2003 Acura CL

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/07/2017· ENGINE

  ENGINE CRADLE IS TOTALLY BROKEN IN HALF. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE & IT IS ALL I HAVE. ONLY 120,000 MILES ON IT, WAS THIS A DEFECT ON YOUR PART? I NEED HELP. THIS REPAIR INCLUDES REMOVING ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FROM CAR TO ACCESS ENGINE CRADLE. THE COST IS OVER $1500.00 DOLLARS. I TRULY THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A QUALITY CAR! I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS HIGHLY UNSAFE VEHICLE OF YOURS!! IT ALSO LURCHES FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT & NOW MUST BORROW AGAIN TO REPAIR THIS CAR. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ON THIS ASAP.

• 11/30/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF I HAVE COME ACROSS 12-17 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME HID HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITHIN A 15 MILE RADIUS, AND THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR THESE LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. A

• 11/16/2017· POWER TRAIN

  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!

• 11/15/2007· POWER TRAIN

  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. *TR

• 11/04/2019· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON, AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE DRIVESHAFT THREE AND FOUR GEAR CABLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 10011555. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,054.

• 10/28/2003· POWER TRAIN

  OWN A 2003 ACURA CL BUILT IN MARCH OF 2002. TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GOING INTO THIRD EIGHT TIMES. REPORTED THIS TO DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT BUT IT WOULD NOT RECCUR. TOLD ME NO PROBBLEM. I AM HAPPY WITH THE DEALER, NOT WITH HONDA. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVENTEEN TIMES STARTING IN LATE SEPTEMBER.*AK

• 10/26/2019· STRUCTURE

  I AM UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CAR STILL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS LIKE NORMAL, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ACTUATOR IS AT FAULT. THE CONTROL ARMS FOR BOTH HANDLES ARE INTACT & SEEM TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. I AM ASSUMING THAT EITHER THE LATCH MECHANISM IS STUCK, JAMMED, OR OTHERWISE DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND THE DOOR ITSELF ISN'T DAMAGED/IMPACTED. I LIVE IN ATLANTA, GA, SO THE LATCH ISN'T FROZEN. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN OLDER MODEL (2003), HOWEVER IN THE PAST I HAVE CLEANED & LUBRICATED THE LATCH/LOCK MECHANISM. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED, AND IN THIS MODEL, IT ISN'T POSSIBLE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT DAMAGE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE UNABLE TO OPEN 1 OF 2 DOORS, ESPECIALLY BEING THAT IT'S THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO FIND ANYONE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THIS SITUATION, AND HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ANY SOLUTION ONLINE.

• 10/26/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I PURCHASED A NEW ACURA 3.2CL TYPE S WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON 5/24/03. IN 6/16/04 WITH 14,396 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS RESURFACED AND MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED WITH UPDATED PADS PER TSB01-017 BECAUSE OF EXTREME VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING (OUT OF ROUND ROTORS DUE TO OVER HEATING). THIS WAS DONE AT NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/26/05 (LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER) WITH 26,097 MILES, ACURA RESURFACED THE ROTOR AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE" AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE OF EXTREME VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING AGAIN. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE NEXT TIME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. NOW 10/25/06 WITH 34,500 MILES I'M REPLACING THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WITH BREMBO ROTORS AND PADS NOT OEM BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON. IN 2004 ACURA TL'S WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAD BIGGER ROTORS AND PADS. PROBABLY TO CORRECT THE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SURFACED WITH 2003 MANUALS. *NM

• 10/25/2016· POWER TRAIN

  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. *TR

• 10/24/2012· POWER TRAIN

  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. *TR

• 10/21/2008· POWER TRAIN

  AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED MISSING SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN UNDER LOAD, LIKE GOING UP HILL. TWO WEEKS LATER IT WON'T SHIFT INTO 3RD AT ALL. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. ONLY 62,000 MILES ON A VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF CAR. HONDA AGREED TO REPLACE SOME OF THESE MODEL YEAR TRANSMISSIONS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. ANECDOTAL INFORMATION, BUT IN SPEAKING WITH A NON ACURA RELATED TRANSMISSION SHOP, HE KNEW EXACTLY HOW MY PROBLEM MANIFESTED ITSELF, AND WHAT IT WAS, WITH ONLY THE MODEL YEAR. CLEARLY HONDA SHOULD BE FORCED TO EXTEND THEIR SERVICE COVERAGE TO AT LEAST THE BALANCE OF THE 2003 MODEL YEAR IF NOT BEYOND. *TR

