1998 Acura CL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
96,612 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 45 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 17.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Air Bags: 7; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 2; Steering: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
2000: 3; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 9; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2018: 2; 2020: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059154 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060569 · 2004-03-06 (March 6, 2004)
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. I AM RETURNING THIS CAR TO ACURA AND MAY …
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081717 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)
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 WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THEY FAILED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641153 · 2014-10-03 (October 3, 2014)
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, *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129987 · 2005-07-25 (July 25, 2005)
HAD INGINTION SWITCH CHANGED ON RECALL OF 2003 ON 2-19-04. NOW I AM HAVING IGNITION FAILURE ALREADY AFTER 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY SCARY GOING 70 MPS ON INTERSTATE AND HAVE CAR DIE, NO POWER STERRING, NO BRAKES. WHY WOULD THIS BE HAPPENING ALREADY? MORE FAULTY INGNITION SWITCHES FROM ACURA?
Owner-reported narrative. 89,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281369 · 2009-08-22 (August 22, 2009)
I CANNOT OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS AN EASY FIX SO I HAVE GONE TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO HAVE IT CHECKED. AUTO, MECHANIC, BODY SHOP MECHANIC AN A LOCKSMITH, I EVEN WENT TO FREEMAN STEREO TO SEE IF IT WAS ELECTRICAL. THEY ALL SAID THAT IT IS THE DOOR CATCH, IT IS GOING TO COST ME 400.00. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CATCH AND THE BODY SHOP HAS HAD 4 HONDA, ACURAS HE SAID IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. HE SAID THAT IT IS WELL NOTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATCHES. WELL, I CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR IN C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10281369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480501 · 2012-10-13 (October 13, 2012)
AT 55 MPH THE CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. CONTACTING THE COMPANY ABOUT A RECALL THAT I SAW ON THE INTERNET THE COMPANY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY COMPLETED ON MY CAR. I DID NOT REMEMBER IT BEING DONE BUT TOLD THEM THAT THE PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OWNING THE CAR IN 344,000 MILES HAS NOW STARTED. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX IT BUT COULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL PART OF IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THAT THEY DID…
Owner-reported narrative. 344,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049667 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)
1998 ACURA CL 3.0. THE STEERING IS LOOSE. IMPERFECTIONS OF THE ROAD PULL THE STEERING WHEEL. SOMETIMES DANGEROUSLY SO. SOMETIMES DEPENDING ON THE DEFECT IN THE ROAD AND THE DRIVING EVENT (EVASIVE MANEUVER, HEAVY BREAKING) THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP IN ONES' LANE. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE FORUMS, AND THIS PROBLEMS EFFECTS OTHER ACURA OWNERS, UNLIKE OTHER ISSUES, THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE A MYSTERY. PLEASE HELP. SINCERELY ROBERT GENTILE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173808 · 2006-11-19 (November 19, 2006)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 114,535 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173808 at NHTSA ↗