2003 Acura CL

◆ Worse than typical

2003 Acura CL
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:23:19.589Z

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 PER YEAR

2003: 73 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1997	82
1998	55
1999	49
2000	11
2001	271
2002	44
2003	73
2004	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 23%

23% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

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, 20150928

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, 20171116

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20150312

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LIETYNXGJJC AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ABOVE IS THE LINK SHOWING THE CAR AND THE AIRBAGS INTACT......UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF

NHTSA ODI report, 20150131

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, 20050714

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.

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, 20240905

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020830 — engine and engine cooling

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 BO

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 VEHICL

Campaign 02V226000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021028 — PE (closed 20030305)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 73

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

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture