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe transmissions that fail, slip, or shift roughly, with the car jumping, gears not shifting smoothly, and the vehicle failing to accelerate. Some describe the car rolling forward or revving high and bogging down when pulling away from a stop. Some reports say the transmission had to be replaced, and a complaint says other mechanics suggested coasting could have overheated it. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 62,000 to 107,940 miles, and the gear problems are described as worsening over a few weeks.

   What to check: Ask whether any transmission replacement or repair is recorded, and test-drive from a stop to check for slipping, bogging, or rough shifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We had to replace our transmission after 70000miles, we had to replace a drivers side electric window twice, check engine light always stays on nothing wrong, car stalled going 45mphs fixed that problem other lights now stay on no matter if nothing is wrong, this car isn't worth the money too many problems and they tell me my VIN number doesn't fit the recalls but we have the same problems, I'm going to start raising a stink it's ridiculous,”

   NHTSA complaint #10641153, filed 2014-10, 62,000 miles

   “I own a 1998 Acura CL 2.3 the transmission has gone out for the third time. Some of the things I find dangerous are the fact that the car when sitting at a stop and then proceding to accelerate revved to high rpms and then bogs down and barely moves. I was sitting at a red light going to make a right turn and when I accelerated the car rolled forward at a very slow pace like it was in a really high gear even after depressing the accelerator half way down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10083197, filed 2004-08
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration without pedal input

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 73,500 mi at 9.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2010

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own or lurching forward with little pedal input, including while backing out of a space and while nearly stopped. A report describes reaching about 95 mph without pedal input, and says the brakes did not stop the car until the transmission was put into park. A complaint says the brakes did not slow the car after a light tap on the accelerator, and that the car went through a concrete barrier. Where mileage is listed, reports range from 64,000 to 83,000 miles, and the low-speed events happen while backing or nearly stopped.

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the throttle and accelerator pedal have been inspected, and test the pedal and brake response at low speed before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Runaway car: I backed out of a business parking space and barely tapped on the accelerator to move forward. I know I hardly touched the accelerator because I was goinig to make an immediate turn onto a side streeet with a stop sign. As soon as I tapped the gas pedal, the car went forward with full power. My foot went to the brake instantly but the brakes did nothing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10310346, filed 2010-02, 83,000 miles

   “While driving on an open stretch of highway, my 1998 Acura 3.0cl began accelerating without me pushing down on the accelerator pedal. The car reached a speed of 95 MPH, and I could not stop it with the brakes, they were completely useless. I had to slam the transmission into park to make the car slow down. When the car began to slow down to 60 MPH I used the emergency brake to bring it to a stop. The engine was wound up at this point due to the accelerator still being stuck. I shut the engine off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10060569, filed 2004-03, 64,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Vibration, wobble, and broken suspension parts

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 12.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2015

   Owners describe severe front-end vibration at about 60 mph, or wobbling that alignments and new tires did not fix. Other reports describe a lower ball joint that broke in half and a front axle bearing that failed, with a wheel coming off and the driver losing control. The bearing complaint says there were no earlier vibrations or shaking. Mileage is listed only for the axle bearing report, at 109,000 miles.

   Recall 99V069000

   What to check: Ask a mechanic to inspect the ball joints, control arms and wheel bearings on a lift, and check for vibration at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 luxury car it should ride smooth and it is not.”

   NHTSA complaint #10020528, filed 2003-05

   “There was not any event leading up to the failure. I own an Acura 1998 CL. Coming home from vacation yesterday on route 79 in west virginia, going 70 miles/hour, my right front axle bearing just broke in half, and my wheel fell off causing me to lose control of my vehicle. Luckily, I was able to get the vehicle off of the highway. I just had my car inspected in february. There was no wear of the tire to indicate a problem. No vibrations, no shaking, absolutely no indication there was a problem with that very important part of my vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10074679, filed 2004-06, 109,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, confirm with the dealer that the ignition switch recalls and the airbag recall 20V026000 have been completed, and ask for records of any transmission or suspension repairs. On a test drive, check that the engine shuts off normally with the key, and test brake and throttle response at low speed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 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.