Major Problems with Acura CL Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Acura CL to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Acura CL

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Acura CL.

Model Year	Complaints
2003 CL	68
2002 CL	41
2001 CL	254
1999 CL	44
1998 CL	49
1997 CL	77

Worst 3 Acura CL complaints

1997 Acura CL FRONTAL Victims: 2

1998 Acura CL VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Victims: 2

2003 Acura CL AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 100000 miles

Browse Acura CL complaints by category

Problems with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Acura CL owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN the automatic transmission violently locked hile proceeing down the road. in contacting the acura dealer in mobile al (my closest...	242 ~ 38555 miles
POWER TRAIN when entering highway vehicle failed to change gears and nearly causing a rear end crash. transmission failed....	46 ~ 109056 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM car was parked outside during summer heatwave. interior was hot. vehicle started with hesitation ran for a moment and then...	34 ~ 124395 miles
AIR BAGS dt: while driving 60 mph was cut off on interstate. to keep from hitting another vehicle ran off the road....	28 ~ 82860 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL cruise control would not hold speed. everything else was normal the cruise control light would go on. upon inspection it...	23 ~ 48978 miles
SUSPENSION i have a 2003 acura cl s type at 400 miles a tire was michelin tire was replaced for a...	15 ~ 87151 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i own a 2001 acura cl 3.2. the locking mechanism in the ignition switch does not appear to be working....	14 ~ 62150 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2003 acura 3.2cl type s - 75 000 miles - manual transmission (mt) is hard to shift into second and...	14 ~ 31486 miles
ENGINE erratic/raised engine idle caused by worn idle air control valve creates a condition where engine idle is suddenly higher than...	11 ~ 150222 miles
STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura cl. while driving 45 mph and attempting to brake the contact felt a...	10 ~ 297124 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving vehicle at 15 to 20mph engine made a big noise car slowed down and engine died. pulled out...	9 ~ 25506 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS vehicle suddendly accelerated while driver had foot on brakes wheels started to spin and went through garage wall and in	9 ~ 30333 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY door cable regulator broke. due to the broken cable the window dropped down into the doors. the dealer was notified...	8 ~ 11750 miles
TIRES chunks of tread missing from the centers of tires both front tires. *ak...	8 ~ 14082 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when brakes are applied vehicle drags and front vibrates. contacted dealer dealer replaced rotors/pads but problem still occurring. *ak the	7
SEAT BELTS acura says they guarantee all parts of the safety belt for the use of a lifetime of the car. car...	6 ~ 78400 miles
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN my transmission failed on my acura cl for the second time. i had it "replaced" after the first failure @49k...	6 ~ 34583 miles
EQUIPMENT tranmission failures: 2003 acura cl. 1st incident was at 3 000 miles. car stalled and was acting up on a...	6 ~ 90700 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2002 acura cl 3.2 experiencing problems with automatic transmission seat belts timing belt electrical system and the engine.*no answer required*....	6 ~ 39092 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER email letter regarding complaint involving 2003 acura cl. mr sc *jb...	6 ~ 260000 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES while driving vehicle suffered a sidewall cut and sudden deflation of the right front tire. *la the consumer stated this...	6 ~ 8852 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS rotors are warping prematurely. as a result when applying brakes a grinding noise is produced. the dealer can't find the	5 ~ 32310 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE i am unable to open drivers side door from inside or outside. car still locks and unlocks like normal so...	4 ~ 121863 miles
SERVICE BRAKES going 5 mph in parking lot coasting to a stop at end of aisle with foot off throttle pedal. put...	4 ~ 95800 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS on the airbag system which controls the deployment of the airbag for my vehicle. it is referred to as the...	4 ~ 67500 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i am complaining about the new hid headlights on some new vehicles. they are very blinding to me and dangerous....	4 ~ 16554 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle displayed hesitation at 15 mph numerous times when accelerating from a stop vehicle would not accelerate. on 25 june...	4 ~ 20500 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when brakes are applied vehicle drags and front vibrates. contacted dealer dealer replaced rotors/pads but problem still occurring. *ak the	4
