1997 Acura Cl Problems
Typical for Model
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1997 Acura Cl.
Complaints
106
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Acura Cl Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#113 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:79,371 mi
#27 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:133,500 mi
Crash-related:1
#35 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:69,000 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Acura Cl.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | — | — | 79,371 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 1 | — | 133,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 2 | — | 69,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | 197,500 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,371
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
133,500
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,000
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
197,500
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Acura Cl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Acura Cl Years
1997 Acura Cl — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Acura Cl reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Acura Cl has 106 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Acura Cl?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (13 complaints, avg 79,371 mi); Airbags (7 complaints, avg 133,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (5 complaints, avg 69,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Acura Cl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 109,961 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Acura Cl?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Acura Cl include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Acura Cl have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Acura Cl as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Acura Cl?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Acura Cl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Acura Cl
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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