RoadVitals

1997 Acura Cl Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
82
Latest Aug 14, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Acura Cl, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical1616.7%
  • Airbags1414.6%
  • Engine88.3%
  • Brakes77.3%
  • Visibility66.3%
  • Body & structure44.2%
  • Driver assistance44.2%
  • Powertrain (other)33.1%
  • Tires & wheels33.1%
  • Seat belts22.1%
  • Steering22.1%
  • Interior & seats11.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1997 ACURA CL. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE SPEED. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND VIOLENT STOP, WITHOUT ANY FORWARD OR REVERSE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10407789 · filed Jun 15, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT WOULD COST $3000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID 10284770 · filed Sep 21, 2009
All 17 reports naming transmission

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES DON'T START

NHTSA ID 10970842 · filed Apr 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10886174 · filed Jul 20, 2016
All 16 reports naming electrical

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG RECALL WAS ISSUED IN MARCH 2020. HONDA ADVISES THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AS OF 8/14/2020.COULD BE UP TO A YEAR (FROM MARCH 2020) BEFORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11349192 · filed Aug 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO NORRIS ACURA (8559 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043; 443-574-1240) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11338607 · filed Jul 10, 2020
All 14 reports naming airbags

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10585337 · filed Apr 28, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURES CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE TIRE AND BUMPER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND DRIVE SHAFT CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

NHTSA ID 10238151 · filed Aug 14, 2008
All 9 reports naming suspension

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I NOTICED AN SRS LIGHT ON EVERY TIME AFTER I START THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE MOUNTING ARE BROKEN AND LOSE..

NHTSA ID 11319178 · filed Mar 24, 2020

THE 1997 ACURA CL HARMONICA BALENCER BOLT SNAPED OFF HAD TO GET IT REPLACED AND THREE WEEKS LATER HAPPEND AGAIN IN THE MIDDEL OFF THE STREET TRAFIC ALMOST CASING AN ACEDENT

NHTSA ID 10966385 · filed Mar 16, 2017
All 8 reports naming engine

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. NO ONE GOT HURT. ABS INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. LEAKAGE OCCURS ON THE ABS MODULATOR WHICH PROBABLY GOT ON LEFT TIRE TO CAUSE SKID. *NM

NHTSA ID 10164010 · filed Jul 31, 2006

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY CAN ONLY BE REMOVED WHEN IN NEUTRAL GEAR, CONSUMER HAD THE ENTIRE IGNITION REPLACED, LATER RECEIVED RECALL 02V12 AND STATES MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE. *SLC

NHTSA ID 786436 · filed Aug 20, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER PARKING MY CAR I WENT INTO A STORE. WHEN I RETURNED MY WINDOW WAS DOWN 3/4 OF THE WAY AND I KNOW I DIDN'T LEAVE IT DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS POORING DOWN RAIN OUTSIDE. AS IT TURNS OUT MY WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP, I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE WINDOW DOWN, MY SEAT GOT SOAKED WITH RAIN. AS OF NOW MY WINDOW I FOUND OUT THAT A CLIP IN THE WINDOW BROKE. I AM VERY ANGRY BECAUSE MY CAR IS A 97 AND I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD IT 2 YEARS. I GUESS I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED NOW BUT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT HONDA MANUFACTURED WINDOW PROBLEMS. I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO TELL SOMEONE MY STORY.*AK

NHTSA ID 10059060 · filed Feb 26, 2004

I WAS DRIVING A LONG LAST WEEK IN MY 1997 ACURA 2.2CL THAT I JUST PURCHASED LAST AUGUST 2002, WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES ON IT NOW WITH 47,000 MILES AND I WENT TO PUT DOWN MY DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW AND THE WINDOW JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR. THIS SHOULD NO WAY HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW "RUNNER" AND NEW CABLES IN THE DOOR. APPROXIMATELY A 200-250$ JOB WHICH I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR WHEN MY CAR IS AT SUCH YOUNG MILEAGE. I COULD SEE IF I HAD TO REPLACE A BELT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE ENGINE, NO PROBLEM, BUT A WINDOW, NO WAY!*AK