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY consumer states that the positioning of the 2 outside mirrors is too high by at least 5-6 inches when stopped...	4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM car was parked outside during summer heatwave. interior was hot. vehicle started with hesitation ran for a moment and then...	3 ~ 150533 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL for a couple days my car would begin stalling while i was driving on the highway. i felt like it...	3 ~ 122667 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. the vehicle has michelin as sport tires (na) size 255/35zr20 97y. while driving...	3
VISIBILITY rear view mirror (self dimming) on my 2001 acura cl self destructed and spilt some toxic dark this fluid on...	3 ~ 103333 miles
STRUCTURE 2003 acura cl has a glare on the windshield which blocks the consumer's view of the street.*no answer required. mr	3 ~ 29333 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i purchased a new acura 3.2cl type s with a 6 speed manual transmission on 5/24/03. in 6/16/04 with 14...	3 ~ 25465 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while driving at normal speed vehicle would intermittently stall. *ak...	3
GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM problems with the transmission and egr valve. ph mr...	3 ~ 33725 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT consumer has noticed abs light illuminating on dashboard. contacted dealer. upon recall 99v069/ lower ball joint repairs mechanic noticed abs	3
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer states that the key can only be removed when in neutral gear consumer had the entire ignition replaced later	3 ~ 35167 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM after taken vehicle to dealer for regular maintenance on 27-oct-2000 vehicle was showing problem with the starter. it had to	3 ~ 25667 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION engine is out of balance. vehicle vibrates when foot is on acceleration pedal & nands on the steering wheel. had	3 ~ 25667 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura cl. the contact stated that when the vehicle was being serviced the technician...	2 ~ 37000 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING there are two safety issues with my 2003 acura cl. first the headlights are flashing like a strobe light. i...	2 ~ 37500 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the key for my 2001 acura cl can be removed regardless the position of the car's automatic transmission shift lever....	2 ~ 31000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE my check engine light stays on constantly although it says to click the gas cap three times or it will	2 ~ 91500 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	2 ~ 25 miles
FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	2 ~ 25 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN while in traffic and moving at approximately 1- to 20 mph the wheel caved in and tilted sideways damaging the...	2 ~ 97580 miles
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	2 ~ 29500 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT manual trans/clutch - looses hydraulic pressure in low air temps and when car is sitting on a hill. hard to...	2 ~ 27500 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the driver's side door failed to open. the consumer was concerned in case of emergency he will be trapped inside.	2 ~ 88112 miles
FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY > MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2003 acura cl type s 6 speed manual trans. traveling slow in 1st. gear on and off the gas trans....	2 ~ 50 miles
RIM > WHEELS front drivers side tire came unseated from the rim and jerked the car off the road at 55 mph and	2 ~ 26555 miles
DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR front end (brakes) vibration to steering wheel and entire vehicle when braking @ 60mph when decending a relatively steep grade...	2 ~ 28402 miles
PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN vehicle rolled backwards on an incline while in park. consumer was dragged while trying to engage emergency brake. dealer and	2 ~ 53970 miles
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY impact with deer on left side fender door and rear quarter panel broken windshield broken mirror which caused $5000 worth	2 ~ 42250 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY impact with deer on left side fender door and rear quarter panel broken windshield broken mirror which caused $5000 worth	2 ~ 27500 miles
GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) > STEERING steering became sluggish and very noisey in brand new vehicle. dealer stated that the seals in gearbox were defective thus	2
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS for no reason the passenger side front seatbelt locks up. once locked up it does not retract passenger must unbuckle...	2
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ltr submitting complaint re a defective alternator on his 1999 acura cl attachments including an article. ts nm...	2
CONTROL ARM > FRONT > SUSPENSION on your web page for recalls campaign #k59 it says that my vehicle is affected for recall of ball joints....	2
VISIBILITY/WIPER it is my drivers side window the window part in door that cause window to go up and down breaks...	1 ~ 85000 miles
