Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 1998 Acura TL with NHTSA between 1998 and 2014.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 17 of 19 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Acura TL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Acura TL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
940.9%
Median failure at 74,000 miles
Electrical System
313.6%
Median failure at 98,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
29.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi
Body & Structure
29.1%
Median failure at 107,750 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
29.1%
Median failure at 115,000 miles
Suspension
14.5%
Median failure at 107,233 miles
Brakes
14.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi
Steering
14.5%
Airbags
14.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,933 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
640.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
213.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
533.3%
150,000+ miles
213.3%
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 1998peak 2Nov 2014
Recalls on the 1998 Acura TL
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991565,689 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the transmission case bolt which allows service access to disconnect the differential from the transmission could loosen and fall out. If the bolt falls out, the extension shaft could disengage from the differential, disconnecting the drive train between the transmission and the differential. This could cause the vehicle to lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting to the PARK position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set. Correction: An updated transmission case bolt (with an o-ring instead of thread lock/sealer) will be installed on affected vehicles.
Recall 199910110,190 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front suspension lower ball joints may prematurely wear out due to improper finishing of the surface of the spherical portion of the ball joints between the front lower arm and knuckle. Although a loosening ball joint will emit some noise, in the worst case the ball joint may separate without prior warning. A separated ball joint can result in an apparent sudden loss of power, reduced steering control and a possible crash. Correction: The front suspension lower ball joints will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 115,000 milesWestfield, NJCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO EVENTS INDICATING A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PEDAL BRAKE FOR 1998 ACURA FAILED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING IN STOP/GO MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OFF ROAD TREE AND WAS A TOTAL UNREPAIRABLE LOSS. POLICE INVESTIGATED. CAR OCCUPANTS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NO OTHER PERSONAL INJURIES. ONLY MINOR PROPERTY COLLATERAL PROPERTY DAMAGES. REPORTED TO AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER AND HONDA AMERICA. HONDA AMERICA DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE OR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THE GAS PEDAL WAS MISTAKENLY ENGAGED INSTEAD OF THE PEDAL BRAKE. CONFIRMED BY HA LETTER. ACURA OWNER SETTLED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS CONCLUSION SEEMS INCONSISTENT WITH EARLIER NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS INTO 1990S ACURAS AS I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE FROM HTTP://CONSUMERHASSOFSHAME.HOMESTEAD.COM///INDEX~NS4.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10292489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesWestfield, NJCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO EVENTS INDICATING A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PEDAL BRAKE FOR 1998 ACURA FAILED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING IN STOP/GO MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OFF ROAD TREE AND WAS A TOTAL UNREPAIRABLE LOSS. POLICE INVESTIGATED. CAR OCCUPANTS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NO OTHER PERSONAL INJURIES. ONLY MINOR PROPERTY COLLATERAL PROPERTY DAMAGES. REPORTED TO AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER AND HONDA AMERICA. HONDA AMERICA DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE OR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THE GAS PEDAL WAS MISTAKENLY ENGAGED INSTEAD OF THE PEDAL BRAKE. CONFIRMED BY HA LETTER. ACURA OWNER SETTLED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS CONCLUSION SEEMS INCONSISTENT WITH EARLIER NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS INTO 1990S ACURAS AS I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE FROM HTTP://CONSUMERHASSOFSHAME.HOMESTEAD.COM///INDEX~NS4.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10292489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,933 milesCastle Rock, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN A COLLISION THAT TOTALLED THE CAR. WE WANT THE INFORMATION INSIDE THE AIRBAG COMPUTER READ/EXTRACTED. WE SUSPECT INSURANCE FRAUD IN THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10067807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Teaneck, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE PROCEEDING AT ABOUT 2 MILES PER HOUR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABOUT TWO FEET FROM THE END OF THE SPACE, ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, WENT OVER A BUMPER, AND PROCEEDED TO GO DOWN A HILL, PART ON SOME CONCRETE STAIRS AND PART ON GRASS. I BRAKED ALL THE WAY AND STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF TWO SETS OF STAIRS. SWITCHED CAR INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE WAS RACING, AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. CAR WAS TOTALLED. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #763813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 98,000 milesLower Burrell, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE POSITION, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD FORGET TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK SOMETIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 12/19/14*CN UPDATED 05/26/2015
