2003 Acura CL Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Acura CL, 4% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Going 5 MPH in parking lot, coasting to a stop at end of aisle with foot off throttle pedal. Put foot on brake and the engine revved to high speed. Barely held car with brake. Shut off ignition. Car restarted fine. This was the second time in a week it had happened. Previous incident was on a residential street coming to a stop at a stop sign. Acura dealer and Acura techline say the problem can't happen because the throttle control is a hard cable, no electronics involved.”
NHTSA complaint #10861356, filed 2016-04, 74,200 miles“Erratic/raised engine idle caused by worn idle air control valve creates a condition where engine idle is suddenly higher than 2000rpm in gear which results/resulted in unintended acceleration (vehicle speeds up with no accelerator pedal input) and the engine is more powerful than the braking system (with vehicle in drive gear, brake pedal to the floor, vehicle will still move forward.) condition happens to my vehicle when engine is normal operating temperature, with warm to hot ambient temperatures, on any road condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10779109, filed 2015-10, 125,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Acura CL
36 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Acura CL
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology