What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Acura CL

Typical pattern

14.5% of complaints about the 2003 Acura CL came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (36 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 75,000 miles.

Complaints
83
Median age at failure
8.8 yr
Median mileage
74,455 n=59
Crash / fire / tow
9.6% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
36 reports · 75,000 mi
7.0 yr
5.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V499000 2019-06-27
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V182000 2019-03-06
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V320000 2015-05-28
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

04V176000 2004-04-15
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 SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

02V226000 2002-08-28
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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 BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 6,000 mi 10 mo in service
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 ACURA CLS HESITATES DURING CERTAIN SHIFTS AND IT HAS DOWNSHIFTED AND UPSHIFTED AT THE WRONG TIMES.*AK
Power train 36,000 mi 1.0 yr in service
OWN A 2003 ACURA CL BUILT IN MARCH OF 2002. TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GOING INTO THIRD EIGHT TIMES. REPORTED THIS TO DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT BUT IT WOULD NOT RECCUR. TOLD ME NO PROBBLEM. I AM HAPPY WITH THE DEALER, NOT WITH HONDA. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVENTEEN TIMES STARTING IN LATE SEPTEMBER.*AK
Power train mileage not reported 2.0 yr in service
THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A TRANSMISSION RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *NM *JB RECALL#04V176000

Other CL model years

2003200220011998

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