NHTSA complaint #10661180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE Woodlands, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1998 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE OR CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SEEKS GOODWILL ASSISTANCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE CODE INDICATED A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR AND THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10492802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesWestfield, NJCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO EVENTS INDICATING A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PEDAL BRAKE FOR 1998 ACURA FAILED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING IN STOP/GO MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OFF ROAD TREE AND WAS A TOTAL UNREPAIRABLE LOSS. POLICE INVESTIGATED. CAR OCCUPANTS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NO OTHER PERSONAL INJURIES. ONLY MINOR PROPERTY COLLATERAL PROPERTY DAMAGES. REPORTED TO AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER AND HONDA AMERICA. HONDA AMERICA DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE OR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THE GAS PEDAL WAS MISTAKENLY ENGAGED INSTEAD OF THE PEDAL BRAKE. CONFIRMED BY HA LETTER. ACURA OWNER SETTLED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS CONCLUSION SEEMS INCONSISTENT WITH EARLIER NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS INTO 1990S ACURAS AS I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE FROM HTTP://CONSUMERHASSOFSHAME.HOMESTEAD.COM///INDEX~NS4.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10292489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesWestfield, NJCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO EVENTS INDICATING A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PEDAL BRAKE FOR 1998 ACURA FAILED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING IN STOP/GO MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT AN OFF ROAD TREE AND WAS A TOTAL UNREPAIRABLE LOSS. POLICE INVESTIGATED. CAR OCCUPANTS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NO OTHER PERSONAL INJURIES. ONLY MINOR PROPERTY COLLATERAL PROPERTY DAMAGES. REPORTED TO AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER AND HONDA AMERICA. HONDA AMERICA DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE OR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THE GAS PEDAL WAS MISTAKENLY ENGAGED INSTEAD OF THE PEDAL BRAKE. CONFIRMED BY HA LETTER. ACURA OWNER SETTLED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS CONCLUSION SEEMS INCONSISTENT WITH EARLIER NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS INTO 1990S ACURAS AS I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE FROM HTTP://CONSUMERHASSOFSHAME.HOMESTEAD.COM///INDEX~NS4.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10292489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesEL Cerrito, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL HAS HAD NOTICEABLE EXHAUST LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM ABOUT 100,000 MILES POINT, SINCE JANUARY 2008L ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. ALL THE OUTSIDE SMELLS COME RIGHT IN EVEN THOUGH I ALWAYS HAVE VENTS AND AIR COND OR HEATER SET TO "INSIDE AIR ONLY" SETTING. ALONG WITH EXHAUST I SMELL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ODOR, REFINERY ODOR WHEN I DRIVE PAST REFINERY, SKUNK SMELL WHEN I DRIVE OVER EVEN A SPOT WHERE A SKUNK WAS REMOVED A FEW DAYS AGO, ETC AND ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A YEAR AGO, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AS FAILED OXYGEN SENSOR BUT IT SEEMS THAT GOES WITH THE CRACKED ENGINE MANIFOLD. THIS WIDELY REPORTED CONDITION SHOULD BE A MFGR RECALL NOTICE. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE FAILURE TO RECALL OVER THIS PERSISTENT DEFECT. OWNERS NOW KNOW THAT IT WAS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM IN 1996 AND 1997 WHERE IT WAS A RECALL NOTICE ITEM; IT SHOULD BE FOR 1998 AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN THE MOST LOYAL OF ACURA OWNERS (THIS IS OUR FOURTH ACURA AS A FAMILY) BUT I AND MY HUSBAND WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE SUCH DISHONESTY IN ACURA CO.
NHTSA complaint #10260960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,233 milesSavannah, GA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 1998 ACURA TL 2.5 AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT SQUEAKS. WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR PARTS AT AUTOZONE I WAS ALERTED THAT MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINTS. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WONDERED IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET IT REPAIRED AT NO COST ?