NHTSA ID 10037056 · filed Sep 2, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR IS SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, TISCHER OF LAUREL WHO HAS PROVIDED ME WITH EXCELLENT CARE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. MY MANUAL AND MY MECHANIC HAVE DETAILED PRETTY MUCH WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED AS A REPLACEMENT COST THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THAT IS WHAT LEADS ME TO THIS POINT, BEING DIAGNOSED WITH A BALL BEARING FALLING OUT OF THE PACKING IN THE FRONT DRIVE OF MY 2.2 CL WITH THE MILEAGE AND A RECORD THAT ANYONE WOULD WANT WAS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I?VE DONE SOME RESEARCH WHICH REVEALS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE ACURA CL 2.2 WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO WHY ACURA VOLUNTARILY DISCONTINUED THIS MODEL. THERE IS NO INDICATION IN MY OWNER?S MANUAL THAT THIS WILL EVER BE A PROBLEM. AGAIN I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR AND MY MECHANICS CAN VERIFY THAT IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. THIS LEADS ME TO TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY? I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT THE CONSUMER. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IN 1999 AND HAS NO TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED MAJOR. IF WE WERE DISCUSSING A CAR THAT WAS ITS CURRENT AGE AND 250,000 OR MORE MILES I WOULD NOT CARE, CONSIDERING MY DRIVING SKILLS AND MAINTENANCE RECORD. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THERE ARE DESIGN FLAWS IN MY BELOVED CL 2.2 WHICH WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO THE BUYER AND WERE NOT A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED. INSTEAD, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO DISCONTINUE THIS MODEL. IN LATER MODELS ACURA RL AND TSX THE AXEL IS DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY. HONDA/ACURA KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED MR. IWAMURA OF ACURA WHO SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY? THERE IS NO WAY A CONSUMER WOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS OUT. CAN YOU HELP WITH ACURA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID 10280082 · filed Aug 11, 2009

I WAS DRIVING A LONG LAST WEEK IN MY 1997 ACURA 2.2CL THAT I JUST PURCHASED LAST AUGUST 2002, WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES ON IT NOW WITH 47,000 MILES AND I WENT TO PUT DOWN MY DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW AND THE WINDOW JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR. THIS SHOULD NO WAY HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW "RUNNER" AND NEW CABLES IN THE DOOR. APPROXIMATELY A 200-250$ JOB WHICH I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR WHEN MY CAR IS AT SUCH YOUNG MILEAGE. I COULD SEE IF I HAD TO REPLACE A BELT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE ENGINE, NO PROBLEM, BUT A WINDOW, NO WAY!*AK

NHTSA ID 10037056 · filed Sep 2, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1997 ACURA CL CUTS OFF/QUITS WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL NOT RESTART AT FIRST BUT AFTER A REST IT WILL RESTART. THIS HAPPENED OVER 6 MONTH PERIOD. THEN IT WOULD NOT START BACK AT ALL. MANY REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING FUEL RELAY AND IGNITION SWITCH. CAR IS STILL STALLING UNEXPECTEDLY AND NOW REVS AT INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING. VERY UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10359194 · filed Oct 4, 2010

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID 10162423 · filed Jul 14, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10585337 · filed Apr 28, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURES CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE TIRE AND BUMPER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND DRIVE SHAFT CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

NHTSA ID 10238151 · filed Aug 14, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A SIDEWALL BUBBLE OF APPROXIMATELY 1.5 INCHES HAS FORMED ON EACH OF TWO RIGHT SIDE TIRES, NITTO NT 555 ZRS. ONE TIRE IS JUST OVER 1.5 YEARS OLD WITH UNDER 10,000 MILES ON IT. THE OTHER IS OLDER WITH MORE WEAR. THE TIRES ARE WORKING FINE CURRENTLY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT BE HAZARDOUS. SEARCHING THE NITTO SITE, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND AN MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, SO APPEAR TO HAVE NO RECOURSE TO GET THE TIRE REPLACED. (BOTH TIRES WERE ON THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT USED SO THERE IS NO RECEIPT). THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10164960 · filed Aug 8, 2006

THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE (BF GOODRICH G-FORCE T/A 205/55R16). *NLM A FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID 10020303 · filed Sep 12, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOR NO REASON, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT LOCKS UP. ONCE LOCKED UP, IT DOES NOT RETRACT, PASSENGER MUST UNBUCKLE SEAT BELT AND RETRACT IT COMPLETELY AND THEN RE-BUCKLE. THIS HAS EVEN HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WAS AT A SINGLE STAND STILL. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, AND ACURA KNOWS OF IT, BUT DOESN'T HAVE A FIX FOR IT. HAVING TO UNBUCKLE THE SEATBELT WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD IS VERY DANGEROUS - PLEASE HELP WITH THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID 707295 · filed Jun 8, 1999

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WHEN SECURED AROUND PASSENGER WILL LOCK UP FROM TIME TO TIME, EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL.

NHTSA ID 780982 · filed Oct 7, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE 1997 ACURA CL HARMONICA BALENCER BOLT SNAPED OFF HAD TO GET IT REPLACED AND THREE WEEKS LATER HAPPEND AGAIN IN THE MIDDEL OFF THE STREET TRAFIC ALMOST CASING AN ACEDENT

NHTSA ID 10966385 · filed Mar 16, 2017

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURES CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE TIRE AND BUMPER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND DRIVE SHAFT CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

NHTSA ID 10238151 · filed Aug 14, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COMPLETELY COLLAPSED DURING A REAR END COLLISION. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR INTIAL IMPACT WAS FROM A PICK UP TRUCK TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AS WELL AS BRUISED SHINS FROM IMPACT WITH UNDERSIDE OF DASH. *TT

NHTSA ID 8003572 · filed Feb 5, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .