KnownCarProblems2002 Acura CL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Acura CL, most often about the transmission (75% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about CL model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Acura CL problems
Transmission
33 complaints · 75%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Since the second day of having my car, my car has been continuously plagued with problems. I have taken my car in for repair over 10 times for various and sometimes repeating problems. This all has occurred within a three year period. I have never had a vehicle that has had so many problems. Some of the problems have…
Transmission problem: erratic shifting, hard downshifts, shifts from 5th gear into 2nd gear at high speed: close-to-death experience on the highway!! This has happened 3 months after the recall service was done concluding nothing wrong. From my research I have found that the recall - "band-aid fix" does not fix whats…
Air bags
5 complaints · 11%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.
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…
Speed control
4 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Since the second day of having my car, my car has been continuously plagued with problems. I have taken my car in for repair over 10 times for various and sometimes repeating problems. This all has occurred within a three year period. I have never had a vehicle that has had so many problems. Some of the problems have…
Engine
4 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: engine.
Electrical
4 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: wiring.
Consumer states transmission has failed 2x while driving since vehicle purchased. First incident was on 7/5/02. Transmission was replaced by dlr on 7/15/02, but then failed again on 7/21/02 while driving 30mph. Consumer states was almost rear-ended in the during the last incident. Mr there was clunking/grinding noise…
Since the second day of having my car, my car has been continuously plagued with problems. I have taken my car in for repair over 10 times for various and sometimes repeating problems. This all has occurred within a three year period. I have never had a vehicle that has had so many problems. Some of the problems have…
Brakes
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: disc, foundation components.
Since the second day of having my car, my car has been continuously plagued with problems. I have taken my car in for repair over 10 times for various and sometimes repeating problems. This all has occurred within a three year period. I have never had a vehicle that has had so many problems. Some of the problems have…
Stability control
3 complaints · 7%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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Acura CL recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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 vehicle
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
Summary
See attached report.
Questions about the 2002 Acura CL
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura CL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (33 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); air bags (5 complaints); speed control (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Acura CL have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 17, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Acura CL?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about CL model year since 2000, with 44 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.