• 10/18/2003· TIRES,WHEELS

  FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME UNSEATED FROM THE RIM AND JERKED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AT 55 MPH AND INTO A DITCH. *LA

• 10/17/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. *AK

• 10/08/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  ACURA SAYS THEY GUARANTEE ALL PARTS OF THE SAFETY BELT FOR THE USE OF A LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAR HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE INTERMITTENT BUCKLING ISSUES AND SRS AIRBAG SWITCH IS BAD INSIDE A SEALED SAFETY BELT. COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED IF IT WASN'T A SEALED UNIT. THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT'S A CANADIAN CAR EVEN THOUGH IT'S SPENT 100% OF ITS OWNED LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY WANT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY, OVER $400 TO FIX IT. I FEEL MY SAFETY IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THIS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT AND I CAN'T EVEN DO IT MYSELF BECAUSE MY ELECTRIC SEATS WON'T WORK IF I TRY, ONLY FACTORY SOFTWARE CAN RESET THEM SO THEY WORK. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE I HAVE A CANADIAN MADE CAR. I KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS ALL THE SAME PRODUCTION REGULATIONS FOR SAFETY TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES WHETHER THEY'RE MADE IN CANADA OR HERE. WHAT I'M REALLY HOPING FOR IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TRY TO PUT A STOP TO THIS CORPORATE GREED OF ENGINEERING PRODUCTS POORLY AND NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH A FIX AND TRYING TO PROFIT OFF OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS FIX IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE IT AT A FAIR PRICE. THE SAFETY BELT PROBABLY COST THEM NO MORE THAN $20 BUT BY THE TIME EVERYONE MAKES THEIR PROFIT AND IT COMES TO ME AND THEN ADD THE LABOR TOGETHER WE'RE OVER $400 TO HAVE MY SAFETY BACK WHEN THEY SAY THAT THEY GUARANTEE THEIR SAFETY BELTS FOR LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, AND YOU CAN FIND THIS INFORMATION ONLINE. I WAS HOPING THAT THEY WOULD BE ISSUED A MAJOR FINE TO MAKE IT SO THEY DON'T TREAT OTHER CUSTOMERS THIS WAY AS WELL. I KNOW THERE ARE PROBABLY REASONS TO SEAL A SAFETY BELT SO THAT IT IS NOT TAMPERED WITH BUT THEY USED TO MAKE SPECIALTY TOOLS SO WE COULD BE ACCESSED EASILY FOR CLEANING AND CHANGING OF THESE INEXPENSIVE SWITCHES.

• 10/07/2006· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  MANUAL TRANS/CLUTCH - LOOSES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN LOW AIR TEMPS AND WHEN CAR IS SITTING ON A HILL. HARD TO SHIFT ONLY IN 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR. THERE WERE VERY FEW ACURA 2002/2003 CL 3.2 TYPE SS MADE, SO EVEN A COUPLE COMPLAINTS SHOULD WARRANT A REVIEW. I FOUND NUMEROUS FORUMS WITH OWNERS COMPLAINING AND ASKING FOR HELP FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM. I'VE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANS CARS AND TRUCKS FOR 22 YRS TO INCLUDE ONE HONDA THAT STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH AT 225K MILES, SO IT IS NOT A DRIVER RELATED PROBLEM. ALL THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR...THAT FAILED. ACURA HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT, WHEN THEY TRY TO SHIFT INTO SECOND WHEN CROSSING A BUSY STREET AND CANT. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I JUST GOT LUCKY. *NM

• 10/04/2011· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS SIDESWIPED BY AN 18-WHEELER ON I-40 IN ARKANSAS AND IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND BARREL ROLL INTO A WOODED AREA. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED- THANK GOD MY SEATBELT WAS ON. MY ACURA CL'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AND THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT QUESTION SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I NEED THIS INVESTIGATED... I CANNOT BELIEVE ACURA AIRBAGS FAILED ON ME. *TR

