Model year record

1999 Acura CL

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 66 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V026000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,439,841
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-17
Owners notified
2020-10-01

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V423000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
563,861
Reported to NHTSA
2003-10-27
Owners notified
2003-12-08

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission11101,174 mi
Electrical system7138,500 mi
Air bags5
Engine5138,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch344,000 mi
Steering3138,500 mi
Tires3112,252 mi
Engine and engine cooling2550 mi
Equipment289,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Vehicle speed control274,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls227,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine198,577 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1101,174 mi
Equipment: mechanical1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch178,000 mi
Parking brake: indicator light150 mi
Power train1125,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift150 mi
Seat belts156,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1550 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system150 mi
Structure1
Tires: tread/belt1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 6 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.