MYRModel Year Report

2002 Acura CL

▲ Better than typical
2002 Acura CL
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:55.815Z

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
44
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

75% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 82 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 1999 2000: 11 complaints 2000 2001: 271 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 44 2003: 73 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint 2004
1997: 82 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 1999 2000: 11 complaints 2000 2001: 271 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 44 2003: 73 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint 2004
1997: 82 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 1999 2000: 11 complaints 2000 2001: 271 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 44 2003: 73 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint 2004

2002: 44 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199782
199855
199949
200011
2001271
200244
200373
20041

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

75% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

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, 2002-08-30

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

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, 2002-08-26

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-04-23

Air bags

11% · 5 reports
CRASHDEATH
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-10-21

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and suspension

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, 2020-03-24

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, 2019-09-10

Also filed under Electrical system

Vehicle speed control

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

Electrical system

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

Service brakes

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing air and hydraulic.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-05 Automatic transmission sudden downshift
  2. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2020-10-01Air bags20V027000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 20V027000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 75% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Acura CL have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.