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1998 Acura TL problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Acura TL is engine and cooling, typically around 74,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical TL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
24
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 1998 Acura TL problems

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

  • Engine
    9
  • Electrical
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Transmission
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    9
  • Electrical
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls 2

Power train: automatic transmissionReported August 19, 1999 · 96,518 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
Risk
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a redesigned bolt.

Recall number 99V227000 · 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 1998 Acura TL

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Acura TL 24

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

See all 24 bulletins for the 1998 Acura TL

1998 Acura TL fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 5‑cylFWD172320
3.2L 6‑cylFWD172219

What 1998 Acura TL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 28, 2014 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 acura tl. The contact referenced the federal safety agency 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 the vehicle in park sometimes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 12/19/14*cn updated 05/26/2015

Filed Jan 16, 2013 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 115,000 miles · NJ · crash · 2 injuries

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 treatment. No other personal injuries. Only minor property collateral property damages. Reported to auto insurance carrier and honda america. Honda america declined to investigate or inspect the vehicle and claimed the gas pedal was mistakenly engaged instead of the pedal brake. Confirmed by ha letter. Acura owner settled claim with insurance company. This conclusion seems inconsistent with earlier the federal safety agency investigations into 1990s acuras as I was able to retrieve from http://consumerhassofshame.homestead.com///index~ns4.html.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

My 1998 acura 2.5 tl has had noticeable exhaust leak into the passenger compartment from about 100,000 miles point, since january 2008l about one year ago. All the outside smells come right in even though I always have vents and air cond or heater set to "inside air only" setting. Along with exhaust I smell the catalytic converter odor, refinery odor when I drive past refinery, skunk smell when I drive over even a spot where a skunk was removed a few days ago, etc and also the check engine light came on a year ago, as many other owners have reported, I had it diagnosed as failed oxygen sensor but it seems that goes with the cracked engine manifold. This widely reported condition should be a mfgr recall notice. There is no excuse for the failure to recall over this persistent defect. Owners now know that it was the very same problem in 1996 and 1997 where it was a recall notice item; it should be for 1998 as well. I have been the most loyal of acura owners (this is our fourth acura as a family) but I and my husband will no longer tolerate such dishonesty in acura co.

Filed Nov 4, 2008 · Suspension · 107,233 miles · GA

I recently bought a 1998 acura tl 2.5 and the driver side front ball joint squeaks. While I was looking for parts at autozone I was alerted that my car was under recall for defective lower ball joints. I am not the original owner and wondered if it is possible to get it repaired at no cost ?

Filed May 18, 2007 · Engine · 50,000 miles · WA

I own an acura 2.5 tl model year 1998. I was informed by dealer last year that there was an exhaust manifold leak in the engine. The dealer quoted $2000 to fix the problem. I have not had it fixed so far, but I fear that the exhaust fumes were infiltrating the cabin, and we were breathing exhaust fumes when in the car. Upon further investigation I found that this problem was also reported widely in earlier model years.

Filed Dec 1, 2005 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · CA

Dt: the contact stated while pulling out from a stop sign the transmission case bolt broke. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who found the federal safety agency recall campaign 99v227000 for automatic transmission. The manufacturer said that the recall repairs had been completed previously, and they were not willing to repair the transmission again.

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Engine · 77,500 miles · KY

Auto technician has determined that 1998 acura 2.5 tl has a cracked manifold. Same vehicle from 1995-97 has been mandated by the federal safety agency to have this repaired by manufacturer. I would like my vehicle year to be included in this mandate.

Filed Jan 18, 2005 · Engine · 73,462 miles · WA

Part b to odi# 10106272 forgot to note that exhaust comes into the vehicle from the fresh air intake and gives me headaches on long trips.

Filed Jan 13, 2005 · Engine · 73,462 miles · WA

Exhaust system on my 1998 acura 2.5 tl has a crack in the exhaust manifold. I've been told the manufacturer replaced this on the 96 & 97 tl's but will not for the 1998. I understand from research there were no changes to the body style or engine between the 96 -98 so why won't they cover the 98?

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Questions about the 1998 Acura TL

Is the 1998 Acura TL reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1998 Acura TL, fewer than a typical TL model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Acura TL?

Engine and cooling, with 9 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 1998 Acura TL have?

2 recalls, covering power train and suspension.

What year does the Acura TL have bad engine?

The Acura TL model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (22 complaints), 2012 (18 complaints) and 1999 (17 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Acura TL get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Acura TL range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 23 highway.

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