1998 Acura Cl Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Acura Cl.

19971999
Complaints
69
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 1998 Acura Cl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#110 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:177,857 mi
#27 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:69,297 mi
#36 complaints

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Avg mileage:97,145 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Acura Cl.

Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
177,857
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,297
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
97,145
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
73,500
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
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
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Acura Cl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 1998 Acura Cl

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,439,841 vehicles.

20V026000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,439,841 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Other Acura Cl Years

1998 Acura Cl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1998 Acura Cl reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Acura Cl has 69 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Acura Cl?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (10 complaints, avg 177,857 mi); Airbags (7 complaints, avg 69,297 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (6 complaints, avg 97,145 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 1998 Acura Cl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 114,786 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Acura Cl?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Acura Cl include 2 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 3 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 1998 Acura Cl have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,439,841 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 1998 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.

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