MYRModel Year Report

2003 Acura CL

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Acura CL
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:01.130Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
73
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

51% 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 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 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 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 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 2003: 73 complaints 2003 73 2004: 1 complaint 2004

2003: 73 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

51% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-28

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-16

Air bags

12% · 9 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags failed to deploy after vehicle skid on black ice crashing into a series of trees causing major front end damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-12

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lietynxgjjc airbags failed to deploy. Above is the link showing the car and the airbags intact......updated…

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-31

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-14

Service brakes

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Exterior lighting

7% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-30

Electrical system

5% · 4 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-09-05

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2002-08-30Engine and engine cooling02V226000 On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with V6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began August 30, 2002. Owners who take their…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2002-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-05 Automatic transmission sudden downshift
  3. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 73 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. 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 →

  5. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V226000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Acura CL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Acura CL is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura CL?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura CL have?
5 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.