FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Acura CL problems

Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1997 Acura CL with NHTSA between 1996 and 2020. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 7 worst.

C

FaultScore 41/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Acura CL.

How this is worked out

The numbers

106

Complaints

5

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

122,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

7%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 51 vs 50 Severity 44 vs 50 Early failure 11 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 51
Against the median year of the Acura CL. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 44
8.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 11
7% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Acura CL

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Acura CL

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Median failure at 95,500 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 170,000 mi

Airbags 14 13.2%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 125,000 mi

Suspension 10 9.4%

Median failure at 122,000 miles

Median failure at 186,243 miles

Brakes 7 6.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 89 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 5.7%
Other & Unspecified 4 3.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 3.8%

Median failure at 149,750 miles

Body & Structure 4 3.8%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

Tires 3 2.8%
Seat Belts 2 1.9%
Steering 2 1.9%

Median failure at 154,121 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 0.9%
Seats 1 0.9%
Lights 1 0.9%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 13 33.3%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 5 12.8%
Frontal 5 12.8%
Switch 4 10.3%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 4 10.3%
Starter Assembly 3 7.7%
Engine 3 7.7%
Lower Ball Joint 2 5.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 3.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 3.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 10.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 20.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 23.3%
150,000+ miles 12 40.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 1996 peak 11 Aug 2020

Recalls on the 1997 Acura CL

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

02V120000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

Risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

99V069000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2002096 188,463 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started. Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 176,000 miles Ruidoso, NM Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW THE OWNER AND DRIVER OF A 1997 ACURA CL. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS STOPPED AND WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN A SEMI- TRUCK TURNED RUNNING OVER HER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER TO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND SEPARATED COLLAR BONE, AND OTHER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) WHICH COULD POSSIBLE BE THE CAUSE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.

NHTSA complaint #11322400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greensboro, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*JB

NHTSA complaint #8010425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesapeake, VA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

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.

NHTSA complaint #8003572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cedar Hills, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A 18 WHEELER, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR FIRST, WHICH MADE REAR END SPIN AROUND. VEHICLE WAS HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER'S SIDE. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE DRIVER'S FRONT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #858133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alhambra, CA Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

HORN BUTTON IS TOO SMALL, MAKING IT DIFFCULT TO LOCATE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION , WHICH HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN 2 ACCIDENTS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #855325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yonkers, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

AFTER (2) SEMI FAILURES THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY ON 9/2/96 IN THE DRIVEWAY LEADING TO THE GARAGE AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A WALL.

NHTSA complaint #802155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 300,000 miles Land O Lakes, FL

AIR BAGS

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 complaint #11349192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11338607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorodo Springs, CO

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. PIKES PEAK ACURA (655 AUTOMOTIVE DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11326017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 176,000 miles Ruidoso, NM Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW THE OWNER AND DRIVER OF A 1997 ACURA CL. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS STOPPED AND WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN A SEMI- TRUCK TURNED RUNNING OVER HER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER TO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND SEPARATED COLLAR BONE, AND OTHER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) WHICH COULD POSSIBLE BE THE CAUSE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.

NHTSA complaint #11322400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daly City, CA

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11319178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daly City, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11319178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daly City, CA

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11319178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Darlington, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM ON MY 3RD TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2012

NHTSA complaint #11076546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 218,000 miles Dinuba, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SOMETIMES DON'T START

NHTSA complaint #10970842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 186,243 miles Fresno, CA

STEERING

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 complaint #10966385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 186,243 miles Fresno, CA

ENGINE

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 complaint #10966385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OR IT SEEMS AS IF THE CAR IS LOCKED. THE KEY WILL GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL TURN BUT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE IT OUT VERY EASILY. LASTLY THE KEY SOMETIMES WILL NOT ENTER THE HOLE. TRIED SWITCHING THE SIDES OVER AND SOMETIMES IT WORKS AFTER 2 OR 3 TRIES.

NHTSA complaint #10902989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 complaint #10886174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Lynchburg, VA

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #10585337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Lynchburg, VA

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #10585337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Woodland, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10412306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10407789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 212,000 miles Duluth, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10359194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 152,072 miles Portland, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE IN PARK OR DRIVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,072.

NHTSA complaint #10359136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 212,000 miles Duluth, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10359194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Dallas, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 complaint #10284770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Washington, DC

STRUCTURE

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?

NHTSA complaint #10280082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Brentwood, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, SHE HAD TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. SHE ALSO HAD TO HOLD THE KEYS IN THE ON POSITION TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. ONCE AT THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #10247585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Vero Beach, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PURCHASED VEHICLE @ 103,000 MILES, DROVE IT 2000 MILES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE, "D" STARTED TO FLASH AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF 2ND GEAR. AFTER PROPER DIAGNOSIS, FOUND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE(AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM) REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH OEM UNIT, STILL (AND HAVE HAD SINCE DAY ONE, A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION)PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, STILL HAD HESITATION WITH OR WITHOUT AC ON-PRIOR OWNER HAD SAME PROBLEM, UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM TO THIS DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10238922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Mountain View, CA

STEERING

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 complaint #10238151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.