2002 Acura Cl Problems
Shopping for a used 2002 Acura Cl? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 61 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2002 Acura Cl has 61 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2002 Acura Cl Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Acura Cl has 61 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- Cl
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 61
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Common problems
Most common 2002 Acura Cl problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Airbag Malfunctions. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Acura Cl?
The 2002 Acura Cl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Acura Cl
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the transmission and drivetrain thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and airbag systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the transmission and drivetrain thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and airbag systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Acura Cl, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 61 NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Acura CL, the data suggests a concentration of issues in the transmission/drivetrain system, which accounts for the majority of reports. Other components such as the engine, airbags, and unintended acceleration also appear in complaints, though with lower frequency. The confidence level is low, so these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints dominate the dataset with 43 reports.
- Engine problems and airbag malfunctions each have 5 or more complaints.
- Unintended acceleration and electrical faults are also noted, with 5 and 4 complaints respectively.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported component.
- Engine Problems appear in 8 complaints.
- Airbag Malfunctions are reported in 5 complaints.
Full breakdown
All 2002 Acura Cl complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Acura Cl. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 43 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Acura Cl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 …
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…
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, DA…
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 F…
THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ALMOST BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS ISSUE .I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE
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 …
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…
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 …
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 LAT…
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 TH…
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…
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 FIR…
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 …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Acura Cl.
Safety recalls
2002 Acura Cl recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Acura Cl. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Acura Cl buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Acura Cl reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 61 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Acura Cl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura Cl?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (43 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (8 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Acura Cl?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Acura Cl?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Acura Cl, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 61 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Acura Cl have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Acura Cl. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Acura Cl?▾
The 2002 Acura Cl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Acura Cl reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Acura Cl based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.