MYRModel Year Report

2002 Acura CL

▲ Better than typical
2002 Acura CL
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:23:17.403Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura CL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1997: 82 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 1999 2000: 11 complaints 2000 2001: 271 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 73 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaints 2004
2002: 44 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199782
199855
199949
200011
2001271
200244
200373
20041

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 64%

64% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR STARTED FREE REVVING AND ERRATICALLY UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WITH HARD JERKS. ALL MALFUNCTION INDICATORS LIT UP. ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020830

TRANSMISSION - FIRST SIGN CAME WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE GEARS WOULD BEGIN SLIPPING, DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL I HEARD THE ENGINE RPM'S REV HIGH. EACH DAY FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS THE SYMPTOMS BEGAN TO WORSEN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020826

WHILE DRIVING THERE WILL BE SUDDEN ACCELARATION WITHOUT APPLYING GAS, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD LIGHT UP AND VEHICLE WILL NOT GO OVER 1000 RPM. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION BEING SHOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020423

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

MY SON HIT A POLE AND THE AIR BAG CRUSHED HIM. HE DIED! IT RIPPED HIS AORTA, HIS LIVER, CRUSHED HIS LUNGS, HEAD INJURY, METAL IN CHEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20141021

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200324

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA CL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "SRS" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT ALL DAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190910

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR STARTED FREE REVVING AND ERRATICALLY UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WITH HARD JERKS. ALL MALFUNCTION INDICATORS LIT UP. ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020830

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 7%

7% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

MY SON HIT A POLE AND THE AIR BAG CRUSHED HIM. HE DIED! IT RIPPED HIS AORTA, HIS LIVER, CRUSHED HIS LUNGS, HEAD INJURY, METAL IN CHEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20141021

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20021028 — PE (closed 20030305)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT

R 20040427 — power train

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIO

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201001 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.

Campaign 20V027000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V027000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1999 ● 1998 ◆ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ◆ 1997 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Acura CL reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Acura CL is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura CL?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Acura CL have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.