2003 ACURA CL

5 recalls — 89 complaints

19V499000 Jun 27, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Description
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The... Read more
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
3,947 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
19V182000 Mar 6, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Description
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV... Read more
Consequence
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer serv... Read more
1,101,534 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
15V320000 May 28, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Description
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acur... Read more
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that... Read more
6,281,043 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
04V176000 Apr 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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 EXPER... Read more
1,099,796 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
02V226000 Aug 28, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
Consequence
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN ... Read more
17,551 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Complaint Statistics

89 total complaints 5 crashes 6 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION17
POWER TRAIN15
AIR BAGS9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE3
TIRES3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
STEERING3
SUSPENSION3
POWER TRAIN Oct 2, 2025
Incident date: Mar 7, 2021
I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I operated the vehicle. There is a grinding sound whenever the transmission is placed in third gear. I brought the car to Acura by Executive in Wallingford, CT at some point in 2021 to enquire about the... Read more
STEERING Sep 5, 2024
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 5, 2024
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 5, 2024
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes... Read more
AIR BAGS Apr 1, 2024
Incident date: Mar 1, 2024
My 2003 3.2cls Acura had an airbag recall in in 2016. My vehicle was supposedly repaired at this time. However, recently my SRS light has been on requiring me to take my car to an Acura dealer. The dealer believes my steering wheel air bag has a faulty air inflator, which they claim is out of warran... Read more
SEAT BELTS Aug 15, 2023
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
I have an SRS light illuminated on my dashboard. Upon researching this, it is apparently a sensor issue which, when the light is on, indicates that the sensor in the seat - belt is malfunctioning, and this will keep the air bags from deploying. This of course is a serious safety issue. Also, in revi... Read more
AIR BAGS Aug 15, 2023
Incident date: Aug 15, 2023
I have an SRS light illuminated on my dashboard. Upon researching this, it is apparently a sensor issue which, when the light is on, indicates that the sensor in the seat - belt is malfunctioning, and this will keep the air bags from deploying. This of course is a serious safety issue. Also, in revi... Read more
SUSPENSION Feb 4, 2022
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering com... Read more
STEERING Feb 4, 2022
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering com... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 4, 2022
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering com... Read more
POWER TRAIN Nov 4, 2019
Incident date: Sep 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON, AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICL... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Oct 26, 2019
Incident date: Oct 24, 2019
I AM UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CAR STILL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS LIKE NORMAL, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ACTUATOR IS AT FAULT. THE CONTROL ARMS FOR BOTH HANDLES ARE INTACT & SEEM TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. I AM ASSUMING THAT EITHER THE LATCH MECHANISM IS STUCK, JAMMED, OR OTHER... Read more
SEAT BELTS Oct 8, 2019
Incident date: Sep 3, 2019
ACURA SAYS THEY GUARANTEE ALL PARTS OF THE SAFETY BELT FOR THE USE OF A LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAR HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE INTERMITTENT BUCKLING ISSUES AND SRS AIRBAG SWITCH IS BAD INSIDE A SEALED SAFETY BELT. COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED IF IT WASN'T A SEALED UNIT. THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAU... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 8, 2019
Incident date: Sep 3, 2019
ACURA SAYS THEY GUARANTEE ALL PARTS OF THE SAFETY BELT FOR THE USE OF A LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAR HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE INTERMITTENT BUCKLING ISSUES AND SRS AIRBAG SWITCH IS BAD INSIDE A SEALED SAFETY BELT. COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED IF IT WASN'T A SEALED UNIT. THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAU... Read more
AIR BAGS Oct 8, 2019
Incident date: Sep 3, 2019
ACURA SAYS THEY GUARANTEE ALL PARTS OF THE SAFETY BELT FOR THE USE OF A LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAR HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE INTERMITTENT BUCKLING ISSUES AND SRS AIRBAG SWITCH IS BAD INSIDE A SEALED SAFETY BELT. COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED IF IT WASN'T A SEALED UNIT. THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAU... Read more
SUSPENSION Aug 21, 2019
Incident date: Jul 23, 2019
UPON REMOVING MY FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL TO CHECK MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE SUB-FRAME (WHICH HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE STEERING RACK AND SWAY BAR) HAD RUSTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWAY BAR TO COME COMPLETELY LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I RESEARCHE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 23, 2019