NHTSA complaint #10247627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRedmond, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I OWN AN ACURA 2.5 TL MODEL YEAR 1998. I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER LAST YEAR THAT THERE WAS AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER QUOTED $2000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED SO FAR, BUT I FEAR THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES WERE INFILTRATING THE CABIN, AND WE WERE BREATHING EXHAUST FUMES WHEN IN THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO REPORTED WIDELY IN EARLIER MODEL YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10191197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesAnderson, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V227000 FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10144125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,500 milesLouisville, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
AUTO TECHNICIAN HAS DETERMINED THAT 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL HAS A CRACKED MANIFOLD. SAME VEHICLE FROM 1995-97 HAS BEEN MANDATED BY NHTSA TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURER. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE YEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS MANDATE.
NHTSA complaint #10128711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,462 milesDES Moines, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PART B TO ODI# 10106272 FORGOT TO NOTE THAT EXHAUST COMES INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRESH AIR INTAKE AND GIVES ME HEADACHES ON LONG TRIPS.
NHTSA complaint #10106575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,462 milesDES Moines, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL HAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THIS ON THE 96 & 97 TL'S BUT WILL NOT FOR THE 1998. I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCH THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO THE BODY STYLE OR ENGINE BETWEEN THE 96 -98 SO WHY WON'T THEY COVER THE 98?
NHTSA complaint #10106272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martinez, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THE BOLT ON THE VEHICLE BROKE. RECALL NUMBER 99V227000 THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE . THE CONSUMER WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. JB
NHTSA complaint #10097010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesJonesville, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE PRODUCED AN EXTREME LOUD NOISE. *AK MANIFOLD REPLACED. TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10090277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesJonesville, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE PRODUCED AN EXTREME LOUD NOISE. *AK MANIFOLD REPLACED. TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10090277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesLittle Rock, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM ON THE 1998 ACURA 2.5 TL. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED AND NOW AS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. I WAS ALDO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CASES WERE THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT YOU SEE REPEATED IN A PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS IT NOT FAIRLY SAFE TO SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURE? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE CONSUMERS THE EXPENSE OF ABOUT $1200.00 TO REPAIR WHAT SEEMS OBVIOUS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM?
NHTSA complaint #10081239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,933 milesCastle Rock, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN A COLLISION THAT TOTALLED THE CAR. WE WANT THE INFORMATION INSIDE THE AIRBAG COMPUTER READ/EXTRACTED. WE SUSPECT INSURANCE FRAUD IN THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10067807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,500 milesWinston-Salem, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
TO REPAIR A TRUNK LEAK MY DEALER FOUND THE TAIL LIGHT GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES FAILED ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE TRUNK. HE FURTHER STATED THIS IS COMMON IN THE BODY STYLE CAR I OWN AND THAT OTHER MODELS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER REPAIRS OF THIS NATURE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Teaneck, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE PROCEEDING AT ABOUT 2 MILES PER HOUR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABOUT TWO FEET FROM THE END OF THE SPACE, ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, WENT OVER A BUMPER, AND PROCEEDED TO GO DOWN A HILL, PART ON SOME CONCRETE STAIRS AND PART ON GRASS. I BRAKED ALL THE WAY AND STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF TWO SETS OF STAIRS. SWITCHED CAR INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE WAS RACING, AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. CAR WAS TOTALLED. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #763813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #743543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yurba, CA
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT A SPEED 45-55 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD IN SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST STRIKING SEVERAL VEHICLES.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. PLEASE THE STRUT ROD HAD BROKEN OFF THE REAR WHEEL SPINDLE ASSEMBLEY, THE WHEEL WENT UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #851750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encino, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE BOTTON FOR THE HORN IS TOO SMALL TO LOCATE IN A PANIC SITUATION. DEALER SAYS THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #828321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encino, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS A DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS TOO SMALL (3/4" BY 1"} AND IN A EMERGENCY OR PANIC SITUATION, THE HORN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. CORRECTED ACTION HAS BEEN DONE TO THE 1999 MODELS, BUT MANUFACTURER SAID NO CORRECTION CAN BE DONE TO THE 1998 MODELS, BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEELS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, ANOTHER CAR AHEAD OF MY DAUGHTER BACKED INTO HER IN A PARKING GARAGE WHILE SHE WAS FRANTICALLY SEARCHING FOR THE BUTTON TO WARN HIM. RESULTING IN A LOW IMPACT COLLISION TO THE FRONT BUMPER.
NHTSA complaint #541785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.