1998 Acura CL
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 18 of 55 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 82 in 1997 to 55 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1998 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–24 | 20–24 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–22 / 26–28 | 17–21 / 26–29 | 17–21 / 26–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–444 | 370–444 | 370–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 82 | 55 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Acura CL have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Acura CL?
Electrical: 18 of 55 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Acura CL get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Acura CL?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V026000 · Jan 21, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 03V423000 · Oct 30, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 02V120000 · May 20, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 99V069000 · May 10, 1999
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · Campaign 98V018000 · Feb 10, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.