Incident date: Apr 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD STARTER FLUID TO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET IT TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPA... Read more
POWER TRAIN Apr 3, 2019
Incident date: Apr 2, 2019
I BOUGHT A USED ACURA AND ON THE WAY HOME ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFTED VIOLENTLY SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID SIDEWAYS .I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 3RD GEAR.EVENTULLY I GOT IT TO RESET AND IT DROVE FINE FOR 35 MINUTES UNTIL ONCE AGAIN IT LOCKED UP DOING ... Read more
ENGINE Dec 7, 2017
Incident date: Dec 4, 2017
ENGINE CRADLE IS TOTALLY BROKEN IN HALF. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE & IT IS ALL I HAVE. ONLY 120,000 MILES ON IT, WAS THIS A DEFECT ON YOUR PART? I NEED HELP. THIS REPAIR INCLUDES REMOVING ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FROM CAR TO ACCESS ENGINE CRADLE. THE COST IS OVER $1500.00 DOLLARS. I TRULY THOU... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Nov 30, 2017
Incident date: May 25, 2015
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID LIGHT WENT OUT. I PAID TO GET THE BALLAST AND INVERTER REPLACED. LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT; SAME ISSUE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE PERSONALLY TALKED TO 4 PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME STORY. THEY ALSO FIXED THE DRIVER'S LIGHT BUT NOT THE PASSENGER DUE TO THE COS... Read more
POWER TRAIN Nov 16, 2017
Incident date: Nov 16, 2017
I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE WENT INTO HIGH RPM'S AND THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I BARELY GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 77,248 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 02-027 FEB 5, 2008, ABOUT TRANMISSION PROB... Read more
STEERING Apr 25, 2017
Incident date: Jun 15, 2004
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DEALERS. ONE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING FAILED A... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Apr 25, 2017
Incident date: Jun 15, 2004
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DEALERS. ONE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING FAILED A... Read more
POWER TRAIN Oct 25, 2016
Incident date: Oct 10, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ELIMINATED, VSA LIGHT COMES ON AND D5 LIGHT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING AFTER TRANSMISSION WARMS UP., CAR WONT SHIFT INTO 4TH OR 5TH GEAR RPMS WIND UP REAL HIGH HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE THEN RESTART TO DRIVE ONLY SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT STARTS DOING THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE... Read more
ENGINE Apr 25, 2016
Incident date: Apr 21, 2016
GOING 5 MPH IN PARKING LOT, COASTING TO A STOP AT END OF AISLE WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE PEDAL. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO HIGH SPEED. BARELY HELD CAR WITH BRAKE. SHUT OFF IGNITION. CAR RESTARTED FINE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK IT HAD HAPPENED. PREVIOUS INCIDENT WAS ON A RE... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Apr 25, 2016
Incident date: Apr 21, 2016
GOING 5 MPH IN PARKING LOT, COASTING TO A STOP AT END OF AISLE WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE PEDAL. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO HIGH SPEED. BARELY HELD CAR WITH BRAKE. SHUT OFF IGNITION. CAR RESTARTED FINE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK IT HAD HAPPENED. PREVIOUS INCIDENT WAS ON A RE... Read more
ENGINE Oct 1, 2015
Incident date: Jun 1, 2015
ERRATIC/RAISED ENGINE IDLE CAUSED BY WORN IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE CREATES A CONDITION WHERE ENGINE IDLE IS SUDDENLY HIGHER THAN 2000RPM IN GEAR WHICH RESULTS/RESULTED IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (VEHICLE SPEEDS UP WITH NO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT) AND THE ENGINE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE BRAKING SYSTEM... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 28, 2015
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOS... Read more
1 injured
AIR BAGS Aug 26, 2015
Incident date: May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD ... Read more
AIR BAGS Mar 17, 2015
Incident date: Sep 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROV... Read more
AIR BAGS Mar 12, 2015
Incident date: Mar 10, 2015
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER VEHICLE SKID ON BLACK ICE CRASHING INTO A SERIES OF TREES CAUSING MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. *TR
Crash
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Feb 13, 2015
Incident date: Jan 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR... Read more
AIR BAGS Jan 31, 2015
Incident date: Jan 1, 2010
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LIETYNXGJJC AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ABOVE IS THE LINK SHOWING THE CAR AND THE AIRBAGS INTACT......UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF
Crash 1 injured 1 deaths
POWER TRAIN Oct 1, 2014
Incident date: Sep 11, 2013
TRANSMISSION FAILED DESPITE THE CAR HAVING THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION BEING PERFORMED AT 60K AND 89K. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO 2ND WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. UPON INVESTIGATING IT WAS FOUND THE CAR WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT I WAS ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 15, 2014
Incident date: May 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED... Read more
POWER TRAIN May 15, 2014
Incident date: May 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED... Read more
POWER TRAIN Feb 22, 2014
Incident date: Feb 14, 2014
