Model year guide

1998 Acura CL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Acura CL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1998 Acura CL — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Acura CL at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints57
Typical price$2,040

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Acura CL recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V026000 · 17/01/2020

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 Inflator…

Fix: 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 o…

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #02V120000 · 16/05/2002

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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #03V423000 · 27/10/2003

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."

Fix: 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. OWN…

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #99V069000 · 10/05/1999

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch NHTSA Campaign #98V018000 · 10/02/1998

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 P…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Acura CL common problems

Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

What's a 1998 Acura CL worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$2,040
High
$3,200

From 5 comparable 1998 Acura CL listings.

1998 Acura CL trims & engines on record

Trims
3.0 Premium · 2.3 Premium
Engines
3.0L 4-cyl 200 hp · 2.3L 4-cyl 150 hp

1998 Acura CL vehicles on record

1998 Acura CL 1998 Acura CL 3.0 Premium19UYA2251WL013255 1998 Acura CL 1998 Acura CL 3.0 Premium19UYA2255WL001772 1998 Acura CL 1998 Acura CL 3.0 Premium19UYA2254WL012522 1998 Acura CL 2.3 Premium19UYA3251WL010457 1998 Acura CL 1998 Acura CL 3.0 Premium19UYA2251WL011425

Other Acura CL model years

2003 2002 2001 1999 1997

1998 Acura CL — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Acura CL have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1998 Acura CL. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Acura CL?

Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, structure.

How much is a 1998 Acura CL worth?

Comparable 1998 Acura CL listings run roughly $500–$3,200, typically around $2,040 (from 5 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.