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1997 Acura CL problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Acura CL is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 103,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical CL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
82
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
60
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
20-24mpg

The worst 1997 Acura CL problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Acura CL

Stalling 8Ball joint 6Airbag light 5Check engine light 5

Recalls 2

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported May 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 number 02V120000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported May 10, 1999 · 124,875 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.

Recall number 99V069000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Acura CL

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Acura CL 60

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 60 bulletins for the 1997 Acura CL

1997 Acura CL fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD20-2226-2822-24
3.0L 6‑cylFWD182620

What 1997 Acura CL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Airbags · 300,000 miles · FL

Airbag recall was issued in march 2020. Honda advises that no replacement parts are available as of 8/14/2020.could be up to a year (from march 2020) before parts are available.

Filed Jul 10, 2020 · Airbags · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact reached out to norris acura (8559 baltimore national pike, ellicott city, md 21043; 443‑574‑1240) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 26, 2020 · Airbags · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. Pikes peak acura (655 automotive dr, colorado springs, co 80905) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Airbags · 176,000 miles · NM · crash · 1 injury

Tl* takata recall. The contact called on behalf of his mother-in-law the owner and driver of a 1997 acura cl. Contact stated that while his mother-in-law was stopped and waiting to make a left turn a semi- truck turned running over her vehicle. The front passenger to the driver side of the vehicle was damaged. No air bags deployed in the vehicle. The contact sustained bruised ribs and separated collar bone, and other injuries that required medical attention as she was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was made. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then to the contact's residence. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted as the vehicle was deemed a total loss and he was an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated recently received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) which could possible be the cause to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Filed Mar 24, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · CA

I noticed an SRS light on every time after I start the engine and the engine mounting are broken and lose..

Filed Mar 6, 2018 · SC

I am on my 3rd transmission since I bought the car in 2012

Filed Apr 6, 2017 · Electrical · 218,000 miles · CA

Sometimes don't start

Filed Mar 16, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 186,243 miles · CA

The 1997 acura cl harmonica balencer bolt snaped off had to get it replaced and three weeks later happend again in the middel off the street trafic almost casing an acedent

Filed Sep 1, 2016 · NC

Sometimes the key will not turn or it seems as if the car is locked. The key will get stuck in the ignition and will not turn. Sometimes the key will turn but will not allow me to take it out very easily. Lastly the key sometimes will not enter the hole. Tried switching the sides over and sometimes it works after 2 or 3 tries.

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Electrical · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 acura cl. The contact stated that the ignition key was difficult to remove from the vehicle without warning. In addition, the key failed to start the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system). The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

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Compare the 1997 Acura CL

Other model years

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Questions about the 1997 Acura CL

Is the 1997 Acura CL reliable?

Owners have filed 82 complaints about the 1997 Acura CL, close to a typical CL model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Acura CL?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 20 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles. Next is electrical (15).

How many recalls does the 1997 Acura CL have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and suspension.

What year does the Acura CL have bad transmission?

The Acura CL model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (206 complaints), 2003 (36 complaints) and 2002 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Acura CL get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Acura CL range from 20 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-22 city and 26-28 highway.

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