• 10/02/2025· POWER TRAIN

  I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I operated the vehicle. There is a grinding sound whenever the transmission is placed in third gear. I brought the car to Acura by Executive in Wallingford, CT at some point in 2021 to enquire about the issue. I was informed by the service advisor that the problem is a known issue but because there is no recall on the issue and the vehicle is out of warranty Acura is not required to resolve it. Recently I came across service bulletin 08-018 and noticed where it stated that after warranty expiration a repair may be eligible for goodwill consideration. I called Acura Customer Service, was given case #15843108, and told to acquire a formal diagnosis from an Acura dealership. The diagnosis from Acura of Berlin in Berlin, CT verified that the symptoms were the result of the faulty transmission as described in the TSB. I submitted this information to Acura Customer Service and was informed on September 29, 2025, that due to the age of the vehicle Acura will not compensate me fully or partially for the repair. In my view, although this is an older vehicle, it has low mileage at 102.000 miles and is therefore expected to be on the road for many years. The transmission only grinds at this point, but it may start to pop out of third gear in the future as described in the TSB. I consider this a safety issue in that the transmission popping out of gear unexpectedly would result in some loss of control of the vehicle. I don't expect Acura to fully compensate me for this repair but in light of this problem being a known and documented issue with this vehicle and all the parts for repair are still available I would expect that Acura would stand by its product and offer to contribute to the total cost of this repair.

• 10/01/2015· ENGINE

  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.

• 10/01/2014· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED DESPITE THE CAR HAVING THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION BEING PERFORMED AT 60K AND 89K. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO 2ND WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. UPON INVESTIGATING IT WAS FOUND THE CAR WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

• 09/28/2015· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 09/23/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2CL. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE SECOND MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION); HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE MILEAGE THAT WAS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

• 09/14/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A TRANSMISSION RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *NM *JB RECALL#04V176000

• 09/07/2004· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  TRANMISSION FAILURES: 2003 ACURA CL. 1ST INCIDENT WAS AT 3,000 MILES. CAR STALLED AND WAS ACTING UP ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY IN CA (405 FREEWAY). I WASN'T IN A FAMILIAR AREA WHEN I PULLED OVER. ACURA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHEN I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE ONE WAS. IT WAS DANGEROUS BUT I ENDED UP MAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND SOME OTHER FLUIDS AFTER 1 WEEK OF BEING IN THE SHOP. 2ND INCIDENT WAS AT 25K MILES AND NOT EVEN 2 YRS OLD. CAR WAS PULLING I SLOWED DOWN AND HAD A BLOW OUT ON ANOTHER FREEWAY. IT IS IN THE SHOP AS WE SPEAK. THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. I'LL BE WITHOUT MY CAR A WEEK.*AK

• 09/05/2024· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes with the alarm not shutting off. This is after having keys re-programmed and most parts replaced for a hefty price tag. Due to this, the vehicle will only start at times. I've seen several similar complaints and taken it to many costly mechanics. I paid $7,000 for this vehicle a couple of years ago but only got to drive it a few times because there is always an issue that can't be fixed.

• 08/28/2006· POWER TRAIN

  HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AFTER 89,000 MILES. *JB

• 08/27/2002· POWER TRAIN

  THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY LOCKED HILE PROCEEING DOWN THE ROAD. IN CONTACTING THE ACURA DEALER IN MOBILE, AL (MY CLOSEST DEALER) I WAS INFORMED THEY HAD 4 IN THE SHOP THIS WEEK ALONE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THEM THE TRANSMISSIONNEED A EXTERNAL COOLER WHICH THEY NOW INSTALL ON THE NEWER MODELA. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRICE TO FIX MINE WOULD BE $5,100 PLUS INCIDENTALS. WITH THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THIS AND THE FACT IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IT NEED TO BE A RECALL ITEM.*AK

• 08/26/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 08/25/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING SUMMER HEATWAVE. INTERIOR WAS HOT. VEHICLE STARTED WITH HESITATION, RAN FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN STALLED AND FAILED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. CRANK, NO START, WAS THE FINAL SYMPTOM. OCCUPANTS WERE NEARLY HIT BY A MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK WHO HAD TROUBLE STOPPING. AFTER THE CAR WAS HAULED TO A SHADY LOCATION, THE INTERIOR COOLED AND IT AGAIN STARTED. SINCE THAT SENTINEL EVENT, THE CAR STALLED OR FAILED TO START 3-4 TIMES-- EACH TIME AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE SUN. TRACED PROBLEM TO A FAILED SOLDER JOINT IN THE PGM-FI MAIN RELAY UNDER THE DASH. IT CONTROLS POWER TO FUEL AND ECU. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS NOT DESIGNED TO TOLERATE THE EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION ASSOCIATED WITH TEMP CHANGES IN THE INTERIOR. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM LARGE REPAIR BILLS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND INAPPROPRIATE REPAIRS BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. RELAY NEEDS RECALLED! AFFECTS NEARLY EVERY HONDA / ACURA SINCE APPROX. 1998. *TR

