2002 Acura CL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (60% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Acura of escondido located at (1502 auto park way, escondido ca) was contacted and confirmed that part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 acura cl. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed the front driver air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags). The contact stated that keyes woodland hills honda (6111 topanga canyon blvd, woodland hills, ca 91367), exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was 260,878.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura cl. When the vehicle was started, the "srs" warning indicator illuminated and remained lit all day. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but an appointment was scheduled with goodson acura of dallas (4801 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75219) for september 11, 2019. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“The car goes into neutral while driving almost been in a accident several times over this issue .I don't even drive it anymore”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2016
“For a couple days my car would begin stalling while I was driving on the highway. I felt like it slowed down to shift out of gear but never completely shifted. Then, one day when I was driving, on my way home my car slipped out of gear completely and I couldn't drive forward. My car only allowed me to go in reverse. 2after allowing it to sit for a while it would drive but while trying to drive home it constantly slipped out of gear which was very dangerous especially when it happened at an intersection. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2011
“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. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2010
“Automatic transmission fails abruptly. Vehicle accelerates abruptly when gears shift. Potential safety hazard if failure occurs in highway. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2010
“Transmission failure car has only 45k on it. Minor trans repair by prior owner under warranty. Class action applied but past time limit. Acura offered 50% of repair cost not 100%. I believe time limit inappropriate. Time does not damage trans. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2010
“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 or mechanic for repairs. The failure mileage was 173,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2009
“2002 acura cl has had the transmission changed out 4 times; the car is ending it's warranty, and again the transmission is acting up. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
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.
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 THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Acura CL reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Acura CL. The most complained-about area is power train (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Acura CL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Acura CL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.