2002 Acura CL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 75%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Acura CL, 75% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10068317, filed 2004-05, 38,000 miles“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 complaint #10007768, filed 2003-02, 24,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125309, filed 2005-06, 42,900 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10120061, filed 2005-05, 41,000 miles“Driving on the dan ryan expressway into the city of chicago, I experienced a sudden and non-provoked downshift in my 2002 Acura CL type s transmission. I was traveling approximately 65 miles per hour when the transmission downshifted from 5th to 2nd gear. Fortunately, no one plowed into the back of me, and the car was still drivable after this occurred. The car is now at the dealer, waiting for it's transmission to be replaced. I purchased the car in december 2001 and at drop-off at the dealer, the car only has 7998 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003293, filed 2003-01, 7,960 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Acura CL 2001–2003, TL 2000–2004, Honda Odyssey 2002–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10117865Aug 30, 2017Service 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…
- 10024664Feb 5, 2008Warranty extension: 3.2 tl and 3.2 cl automatic transmission.
- 10018044Sep 1, 2005Don't invite problems doing 2nd gear inspection. Acura servicenews.
- 10016261May 16, 2005Canon a75 digital camera replacement.
- 10014766Jan 1, 2005P1706 a/t switch short or open.
- 10013911Oct 1, 2004A/t solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013909Oct 1, 2004How to remove a stubborn atf filler bolt.
- 10013905Oct 1, 2004How to replenish atf on vehicles with a/t oil jet kits.
- 10013746Sep 16, 2004Automatic transmission fluid (atf) filler plug stuck in case. Acura tech summary line for dealer distribution.
- 10013745Sep 16, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria. Acura tech line summary for dealer distribution.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Acura CL
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Acura CL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology