Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Acura CL has 36 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 1 powertrain-related recall.
36
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
04V176000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDA...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 7, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I ... |
| Sep 26, 2019 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING N... |
| Apr 2, 2019 | POWER TRAIN | I BOUGHT A USED ACURA AND ON THE WAY HOME ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFTED VIOLENTLY SEV... |
| Nov 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 A... |
| Oct 10, 2016 | POWER TRAIN | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ELIMINATED, VSA LIGHT COMES ON AND D5 LIGHT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING AFTER TRANSMISS... |
| May 12, 2014 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION... |
| Feb 14, 2014 | POWER TRAIN | WAS DRIVING ON A 3 LANE ROAD. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE RPM'S WERE R... |
| Sep 11, 2013 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION FAILED DESPITE THE CAR HAVING THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION BEIN... |
| Aug 1, 2013 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, TH... |
| Jun 9, 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... |
| Oct 23, 2012 | POWER TRAIN | I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 19, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL, THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC AND... |
| Jan 18, 2012 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH , THE TRANSMISSIO... |
| Jul 26, 2011 | POWER TRAIN | THE CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I DID SOME R... |
| Jul 11, 2011 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, TH... |
| May 12, 2011 | POWER TRAIN | WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY VEHICLE FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS AND NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END CRASH. TRANSMISSI... |
| Dec 13, 2010 | POWER TRAIN | ACURA CL 3.2 2003 W/ 60K MILES, MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS EXCEEDING OWNERS MANUAL RECOMMENDATION... |
| Sep 10, 2009 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 ACURA CLS HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS. IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON ... |
| Jun 1, 2009 | POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THERE ARE TWO SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2003 ACURA CL. FIRST, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FLASHING LIKE A STROBE ... |
| May 20, 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 ... |
| Oct 3, 2008 | POWER TRAIN | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED MISSING SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN UNDER LOAD, LIKE GOING ... |