1998 Acura SLX: common problems and reliability

The 1998 Acura SLX has 6 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag gm 4l30-e automatic transmission failures, notorious weak point inherited from isuzu trooper, sluggish shifting, complete failures common high mileage, replacement cost $2,500-$4,000, universal criticism as inadequate for vehicle weight and power, very frequent.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

6
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Acura SLX vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
3
vehicle speed control
1
tires
1
fuel system
1
gasoline
1

Recalls affecting the 1998 SLX

power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Campaign 98V180000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN.

What owners say across generations

Nostalgic curiosity with minimal ownership data for ultra-rare rebadged luxury SUV, regarded as forgotten automotive oddity representing Acura's desperate 1990s attempt competing against Lexus LX450.

  • GM 4L30-E automatic transmission failures, notorious weak point inherited from Isuzu Trooper, sluggish shifting, complete failures common high mileage, replacement cost $2,500-$4,000, universal criticism as inadequate for vehicle weight and power, very frequent
  • Acura-specific trim and badge parts scarcity, body panels, interior trim, badges increasingly impossible to source, Honda discontinued all SLX-specific parts, low production (2,095 units total) eliminated aftermarket support, Isuzu Trooper parts substitute for mechanical but not cosmetic, recurrent

Owner insights cover all generations of the SLX. See the full SLX owner picture and every model year.

Other SLX model years

Compare every SLX year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.

1996 SLX

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