UPPER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. the contact stated that the passenger side upper control arm rusted out....	1 ~ 74000 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE smoke was observed coming from the engine compartment. vehicle was stopped as the smoke intensified. the ensuing fire destroyed the...	1 ~ 183000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 1997 acura 3.0cl. while driving approximately 30 mph the contact heard a loud noise and felt...	1 ~ 122000 miles
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER > EQUIPMENT acura is knowingly putting defective transmissions in these cars. when my first trans went out i was doing 50 mph...	1 ~ 171000 miles
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl*the contact owns a 2001 acura 3.2cl. in 2004 the contact received nhtsa recall notice number 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission)....	1 ~ 53082 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2001 acura 3.2cl. in 2004 the contact received nhtsa recall notice number 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission)....	1 ~ 53082 miles
CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	1 ~ 50 miles
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	1 ~ 50 miles
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	1 ~ 50 miles
INDICATOR LIGHT > PARKING BRAKE transmission failure: the problem starts with the following symptoms : failure to place the car in drive or to remove...	1 ~ 50 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2001 acura 3.2 cl. while driving 50 mph the engine and steering wheel vibrated shook and...	1 ~ 50000 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS brake caliper mount/bracket developed superficial corrosion which reduced the tolerance for the brake pad s making them resistant to sliding--bound....	1 ~ 36000 miles
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC car skidded out of control. no one got hurt. abs instrument panel warning light came on. leakage occurs on the	1 ~ 89 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
LINKAGES > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
POWER ADJUST > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE since the second day of having my car my car has been continuously plagued with problems. i have taken my...	1 ~ 41000 miles
SEATS leather upholstery failure on the front seats of 2001 acura 3.2cl purchased 5/1/01. steering wheel previously replaced because of leather	1 ~ 65000 miles
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN drive axle on manual transmission is loose and may come apart and cause a serious accident. *jb...	1 ~ 85000 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > DOOR > BODY i was driving a long last week in my 1997 acura 2.2cl that i just purchased last august 2002 with...	1
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS driver's seat back completely collapsed during a rear end collision. dealer/ manufacturer were notified. *ak consumer states that rear intial...	1
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS impact with deer on left side fender door and rear quarter panel broken windshield broken mirror which caused $5000 worth	1
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle smokes excessively and temperture gauge is over the red mark. also there is rattling noise underneath the hood.*ak...	1
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM horn button is too small making it diffcult to locate in case of an emergency situation which has already resulted	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY abs light comes on and with that a noise is heard in the system engine light also comes on when...	1
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE abs light comes on and with that a noise is heard in the system engine light also comes on when...	1
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING abs light comes on and with that a noise is heard in the system engine light also comes on when...	1
SHOCK ABSORBER > FRONT > SUSPENSION shocks failed. ...	1
SEAL > AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY transmission seals failed. nlm...	1
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when driving on flat surface at approximately 40mph 1500rpms the vehicle will jerk and pull for approx. 30 seconds or...	1
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM main computer failed. *yc...	1
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM oil pan seals leak....	1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT cd player failed. yh...	1
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving brakes vibrate/pulsate very heavily and vehicle pulls very hard to the left. took vehicle to dealer several times.	1
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING there was about two inches of play within the steering wheel due to the steering column coupling not connecting to...	1
WHEELS while driving vehicle suffered a sidewall cut and sudden deflation of the right front tire. *la the consumer stated this...	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING there was about two inches of play within the steering wheel due to the steering column coupling not connecting to...	1

FAQ

What year Acura CL is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 6 years, Acura CL models of 2002, 1999, 1998 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Acura CL?

Acura CL models of 2001 and 1997 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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