• 08/25/2006· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60,000 MILES. AFTER HEARING THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I CALLED ACURA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE (ACCORDING TO THE VIN #). THEY AGREED TO CHECK TO SEE WHETHER IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT THE PROCESS THEY SUGGESTED WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD COVER THE PROBLEM. I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. I NOW SEE THE VIN #'S THAT WERE AFFECTED AND IT LOOKS LIKE MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

• 08/21/2019· SUSPENSION

  UPON REMOVING MY FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL TO CHECK MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE SUB-FRAME (WHICH HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE STEERING RACK AND SWAY BAR) HAD RUSTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWAY BAR TO COME COMPLETELY LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY LATE 1990S AND EARLY 2000 HONDA/ACURA MODELS (PRIMARILY HONDA ACCORDS, ACURA TL AND CL MODELS) HAD THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE POORLY DESIGNED AIR-CONDITIONING CONDENSER DRAIN THAT DRAINED RIGHT ON TOP OF THIS PART, CAUSING AN EXTREME RUST CONDITION. (THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE OF THIS PART STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW AND IS SOUND) IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THESE CARS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THIS PART REPLACED (A REPAIR OF THIS PART IS NOT POSSIBLE, IT MUST BE A FULL REPLACEMENT), I WILL RETAIN THE REMOVED PART FOR INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL SHOULD YOU DESIRE TO SEE IT. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION AS BEST I COULD. (I'M SORRY THE PHOTOS ARE NOT BETTER, IT'S A DIFFICULT AREA TO REACH WITH A CAMERA)

• 08/15/2023· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  I have an SRS light illuminated on my dashboard. Upon researching this, it is apparently a sensor issue which, when the light is on, indicates that the sensor in the seat - belt is malfunctioning, and this will keep the air bags from deploying. This of course is a serious safety issue. Also, in reviewing the warranty information, it states that all seat-belt issues are under a lifetime warranty. I'm wondering if you could provide confirmation of this. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Randal Steadman

• 08/13/2002· TIRES

  CHUNKS OF TREAD MISSING FROM THE CENTERS OF TIRES BOTH FRONT TIRES. *AK

• 08/12/2005· STRUCTURE

  2003 ACURA CL HAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH BLOCKS THE CONSUMER'S VIEW OF THE STREET.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER TRIED WEAR SUNGLASSES BUT THAT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE GLARE OR RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *NM

• 07/26/2011· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I DID SOME RESEARCH TO DETERMINE IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, MY CAR WAS STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. SINCE THE CAR HAS FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE (79,201) I THOUGHT THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT ODD. NOW THAT I THINK OF IT, IT STILL APPEARS THAT THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED (AS THESE THINGS SHOULD LAST 100K+ MILES). I'M LOGGING THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF ANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

• 07/25/2006· POWER TRAINCrash

  MY 2003 ACURA CL-TYPE S MANUAL 6 SPEED IS ALSO HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER OWNERS WITH CHANGE IN PEDAL PRESSURE AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING IN COLD WEATHER, SOMETIMES WITH GEARS GRINDING AND IT IS UNAVOIDABLE UNLESS YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND START FROM 1ST GEAR AGAIN,REVERSE IS ALSO A ISSUE, SOMETIMES IT WONT GO IN AT ALL, I HAVE BEEN TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIPS TO PURCHASE THE NEW TRANNY SENSORS WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL, NOTHING UNUSUAL AND MY TRANSMISSION TOTALLY LOCKED ON 3RD GEAR, LUCKILY I OR ANYBODY ELSE WAS HURT. MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FENDER WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE I HAD TO MANEUVER VEHICLE OUT OF FREEWAY TRAFFIC TO AVOID A MAJOR COLLISION. ALSO FRONT BUMPER NEEDS SOME REPAIR AND REPAINTING. *JB

• 07/18/2002· TIRES

  WHILE PARKING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A SECTION OF CURBING THAT WAS EXTENDED FROM THE NEXT SECTION OF CURBING, THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS FLAT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SIDEWALL WAS BROKEN.*YH

