Acura CL Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Acura CL options? We analyzed 3 model years (2001–2003) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Acura CL has 414 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls across model years 2001–2003. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- CL
- Model years analyzed
- 2001–2003 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 414
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Crash-related complaints
- 21
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2002 (61 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe ACURA CL has 414 NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. 21 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 414 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 10 federal recall campaigns
- 21 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
10 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2001–2003. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 414 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
414 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
UNKNOWN
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.
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.
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.
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.
THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ALMOST BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS ISSUE .I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE
Read 14 more owner reports
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
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
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS ABRUPTLY. VEHICLE ACCELERATES ABRUPTLY WHEN GEARS SHIFT. POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF FAILURE OCCURS IN HIGHWAY. *TR
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
MY BUSINESS PURCHASED TWO BRAND NEW 2002 ACURA VEHICLES, A CL AND A TL IN SEPT. OF 2001. THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR TL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE ALL OF THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE MAKE/MODELS ARE BAD AND WHEN THEY GO OUT ACURA PROMISED TO REPLACE THEM AS LONG AS WE WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE TRADED IN THE TL YEARS AGO, BUT I KEPT THE CL. WHEN MY FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE CL IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. NOW THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND ACURA IS SAYING THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE PRICE OF THE REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY GAVE ME A TRANS THAT THEY KNEW WAS GOING TO GO OUT AND NOW THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR BAD PRODUCT?? MY HUSBAND WAS A MASTER MECHANIC FOR ACURA FOR 10 YEARS AND KNOWS THAT ACURA REBUILDS THESE BAD TRANS AND REPLACES THEM W/ OTHER REBUILT BAD TRANS. THEY KNOWINGLY GAVE ME A BAD PRODUCT AND NOW EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR IT?? I WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THESE TRANS FREE OF CHARGE. NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE/A CAR THAT IS NOT GOING TO SELL CAR.. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? THANK YOU.. *TR
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
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
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
MY 2002 MDX HAS 75,000 MILES AND NEEDS THE ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED. IT WAS REPORTED BY LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ACURA'S DESIGN FLAWS ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS FOR 2001, 2002 MDX. LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS MAY BE FOUND ATHTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/ACURA-MDX/T54QBSPDKRMCCNV0A IT IS A DISASTER FOR CONSUMERS TO PAY FOR THE DESIGN DEFECTS! *TR
MIL COMES ON WITH DTC P1457 - SIGNALING EVAP BYPASS SOLENOID FAILURE. *TR
MULTIPLE ENGINE MOUNT FAILURES ON 2002 ACURA MDX. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 40,000 MILES. SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AT 79,000 MILES. BOTH FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED BY AN ACURA DEALER AS IMPORTANT MECHANICAL AND SAFETY CONCERNS. BOTH FAILURES WERE REMEDIED BY AN ACURA DEALER. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
THE 2001 ACURA MDX STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THEN KICKS BACK IN GEAR. IT'S KIND OF DANGEROUS TO ME. IT SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ACURA DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
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
Showing 20 of 414 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Acura CL
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Acura CL, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Acura CL has 414 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Acura CL has 10 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 21 of the Acura CL's 414 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Acura CL vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Acura CL vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Acura CL has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Acura CL stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Acura CL by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Acura CL.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Acura CL reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Acura CL reliable?
Poor. The Acura CL has 414 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Acura CL years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (61 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Acura CL problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (287 complaints); AIR BAGS (48 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (19 complaints).
Does the Acura CL have recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Acura CL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.