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Exterior lightingPart report

2003 Acura CL Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
7%of 73 total for the year
Median mileage
70,608miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Acura CL, 7% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,608 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.

“I have a 2003 Acura cls that required replacement of a headlight at 66000 miles. This headlight cost $928.85. This is a traffic safety item. It should not cost so much to make a young auto safe to drive. I believe this a manufactoring defect. It should be listed as a saftey recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10148875, filed 2006-01, 66,216 miles

“There are two safety issues with my 2003 Acura CL. First, the headlights are flashing like a strobe light. I replaced the bulb and it did not fix the problem. Replaced the fuses and still have the problems. Second, the transmission is failing. After some research, I found out that there was a recall on the transmission and could lock up and cause an accident. At the time of the recall, the first owner did not have it replaced. The dealership replaced an engine cooler to help with friction. This obviously did not solve the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10274956, filed 2009-06, 75,000 miles

“The driver's side hid light went out. I paid to get the ballast and inverter replaced. Less than 3 weeks later, the passenger side went out; same issue. Since then, I have personally talked to 4 people with the exact same story. They also fixed the driver's light but not the passenger due to the cost. A service man at the Acura store told me he has a friend with the same car as mine, same issue. Also, he has had quite a few customers go thru the same thing. In, addition, I have seen 3 cars with the passenger headlight out in my area. …”

NHTSA complaint #11051432, filed 2017-11

“Blue high intensity lighting creates a hazard to oncoming traffic. I seems to me that standard high beams are less hazardous to approaching traffic, and I along with almost everyone I have spoken to would like to see these be illegal to use on whichever models they are installed.”

NHTSA complaint #10023980, filed 2003-06

“I am complaining about the new hid headlights on some new vehicles. They are very blinding to me and dangerous. They should be banned. I cannot fill out the rest of this correctly because dates and the complaint questions do not fit.”

NHTSA complaint #10016900, filed 2003-05

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200357%
199812%
199711%

Other parts of the 2003 Acura CL

Transmission and drivetrain
36 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints
Other 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 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