2003 Acura CL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 49%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Acura CL, 49% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“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 miles“I was riding on the highway when the engine went into high RPM's and the car was slowing down. The automatic transmission went out. I barely got to the side of the road without power. The car only has 77,248 miles on it. There was Acura service bulletin 02-027 feb 5, 2008, about tranmission problems. Very scarey!”
NHTSA complaint #11046666, filed 2017-11, 77,248 miles“Check engine light eliminated, vsa light comes on and d5 light flashes while driving after transmission warms up., car wont shift into 4th or 5th gear rpms wind up real high have to pull over turn off engine then restart to drive only short distance before it starts doing the same thing. The vehicle was driving on the freeway at approx. 65 MPH when car suddenly started downshifting on its own causing me to almost crashed when I was jerked to the side of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10918814, filed 2016-10, 207,000 miles“1) rough shifting. 2) gear would not change, erratic shifting, and then car would not move. 3) 01-some 03 cls had many problem w/ transmission so transmission warranty was extended to 109k but I have an 03 that is not covered and transmission blew. Dealer paid for the transmission but I had to pay for labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10209098, filed 2007-11, 74,455 miles“I was driving down interstate 19, when the transmission started to fail, there was heavy traffic and my car going up and down on speed limit, 65-35 miles per hour. Almost had cars behind me rear end my Acura CL, so I pulled over to avoid a sudden accident, the vehicle had just been in the Acura dealership for a minor inspection of a sudden noise in the transmission area. They advised me that it was starting to miss and did not mention not to drive it. A new transmission costs $4700.”
NHTSA complaint #10482047, filed 2012-10, 172,000 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
- 10195036May 28, 2021Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
- 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…
- 10026204Jul 18, 2008Acura: 6 speed manual transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear. Transmission has a faulty 3rd gear synchronizer or…
- 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.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Acura CL
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
3 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 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