• 07/14/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WAS CUT OFF ON INTERSTATE. TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD. WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD STRUCK SOME TREES WITH FRONT IMPACT WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND DAMAGED WAS SUSTAINED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AS WELL AS THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 4 AIR BAGS. HOWEVER ONLY ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WHO WAS IN DRIVER'S SEAT DID SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. CONSUMER WAS AWAITING POLICE REPORT, BUT INSURANCE DID STATE IT WAS TOTALED. *AK

• 07/14/2003· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 ACURA CLS HESITATES DURING CERTAIN SHIFTS AND IT HAS DOWNSHIFTED AND UPSHIFTED AT THE WRONG TIMES.*AK

• 07/11/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 07/05/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE CALIPER MOUNT/BRACKET DEVELOPED SUPERFICIAL CORROSION WHICH REDUCED THE TOLERANCE FOR THE BRAKE PAD,S MAKING THEM RESISTANT TO SLIDING--BOUND. BRAKE PADS ADHERED TO CHROME BEARING MATERIAL BETWEEN PAD AND CALIPER BRACKET, AND BEARING MATERIAL, ACTED LIKE A RETURN SPRING INCREASING THE TOLERANCES TO THE ROTOR WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE RELEASED. UPON EMERGENCY BRAKING, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WAS EXCESSIVE, AND AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. CORROSION WAS MACHINED FROM CALIPER MOUNT/BRACKET AND WEATHER RESISTANT LUBRICANT APPLIED. PADS AND SHIMS WERE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER PARTS. ACURA CL 2003. *AK

• 06/29/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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. *NLM

• 06/27/2005· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 ACURA CL TYPE S. ACURA HAS REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THE 3RD TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN THE CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES, THEY SENT SERVICE BULLETINS REQUESTING SERVICE INDUCED SLIPPAGE BETWEEN GEARS AND REDUCTIN OF HORSEPOWER TO REDUCE STRAIN ON THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS ADVERTISED AS A HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMOBILE AND UNKNOWN TO THE CUSTOMER TO TAKE CARE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THEY ARE ADJUSTING THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR IN EXCESS OF 15 TIMES. AS A PARAPLEGIC CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR THIS HAS DRAMATICALLY IMPACTED MY QUALITY OF LIFE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. RON CHEEK

• 06/26/2003· TIRES

  THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WHEN THE CONSUMER CHANGED LANES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND TURNED 180 DEGREES. *SCC *JB

• 06/25/2009· POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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. THE ENGINE IS JERKING AND ACCELERATING WHEN I AM TRYING TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED. I NOTIFIED ACURA AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. NEITHER ARE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TR

• 06/24/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE DRAGS AND FRONT VIBRATES. CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS/PADS; BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND PADS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. *YH

• 06/18/2009· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE OFF WHEN IT'S ON DRIVE FELL LIKE IT ON NEUTRAL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND WOULD NOT REVERSE WHEN IT'S ON R 2003 ACURA CL TYPE-S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAULTY. ACCORDING TO THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST ACURA THEY ARE LIABLE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. ACRE HAS OFFER TO EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS 9 MONTHS OR 109,000 MILES. I CALLED ACRE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND ASKED ABOUT THE EXTEND WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED ON RECALL 2004 AND IT WAS A ONE TIME FIXED ONLY, NO EXTEND WARRANTY BECAUSE VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY. *TR

• 06/09/2013· POWER TRAIN

  I OWN A 2003 ACURA 3.2 CL. I READ UP ON THE CAR AND I SEE ACURA HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR. I PUT THE VIN NUMBER IN AND I ALSO CALLED THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBUS GEORGIA AND IT SHOW THAT MY ACURA HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE IN IT FROM THE FIRST RECALL, AT 104,000 MILEAGE MY TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT AGAIN. I KNOW THIS CAN NOT BE NATURAL FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR IS AN 2003 WITH THE MILEAGE 104,000 WHICH IS A GREAT FOR AN 2003. THIS IS MY FIRST ACURA AND IT HAVE MADE ME LOVE THE ACURA FAMILY. CAN YOU PLEASE REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

• 05/15/2014· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 107,000.

• 05/13/2011· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY VEHICLE FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS AND NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END CRASH. TRANSMISSION FAILED.

• 05/02/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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. *NLM