Model year record

1997 Acura CL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 106 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V120000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
1,000,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-05-16
Owners notified
2002-06-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V069000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
124,875
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-10
Owners notified
1999-05-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1388,000 mi
Air bags758,000 mi
Air bags: frontal569,000 mi
Electrical system5190,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls5
Electrical system: ignition: switch4112,354 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Suspension4122,000 mi
Unknown or other41,560,000 mi
Vehicle speed control487,500 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly377,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2125,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine2186,243 mi
Power train2190,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering2122,000 mi
Suspension: front277,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)185,000 mi
Power train: driveline1122,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module189 mi
Structure188,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1
Tires1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.