WAS DRIVING ON A 3 LANE ROAD. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE RPM'S WERE REVVING UP AND THEN FELT THE TUG WHEN IT WOULD GRAB THE GEAR. KEPT DOING THAT AND THEN STARTED TO 3RD GEAR AS WELL. DOWNSHIFTING SAME THING. THEN IT DID A STRONG LOCK UP OF VEHICLE WHERE IT STOPPED AND... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jun 9, 2013
Incident date: Jun 9, 2013
I OWN A 2003 ACURA 3.2 CL. I READ UP ON THE CAR AND I SEE ACURA HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR. I PUT THE VIN NUMBER IN AND I ALSO CALLED THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBUS GEORGIA AND IT SHOW THAT MY ACURA HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE IN IT FROM THE FIRST RECALL, AT 104,000 MILE... Read more
POWER TRAIN Oct 24, 2012
Incident date: Oct 23, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 19, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL, THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MY CAR GOING UP AND DOWN ON SPEED LIMIT, 65-35 MILES PER HOUR. ALMOST HAD CARS BEHIND ME REAR END MY ACURA CL, SO I PULLED OVER TO AVOID A SUDDEN ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN IN THE ACURA DEAL... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 25, 2012
Incident date: Jul 3, 2012
CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING SUMMER HEATWAVE. INTERIOR WAS HOT. VEHICLE STARTED WITH HESITATION, RAN FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN STALLED AND FAILED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. CRANK, NO START, WAS THE FINAL SYMPTOM. OCCUPANTS WERE NEARLY HIT BY A MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK WHO HAD TROUBLE S... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Aug 25, 2012
Incident date: Jul 3, 2012
CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING SUMMER HEATWAVE. INTERIOR WAS HOT. VEHICLE STARTED WITH HESITATION, RAN FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN STALLED AND FAILED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. CRANK, NO START, WAS THE FINAL SYMPTOM. OCCUPANTS WERE NEARLY HIT BY A MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK WHO HAD TROUBLE S... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 11, 2012
Incident date: Jul 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T... Read more
POWER TRAIN Mar 29, 2012
Incident date: Jan 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH , THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FIFTH GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WERE BLINKING AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RE... Read more
AIR BAGS Oct 4, 2011
Incident date: Oct 1, 2011
I WAS SIDESWIPED BY AN 18-WHEELER ON I-40 IN ARKANSAS AND IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND BARREL ROLL INTO A WOODED AREA. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED- THANK GOD MY SEATBELT WAS ON. MY ACURA CL'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AND THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT QUESTION SHOULD HAVE DEP... Read more
Crash 1 injured
POWER TRAIN Jul 27, 2011
Incident date: Jul 26, 2011
THE CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I DID SOME RESEARCH TO DETERMINE IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, MY CAR WAS STARTIN... Read more
POWER TRAIN May 13, 2011
Incident date: May 12, 2011
WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY VEHICLE FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS AND NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END CRASH. TRANSMISSION FAILED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 17, 2011
Incident date: Dec 13, 2010
ACURA CL 3.2 2003 W/ 60K MILES, MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS EXCEEDING OWNERS MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY BY A PROFESSIONAL FEMALE: CAR BEING DRIVEN ON HEAVILY TRAFFICKED ROAD NORMALLY, AND VERY ABRUPTLY/SUDDENLY GEARED DOWN TO LOW GEAR FROM HIGH GEAR. VIOLENTLY JERKED AND SHI... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 18, 2010
Incident date: Sep 10, 2009
TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 ACURA CLS HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS. IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON AND THROW YOU HARD AGAINST YOUR SEAT BELT. IT WAS SO BAD I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. OTHER ACURA CL'S AND ACURA PRODUCTS HAD A RECALL F... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jun 25, 2009
Incident date: Jun 1, 2009
THERE ARE TWO SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2003 ACURA CL. FIRST, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FLASHING LIKE A STROBE LIGHT. I REPLACED THE BULB AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. REPLACED THE FUSES AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS. SECOND, THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jun 25, 2009
Incident date: Jun 1, 2009
THERE ARE TWO SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2003 ACURA CL. FIRST, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FLASHING LIKE A STROBE LIGHT. I REPLACED THE BULB AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. REPLACED THE FUSES AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS. SECOND, THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL... Read more

Showing 50 of 89 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — ACURA CL

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE02081 Opened: Oct 28, 2002 — Closed: Mar 5, 2003
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2003
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

ACURA CL — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the ACURA CL across all model years (1997–2003).

20 Total Recalls
730 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
49 Reported Crashes
4 Reported Fires
7 Reported Deaths

ACURA CL — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2004 0 2 View
2003 (current) 5 89
2002 2 71 View
2001 3 316 View
2000 0 11 View
1999 3 66 View
1998 5 69 View
1997 2 106 View

Other ACURA Models

Model Recalls Complaints
MDX 510 4,287 View
TLX 340 1,306 View
RDX 335 2,540 View
ILX 275 337 View
RLX 187 163 View
NSX 161 20 View
INTEGRA 132 758 View
TLX TYPE S 120 2 View