1998 Acura TL Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 77,500miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Acura TL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1998 Acura TL. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and body and structure (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling9 45%
- Electrical system3 15%
- Body and structure2 10%
- Air bags1 5.0%
- Brakes1 5.0%
- Steering1 5.0%
- Suspension1 5.0%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My 1998 Acura 2.5 TL has had noticeable exhaust leak into the passenger compartment from about 100,000 miles point, since january 2008l about one year ago. All the outside smells come right in even though I always have vents and air cond or heater set to inside air only setting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260960, filed 2009-03, 100,000 milesElectrical system: “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 the vehicle in park sometimes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 12/19/14 updated 05/26/2015”
NHTSA complaint #10661180, filed 2014-11, 98,000 milesBody and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10023301, filed 2003-06, 62,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 willing to repair the transmission again.”
NHTSA complaint #10144125, filed 2005-12, 115,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 73,462 and 107,233 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Acura TL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V227000Aug 19, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
- 99V069000May 10, 1999Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1998, Honda Prelude 1996–1998 +4 more
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.
Recall details for the 1998 Acura TL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10193392Jan 1, 2017Equipment. Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10211608Mar 18, 2016Equipment. Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10037486Nov 1, 2010Tires. Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light is on, engine oil application guide, new…
- 10012910Feb 1, 2004Air bags. Airbag on off switch.
- 10014061Nov 16, 2002Brakes. Troubleshooting abs or tcs diagnostic trouble code 51 and/or 53.
Other model years of the Acura TL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17 | 36,000 | 3 | 4 | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 62 | 69,503 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 130 | 55,000 | 3 | 3–4 | 23 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 20 | 89,500 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 64 | 62,830 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 42 | 60,038 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 124 | 76,589 | 2 | — | 21 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 124 | 79,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 247 | 88,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 388 | 91,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 551 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 391 | 75,900 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 333 | 64,500 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 149 | 81,936 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 249 | 110,400 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 157 | 112,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 20 | 77,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 23 | 86,260 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 26 | 68,100 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Acura TL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Acura TL have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1998 Acura TL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Acura TL is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1998 Acura TL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Acura TL reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,500 miles and the middle half falls between 73,462 and 107,233 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.