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2002 Acura CLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 44 owner complaints about the 2002 Acura CL, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-027 the manufacturer reports only 8% of affected cars repaired.

2002 Acura CL
63
CarFlaw IndexSolid year42% below the CL median · #6 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 8%Owner complaints441 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage41kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Acura CL has problems

44 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train330
Air bags51
Engine and engine cooling40
Electrical system40
Vehicle speed control40
Electronic stability control (ESC)31
Service brakes, air20
Equipment20
Seat belts20
7 other systems81

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 Acura CL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

8%repaired · 2022 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-027 · Jan 17, 2020 · 875,966 vehicles · 73,043 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 04V-176 · Apr 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other CL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the CL median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Acura CL safety ratings

2002 Acura 3.2 CL 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Acura CL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTPE02081 · closed Mar 5, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What CL owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ALMOST BEEN IN A ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS ISSUE.I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE
Complaint 10839724 · Mar 3, 2016 · 228,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND EXHIBITED A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER…
Complaint 10436752 · Nov 22, 2011 · 173,000 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS ABRUPTLY. VEHICLE ACCELERATES ABRUPTLY WHEN GEARS SHIFT. POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF FAILURE OCCURS IN HIGHWAY. *TR
Complaint 10331208 · May 19, 2010 · 85,000 miles

Own a 2002 CL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.