1998 Acura TL problems & reliability
20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Acura TL. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Acura TL vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 45% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 15% |
| Power Train | 2 | 10% |
| Structure | 2 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 10% |
| Air Bags | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 5% |
| Steering | 1 | 5% |
| Suspension | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 the vehicle in park…”
Electrical System · filed Nov 28, 2014
“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.”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Jan 16, 2013
“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…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Nov 17, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
24 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Acura TL. The 10 most recent:
Sending vehicle data to tech line.
BJA46167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2017
Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
B98015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 2016
Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light is on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission…
SB-0708 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004. *tt
04012004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2004
AIRBAG ON OFF SWITCH. *EH
02012004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2004
Airbag on/off switch application chart. Acura. Tech line summary. *tt
104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 16, 2004
Letter to service manager regarding ignition switch recall campaign. *tt
091203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 12, 2003
Troubleshooting abs or tcs diagnostic trouble code 51 and/or 53. *nm
1102 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 16, 2002
Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Acura service news. *tt
110102 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2002
Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information. *tt
1002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2002
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1998 Acura TL in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Acura TL?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.