Acura CL Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 325 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Acura CL across 7 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (206). The words owners use most often: “automatic transmission” (13% of reports).
- 325power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $6,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 52%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 42 of 325 complaints (13%)
- 2ND gear: mentioned in 22 of 325 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Acura CL at $6,400, and half of them between $4,650 and $7,550.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 206 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 325 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury.
Acura CL power train complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: 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.
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 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (honda accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; acura 2.3cl manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."
Risk: This condition can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Fix: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I operated the vehicle. There is a grinding sound whenever the transmission is placed in third gear. I brought the car to Acura by Executive in Wallingford, CT at some point in 2021 to enquire about…
In and around July 2024 my Acura cl started to have erratic shifting and locking up at highways speeds the vehicle is so unsafe to drive I cannot get the air bags fixed it shifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear in 2004 a remedy was applied to the transmission to aid and fix the downshifting issues and…
Frank let us Acura would not preform my transmission recall after it locked up âstating the recall has already been doneâ but they âdonât have any record of itâ they claim someone didnât file the paper work on it but my trans locked up going 70 miles and hour and threw me off of the road
The passenger side airbag in my 2001!acura cl was recalled and the company never contacted me about it! I bought the car on 5/28/20 with no title but i do have a bill of sale on a notebook piece of paper but anyways i saw where there was recalls for some parts on my vehicle and was researching up…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura cl. While driving 45 mph, the contact heard an abnormal grinding noise coming from the vehicle. Also, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle shut off. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off and on, and it resumed normal operation. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Acura CLs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 325 owner complaints about power train for the Acura CL. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Acura CL power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Acura CL?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,400 (half paid between $4,650 and $7,550), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Acura CL?
The most frequent phrase is “automatic transmission”, in 42 of 325 complaints, followed by “2nd gear” (22).
See all Acura CL problems.