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1999 Acura CL problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Acura CL is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 122,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical CL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
49
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
45
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
20-24mpg

The worst 1999 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 1999 Acura CL

Transmission failure 7Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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 number 20V026000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported October 27, 2003 · 563,861 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
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.
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 number 03V423000 · Recall details

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

See all 3 recalls for the 1999 Acura CL

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Acura CL 45

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

See all 45 bulletins for the 1999 Acura CL

1999 Acura CL fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylFWD20-2127-2922-24
3.0L 6‑cylFWD172620

What 1999 Acura CL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 248,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura cl. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the battery and alternator were replaced twice. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was taken to mcgrath acura of downtown chicago (1301 n. Elston ave, chicago, il 60642) for a recall repair on the air bags however, there was no mention of the failure of the vehicle to start or for the vehicle stalling. The contact stated that the battery was being drained. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the battery and alternator were replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact called aaa and the vehicle was jumpstarted. The vehicle was restarted and driven however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Unable to get the airbag replaced after more than 6 months of the recall notice. I contacted acura and their local dealers but was being bounced around without any update in terms of parts availability or timing for fixing the problem. There was another honda airbag related fatality reported today. Acura needs to take the airbag recall seriously after 6 months has elapsed.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Airbags · CT

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called antonino acura located at 340 gold star hwy, groton, ct 06340, (860) 215-3165), and it was confirmed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Airbags · AZ

I received notification from acura in march 2020 about a potential malfunction of my airbag in the event of deployment. It is approaching july and no follow up message on a repair has been provided. I currently drive the car for work so if this issue isn't resolved soon it presents a big hazard to myself and others.

Filed May 22, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 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. Gold coast acura (3195 perkin ave, ventura, ca 93003) and acura of thousand oaks (3945 auto mall dr, thousand oaks, ca 91362) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had was made aware of the issue and stated that parts would be available in six months. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Electrical · 253,580 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura cl. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle while in neutral and coasting. When the vehicle was shifted into drive, the power was lost again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not duplicated. The mechanic informed the contact of a the federal safety agency recall for the ignition switch. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and case number: 05946667 was filed. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 253,580.

Filed Jan 14, 2017 · Airbags · TX

Takata air bags recall- why is my car not on the recall list? Are they not going back to 1999? Is it ok to drive. According the newspaper reports, the older models are at higher risks.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 110,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura cl. While approaching a traffic light and proceeding to make a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated independently. In addition, when the steering wheel was turned to the right, the vehicle turned in the left direction. As a result, the vehicle landed in a man hole, which caused the air bags to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained shoulder injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 02/02/16*lj

Filed Apr 30, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 138,500 miles · IA

I was driving to work approximately a half mile from my house ..my car just turned off, although the ignition key was still in ..it was med-heavy traffic. I don't believe I even had lights but I can't say for sure at first I thought maybe I had gotten bad gas ..then it happened again as I was turning a corner.staring became difficult and both times I had to put my car into neutral to restart it ..from there it happened maybe 1 every week to once every 3 weeks maybe .I checked my plugs wires had my fuel filter replaced stopped going where I was gettn gas ..one day I was on the computer at work (oreillys autoparts ) and noticed my car had been involved in a recall at some point , but what they described was exactly what my car was doing .randomly turning off ..I was told by acura becauz my car was "fixed" during the first recall I needed to replace my ignition switch at my own cost ..I've owned my vehicle since 2006 .it is a safety issue .I'm afraid to drive my car to the acura dealer .it's about 90 minutes away .obviously over time the ignition switch wears out becauz I've only put 60,000 miles on it and I bout it with 65000. Is my safety not a concern with acura .that how they have dealt with me.

Filed Apr 30, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 138,500 miles · IA

I was driving to work approximately a half mile from my house ..my car just turned off, although the ignition key was still in ..it was med-heavy traffic.I don't believe I even had lights but I can't say for sure at first I thought maybe I had gotten bad gas ..then it happened again as I was turning a corner.staring became difficult and both times I had to put my car into neutral to restart it ..from there it happened maybe 1 every week to once every 3 weeks maybe .I checked my plugs wires had my fuel filter replaced stopped going where I was gettn gas ..one day I was on the computer at work (oreillys autoparts ) and noticed my car had been involved in a recall at some point , but what they described was exactly what my car was doing .randomly turning off ..I was told by acura becauz my car was "fixed" during the first recall I needed to replace my ignition switch at my own cost ..I've owned my vehicle since 2006 .it is a safety issue .I'm afraid to drive my car to the acura dealer .it's about 90 minutes away .obviously over time the ignition switch wears out becauz I've only put 60,000 miles on it and I bout it with 65000.is my safety not a concern with acura .that how they have dealt with me.

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Questions about the 1999 Acura CL

Is the 1999 Acura CL reliable?

Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 1999 Acura CL, fewer than a typical CL model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Acura CL?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 13 complaints, typically around 122,000 miles. Next is electrical (11).

How many recalls does the 1999 Acura CL have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

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 1999 Acura CL get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Acura CL range from 20 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 27-29 highway.

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