1997 Acura CL problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1997 Acura CL with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 18.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 16%.
Complaints106
Crashes5
Fires0
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 18.9% · 20
Electrical system 16.0% · 17
Air bags 13.2% · 14
Suspension 9.4% · 10
Engine and engine cooling 7.5% · 8
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.6% · 7
Visibility 5.7% · 6
Unknown or other 3.8% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 5 describe a crash and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Filings are rising — 11 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 122,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Malfunction indicator light came on. Dealer informed me that the primary control module for the transmission had failed. I will have to pay for the tests to isolate problem an for labor to repair. Acura will replace the pcm as 'goodwill' but as maintanance was done per Acura recommendations this problem should have been caught. Power train
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. Power train · reported at 88,000 miles
During a cold start, the automatic transmission fails to shift gears properly untill the engine is warm. Everyday since I have had the car, this has happened. The car is not under warrenty so replacing the transmission would cost me a few thousand dollars, which I am not prepared to spend. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…