RoadVitals

2002 Acura Cl

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
44
Latest Feb 28, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 17, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
0 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Acura Cl, most frequently naming the transmission, driver assistance and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 143 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission3146.3%
  • Driver assistance69.0%
  • Airbags57.5%
  • Engine46.0%
  • Electrical46.0%
  • Brakes34.5%
  • Other / unspecified23.0%
  • Seat belts23.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V027000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 17, 2020
875,966 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number U6R, H6SView on NHTSA.gov
04V176000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Apr 15, 2004
1,099,796 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The 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.
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)Manufacturer number P30/P31View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02081ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT

Opened Oct 28, 2002
Closed Mar 5, 2003

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 44
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 28, 2023

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID
11509494
Incident
Feb 28, 2023
Airbags
Filed Apr 20, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11321734
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
260,878 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 24, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11319134
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 10, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11254523
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 14, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11015278
Incident
Aug 14, 2017
Mileage
194,600 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 3, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10839724
Incident
Feb 8, 2016
Mileage
228,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Oct 21, 2014
Crash reported1 death reported

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

NHTSA ID
10649102
Incident
Nov 9, 2010
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 2, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10453834
Incident
Apr 25, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

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EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Test

B18010I

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.

B18010I

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.

BTS170801

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.

BTS170801

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.

B90-009

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

Service bulletin - You are required to install a remanufactured A/T (automatic transmission) and torque converter on any vehicle with an internal failure that calls for A/T disassembly that is covered under any of the programs listed.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura Cl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004100—
2003735461.2
2002Viewing442146.7
20012713155.5
2000110036.3
1999493047.9
1998555049.0
1997822046.5

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.