RoadVitals

1999 Acura Cl

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
49
Latest Dec 14, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jan 17, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 49 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Acura Cl, most frequently naming the transmission, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 45 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V026000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 17, 2020
1,439,841 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number D8J, Z8GView on NHTSA.gov
03V423000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Oct 27, 2003
563,861 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: 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.
The 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.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.Manufacturer number 03-088/03-034View on NHTSA.gov
02V120000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

May 16, 2002
1,000,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 49
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCGRATH ACURA OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO (1301 N. ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642) FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE AIR BAGS HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE TO START OR FOR THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BEING DRAINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT CALLED AAA AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 248,000.

NHTSA ID
11383338
Incident
Jul 22, 2020
Mileage
248,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2020

UNABLE TO GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED AFTER MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OF THE RECALL NOTICE. I CONTACTED ACURA AND THEIR LOCAL DEALERS BUT WAS BEING BOUNCED AROUND WITHOUT ANY UPDATE IN TERMS OF PARTS AVAILABILITY OR TIMING FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS ANOTHER HONDA AIRBAG RELATED FATALITY REPORTED TODAY. ACURA NEEDS TO TAKE THE AIRBAG RECALL SERIOUSLY AFTER 6 MONTHS HAS ELAPSED.

NHTSA ID
11362726
Incident
Oct 4, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ANTONINO ACURA LOCATED AT 340 GOLD STAR HWY, GROTON, CT 06340, (860) 215-3165), AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11330828
Incident
Jan 17, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2020

I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM ACURA IN MARCH 2020 ABOUT A POTENTIAL MALFUNCTION OF MY AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT. IT IS APPROACHING JULY AND NO FOLLOW UP MESSAGE ON A REPAIR HAS BEEN PROVIDED. I CURRENTLY DRIVE THE CAR FOR WORK SO IF THIS ISSUE ISN'T RESOLVED SOON IT PRESENTS A BIG HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329649
Incident
Jun 18, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. GOLD COAST ACURA (3195 PERKIN AVE, VENTURA, CA 93003) AND ACURA OF THOUSAND OAKS (3945 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11325537
Incident
Mar 11, 2020
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND COASTING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A NHTSA RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 05946667 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,580.

NHTSA ID
10972144
Incident
Apr 11, 2017
Mileage
253,580 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 14, 2017

TAKATA AIR BAGS RECALL- WHY IS MY CAR NOT ON THE RECALL LIST? ARE THEY NOT GOING BACK TO 1999? IS IT OK TO DRIVE. ACCORDING THE NEWSPAPER REPORTS, THE OLDER MODELS ARE AT HIGHER RISKS.

NHTSA ID
10945245
Incident
Jul 2, 1999
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Nov 4, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE TURNED IN THE LEFT DIRECTION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A MAN HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 02/02/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10788306
Incident
Oct 29, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

RFI20210312_BB64

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This SKU is a bushing kit. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the retail package label for accuracy. If the label is incorrect, the customer may have difficulty locating the desired product. If the labels are left incorrect, sales may be less than forecasted.

B98015

EQUIPMENT

Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.

B99-040

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN UPDATES THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES FOR DTC P1456 (EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM LEAKAGE [FUEL TANK SYSTEM]) AND DTC P1457 (EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM LEAKAGE[EVAP CANISTER SYSTEM]). DEPENDING ON THE MODEL, THERE ARE TWO INDIVIDUAL PROCEDURES IN THIS BULLETIN."

SB-0708

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM

090105

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

HOMELINK WON'T PROGRAM WITH AFTERMARKET REMOTES. *JB

01162005

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

P1706 A/T SWITCH SHORT OR OPEN. *EH

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura Cl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004100—
2003735461.2
2002442146.7
20012713155.5
2000110036.3
1999Viewing493047.9
1998555049.0
1997822046.5

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.