NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 Acura TL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 1998 Acura TL has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Acura dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Acura TL, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1998 Acura TL owner complaints
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Acura TL, describing incidents dated September 23, 1999 to January 1, 2013.
Most-cited components
- Engine 9 complaints
- Electrical System 3 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Structure 2 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
- Air Bags 1 complaint
Of the 20 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 20 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10661180 · Filed
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…
ODI #10492802 · Filed
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.
ODI #10292489 · Filed
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…
HONDA/TRANSMISSION
NHTSA #99V227000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 1999 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Potentially affected: 96,518 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign K68 · Owners notified August 30, 1999 · Vehicles built August 19, 1997 – April 16, 1998 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Safety consequence
THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1999.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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
HONDA/BALL JOINTS
NHTSA #99V069000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice
Reported May 10, 1999 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Potentially affected: 124,875 vehicles
Owners notified May 17, 1999 · Vehicles built August 19, 1997 – February 20, 1998 (per NHTSA)
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 consequence
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.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 17, 1999.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 1-800-382-2238.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Acura TL model years
Check your 1998 Acura TL VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Acura TL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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