AI Damage1998 Acura SLX: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Acura SLX filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My 1998 acura slx, with 122,000 miles, requires a new engine. The car developed a loud slapping noise and was diagnosed by 2 mechanics as a broken piston skirt. I was told that this is a common issue with these cars - a result of a mismatch between the isuzu engine and the acura transmission.
In june of 2003, we took our 1998 acura slx w/45k miles on it into stevens creek isuzu dealership for a major service and to check out the "pinging/grinding" noise that we had been hearing for a long time. We were told they couldn't duplicate the noise.
Consumer stated she heard knocking and a loud pinging noise coming from the engine. She then pulled over and her husband checked the vehicle and saw that the oil was empty although she had an oil change before the trip. All of the oil spilled from the engine. Engine had blown.
Throttle sucked to the ground and would not release when brakes applied, when emergency brake was extended.
Unable to steer straight line at 70 mph 95 degrees, wanders over road, okay when tires cold. ( dot number: cll417 tire size: p245/70r16 )
The quick disconnect gas tank connection came loose on the highway. Driver is unaware of leak until made aware of it by someone else.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLX has 2 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Acura SLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, tires. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Acura SLX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Acura SLX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.