Acura CL Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 585 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Acura CL (1997–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 271. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (325 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All CL model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 73 | 74,728 | 5 | 93 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 44 | 45,000 | 2 | 53 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 271 | 63,000 | 3 | 45 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 11 | 21,035 | 0 | 8 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 49 | 102,587 | 3 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 55 | 96,612 | 5 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 82 | 107,677 | 2 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain325 55%
- Air bags76 13%
- Electrical system61 10%
- Brakes27 4.6%
- Suspension26 4.4%
- Vehicle speed control25 4.3%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)24 4.1%
- Engine cooling24 4.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2001: “While driving on the highway at 65mph, my car suddenly slipped out of gear, engine revving and smoke pouring from under the hood. I had gotten no warning at all.the check engine light never came on and the car had no prior instances of gear problems. Had to get it towed home where it sits in my driveway because I can't afford a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11309666, filed 2020-02, 100,000 miles2003: “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 65mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11193565, filed 2019-04, 148,000 miles1998: “The vehicle died while driving down the road. I see where there was a recall for ignition switch but I am told by the dealer there is no active recall. The car belongs to my mother. The dealer did not change the part in 2012 because the dealer could not replicate the complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #11075216, filed 2018-02, 95,000 milesOther Acura models
3,322 complaintsAcura TL
3,117 complaintsAcura RDX
2,177 complaintsAcura TLX
891 complaintsAcura TSX
671 complaintsAcura Integra
658 complaintsAcura RL
417 complaintsAcura Legend
382 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology