2002 Acura CL

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 44 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission25
000
Air Bags5
100
Power Train › Manual Transmission3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor1
000
Service Brakes, Air › Disc1
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust1
000
Power Train1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V027000
Filed Jan 17, 2020875,966 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission04V176000
Filed Apr 15, 20041,099,796 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Risk. GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Feb 28, 2023TX

UNKNOWN

Air Bags
Filed Apr 20, 2020260,878 milesCA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT KEYES WOODLAND HILLS HONDA (6111 TOPANGA CANYON BLVD, WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91367), EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,878.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 24, 2020CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ACURA OF ESCONDIDO LOCATED AT (1502 AUTO PARK WAY, ESCONDIDO CA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 10, 2019140,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA CL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "SRS" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT ALL DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH GOODSON ACURA OF DALLAS (4801 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75219) FOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 14, 2017194,600 milesIL

I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM CHICAGO SUBURB INDIVIDUAL OWNER ABOUT 15 DAYS AGO. CLEAN TITLE WITH NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. THE GAS TANK DURING LAST 15 DAYS WAS NEVER LITTLE ABOVE HALF TANK. TODAY I FILLED GAS FULL TANK AND DROVE ABOUT 8 MILES AND PARKED IN HOME GARAGE. LIQUID FUEL LEAK FROM REAR SIDE OF THE TANK WAS OBSERVED FORMING A PUDDLE IN GARAGE GIVING STRONG GAS SMELL IN FEW MINUTES. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, I COULD CONTINUOUS DROP BY DROP LIQUID FUEL LEAK. I CONFIRM THAT I DID NOT OBSERVE ANY LEAK IN LAST TWO WEEKS WHEN GAS TANK WAS LESS THAN 3/4 OR LESS FULL.IN LAST 15 DAYS I CONSIDER LUCKY THAT THE LEAK DID NOT TAKE PLACE OVER EXHAUST GAS PIPE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE TOWED MY CAR TO A REPAIR CENTER AND WILL ADVISE HIM TO SAVE EVIDENCE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 3, 2016228,000 milesMI

THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ALMOST BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS ISSUE .I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE

Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed Oct 21, 2014140,000 milesTX

MY SON HIT A POLE AND THE AIR BAG CRUSHED HIM. HE DIED! IT RIPPED HIS AORTA, HIS LIVER, CRUSHED HIS LUNGS, HEAD INJURY, METAL IN CHEST. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 2, 2012MD

FOR A COUPLE DAYS MY CAR WOULD BEGIN STALLING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I FELT LIKE IT SLOWED DOWN TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR BUT NEVER COMPLETELY SHIFTED. THEN, ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING, ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR COMPLETELY AND I COULDN'T DRIVE FORWARD. MY CAR ONLY ALLOWED ME TO GO IN REVERSE. 2AFTER ALLOWING IT TO SIT FOR A WHILE IT WOULD DRIVE BUT WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE HOME IT CONSTANTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 22, 2011173,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND EXHIBITED A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 19, 201085,000 milesMA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS ABRUPTLY. VEHICLE ACCELERATES ABRUPTLY WHEN GEARS SHIFT. POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF FAILURE OCCURS IN HIGHWAY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 16, 201045,500 milesDE

TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAR HAS ONLY 45K ON IT. MINOR TRANS REPAIR BY PRIOR OWNER UNDER WARRANTY. CLASS ACTION APPLIED BUT PAST TIME LIMIT. ACURA OFFERED 50% OF REPAIR COST NOT 100%. I BELIEVE TIME LIMIT INAPPROPRIATE. TIME DOES NOT DAMAGE TRANS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 18, 2008103,000 milesIL

2002 ACURA 3.2CL WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER 1ST TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THEY KNEW THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE BAD. *KB THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. NOW, IT IS 2 YEARS LATER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 27, 2007171,000 milesIL

ACURA IS KNOWINGLY PUTTING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS. WHEN MY FIRST TRANS WENT OUT, I WAS DOING 50 MPH ON LAKE SHORE DR. AND IF I WEREN'T WEARING MY SEATBELT, I WOULD'VE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY KNEW ALL THESE TRANS WERE BAD AND REPLACED THE 1ST ONE @ 103,000 MILES AND SAID THEY WOULD "GOOD WILL" THESE TRANS AS LONG AS IM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY HUSBAND WAS A MASTER TECH. MECHANIC AT ACURA FOR 10 YRS. AND SAID THEY NEVER CAME OUT WITH A GOOD TRANS. FOR THESE CARS. THEY JUST KEEP REBUILDING THEM AND REPLACING THEM WHEN THEY GO OUT! NOW MY REPLACEMENT TRANS IS GOING OUT @ 30,000 LESS MILES THAN THE 1ST AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE IT WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT! PAY FOR ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION? THEY WROTE ON MY CAR WORK ORDER "TEST DROVE VEHICLE FOUND TRANS SLIPPING - CUSTOMER ADVISED OF TRANS OPERATION, NOT RECOMMENDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE!" THEY PUT ME BACK ON THE STREET WITH THEIR UNSAFE TRANSMISSION. IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT THEY ARE PUTTING 'ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN' ON THE STREETS. IS IT CHEAPER FOR THEM TO PAY FOR PEOPLES DEATHS THAN TO TAKE ALL THESE VEHICLES OFF THE STREET? HONDAS BIGGEST SETTLEMENT CANNOT REPLACE SOMEBODY'S LOVED ONE. THERE HAS TO BE JUSTICE SOMEWHERE. PLEASE HELP SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE, THANK YOU.. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 16, 2007FL

