NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
82 reports190,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Power TrainSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND HEARD AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS FRACTURED AND BECAME DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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
NHTSA ODI #10585337
190,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
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 D…
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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 ODI #10412306
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2011
Power Train
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. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10407789
212,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle 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 …
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359194
152,072 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Electrical System
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…
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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 ODI #10359136
88,000 miles · Sep 21, 2009
Power Train
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 ODI #10284770
88,000 miles · Aug 11, 2009
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 F…
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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? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280082
170,000 miles · Nov 3, 2008
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 …
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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 ODI #10247585
103,000 miles · Aug 19, 2008
Power Train
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…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238922
122,000 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
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 N…
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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 ODI #10238151