RoadVitals

2002 Acura Cl Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 15, 2001

What this page shows

Our database holds 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Acura Cl. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 44 · page 1 of 2

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10436752
Incident
Nov 10, 2009
Mileage
173,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 19, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10331208
Incident
May 10, 2010
Mileage
85,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 16, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10320244
Incident
Mar 7, 2010
Mileage
45,500 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 18, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10216085
Incident
Jan 6, 2005
Mileage
103,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Dec 27, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10212993
Incident
Nov 10, 2007
Mileage
171,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 16, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10203151
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Transmission
Filed Oct 7, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10170205
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Mileage
55,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 14, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10125309
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
42,900 mi
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+6 more
Filed May 6, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10120061
Incident
Mar 18, 2005
Mileage
41,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSeat belts+2 more
Filed Mar 23, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10119198
Incident
Sep 29, 2002
Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10090023
Incident
Aug 30, 2004
Mileage
33,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 5, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10068317
Incident
Sep 20, 2002
Mileage
38,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 30, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD THEN THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE PINION SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10052146
Incident
Dec 30, 2003
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2003

ROTORS ARE WARPING PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES A GRINDING NOISE IS PRODUCED. THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10046295
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
45,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 12, 2003

I OWN A 2002 ACURA CL TYPE S. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE TRANSMISSION STILL HAD PROBLEMS AND WAS SLIPPING BUT MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH IT WHEN I KNEW THAT THERE DEFINITELY WAS. AFTER GOING THE WINTER WITH A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION, IT'S NOW SUMMER AND IT IS GETTING WORST EVERY DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP TODAY AND ONCE AGAIN I'M FACED WITH FIRST A TRANSMISSION FLUSH THEN ANOTHER REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. I FEEL ACURA, NOT THE DEALERSHIP, HAS SHOWN THAT A GREAT REPUTATION CAN BE DISSOLVED QUICKLY BY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, SLOW REACTION TO PROBLEMS, AND NOT FIXING A CLEAR PROBLEM. ACURA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES TO 100K ON THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BUT THIS DOES ME NO GOOD. THIS IS A BUSINESS CAR AND I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THE HEADACHE OF TAKING MY CAR IN CONSTANTLY FOR SERVICE. I BOUGHT MY ACURA BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION AND BECAUSE OF OWNING A GREAT HONDA AUTOMOBILE IN THE PAST. I WILL NOW NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA/ACURA PRODUCT AND THEY HAVE LOST A GOOD CUSTOMER. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018581
Incident
Jul 30, 2002
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2003

FRONT END (BRAKES) VIBRATION TO STEERING WHEEL AND ENTIRE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING @ 60MPH WHEN DECENDING A RELATIVELY STEEP GRADE

NHTSA ID
10010995
Incident
Mar 24, 2003
Mileage
15,804 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 18, 2003

2002 ACURA CL 3.2 TYPE S TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE ABOUT 24K MILES AND RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. WHILE GOING 30MPH WITH THE 3RD GEAR, IF YOU ACCELERATE SO THAT THE SECOND GEAR KICKS IN, IN KICKS IN VERY SHARPLY, CREATING AN UNBEARING JERK THAT IS VERY OBSTRUSIVE INSIDE THE CABIN. HONDA SHOULD PLACE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. DEALER WAS WILLING TO REPLACE IT BUT I'M NOT SURE IF NEW TRANSMISSION WILL BE BETTER THAN THE OLD ONE.

NHTSA ID
10007768
Incident
Feb 14, 2003
Mileage
24,000 mi

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .