1998 Acura TL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 17 complaints (41.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023301 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 62,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067807 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN A COLLISION THAT TOTALLED THE CAR. WE WANT THE INFORMATION INSIDE THE AIRBAG COMPUTER READ/EXTRACTED. WE SUSPECT INSURANCE FRAUD IN THIS INCIDENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 69,933 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081239 · 2004-07-17 (July 17, 2004)
EXHAUST SYSTEM ON THE 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED AND NOW AS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. I WAS ALDO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CASES WERE THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT YOU SEE REPEATED IN A PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS IT NOT FAIRLY SAFE TO SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURE? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE CONSUMERS THE EXPENSE OF ABOUT $1200.00 TO REPAIR WHAT SEEMS OBVIOUS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090277 · 2004-11-02 (November 2, 2004)
ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE PRODUCED AN EXTREME LOUD NOISE. *AK MANIFOLD REPLACED. TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097010 · 2004-12-03 (December 3, 2004)
CONSUMER STATES THE BOLT ON THE VEHICLE BROKE. RECALL NUMBER 99V227000 THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE . THE CONSUMER WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. JB *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106272 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 73,462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106575 · 2005-01-18 (January 18, 2005)
PART B TO ODI# 10106272 FORGOT TO NOTE THAT EXHAUST COMES INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRESH AIR INTAKE AND GIVES ME HEADACHES ON LONG TRIPS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 73,462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128711 · 2005-07-14 (July 14, 2005)
AUTO TECHNICIAN HAS DETERMINED THAT 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL HAS A CRACKED MANIFOLD. SAME VEHICLE FROM 1995-97 HAS BEEN MANDATED BY NHTSA TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURER. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE YEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS MANDATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 77,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128711 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V069000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-10 (May 10, 1999)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V227000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1999-08-19 (August 19, 1999)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