2002 ACURA CL HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED OUT 4 TIMES; THE CAR IS ENDING IT'S WARRANTY, AND AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 7, 200655,000 milesVA

MANUAL TRANS/CLUTCH - LOOSES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN LOW AIR TEMPS AND WHEN CAR IS SITTING ON A HILL. HARD TO SHIFT ONLY IN 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR. THERE WERE VERY FEW ACURA 2002/2003 CL 3.2 TYPE SS MADE, SO EVEN A COUPLE COMPLAINTS SHOULD WARRANT A REVIEW. I FOUND NUMEROUS FORUMS WITH OWNERS COMPLAINING AND ASKING FOR HELP FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM. IVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANS CARS AND TRUCKS FOR 22 YRS TO INCLUDE ONE HONDA THAT STIL HAD THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH AT 225K MILES, SO IT IS NOT A DRIVER RELATED PROBLEM. ALL THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR...THAT FAILED. ACURA HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT, WHEN THEY TRY TO SHIFT INTO SECOND WHEN CROSSING A BUSY STREET AND CANT. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I JUST GOT LUCKY. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 14, 200542,900 milesIL

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: ERRATIC SHIFTING, HARD DOWNSHIFTS, SHIFTS FROM 5TH GEAR INTO 2ND GEAR AT HIGH SPEED: CLOSE-TO-DEATH EXPERIENCE ON THE HIGHWAY!! THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS DONE CONCLUDING NOTHING WRONG. FROM MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THE RECALL - "BAND-AID FIX" DOES NOT FIX WHATS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT IS A TRICK TO MAKE CONSUMERS THINK THAT THE CAR IS FINE. THE RECALL WAS PUT OUT BUT DOES NOT WORK!! THIS MATTER SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO PROPERLY AND THUROUGHLY AGAIN. I DO NOT WISH TO INJURE OR KILL MYSELF OR OTHERS BECAUSE MY CAR IS POORLY DESIGNED. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER RECALL SINCE IT WAS ALREADY PROVIDED. FURTHERMORE, THE SYMPTOMS OF MY PROBLEM ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE RECALL SYMPTOMS. THE HONDA MOTOR CO. KNOWS VERY WELL THAT ALL THESE SYMPTOMS ARE COMBINED BUT DOES NOT WANT TO RECALL THE CORRECT PARTS BECAUSE IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH AND COVER TOO MANY VEHICLES. RIGHT NOW MY CHOICES ARE VERY LIMITED BUT EXPENSIVE: REPLACE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WITH FEW OTHER PARTS. MANY CONSUMERS' TRANSMISSIONS FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES SO THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX AS THE COMPANY CLAIMS WITH THE RECALL SERVICE AND I'M SURE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND MAKE THEM ISSUE A REAL SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM OR REFER ME SOMEWHERE THAT I COULD GET HELP RESOLVING THIS MATTER.

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed May 6, 200541,000 milesFL

SINCE THE SECOND DAY OF HAVING MY CAR, MY CAR HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR OVER 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS AND SOMETIMES REPEATING PROBLEMS. THIS ALL HAS OCCURRED WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SO SEVERE THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS MY TRANSMISSION SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFTING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED A TREMENDOUS DECREASE OF SPEED. HAD SOMEONE BEEN IN BACK OF ME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT IT CONTINUES TO ACT SPONTANEOUSLY. AFTER MAKING COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO ACURA OF AMERICA, I FEEL SNUBBED BY THEM IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO ASSIST ME OTHER THAN WARRANTY REPAIRS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 23, 2005MD

2002 ACURA CL 3.2 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS, TIMING BELT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION AND ENGINE. THE CONSUMER DID STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND BELT TENSIONER. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 200433,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE PART WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 5, 200438,000 milesCA

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY ACURA CL-S LOCKED UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. IT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FAILED APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES LATER. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD, WHICH IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF INEVITABLE FAILURE. *AK

20 of 44 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20041000Routine
200373501Fatalities reported
2002 — this page44201Fatalities reported
2001271321Fatalities reported
200011000Routine
199949300Routine
199855510Routine
199782200Routine

Compare every CL year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.