The 1997 Acura CL has 87 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag automatic transmission failure, slipping between gears, delayed engagement, complete failure typically 150,000-200,000 miles (241,000-322,000 km), rebuild cost $1,500-$2,500, recurrent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Acura CL vehicles (US, public record).
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 02V120000ON 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.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 99V069000VEHICLE 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.
Generally positive sentiment for first-generation model, viewed as reliable, comfortable entry-level luxury coupe with decent performance from 2.3L 4-cylinder engine.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CL. See the full CL owner picture and every model year.
Used CL listings typically run $5,683–$8,344 across 1999 to 2003 model years.
Compare every CL year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.