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Acura Cl Problems

The Acura CL was a personal luxury coupe sold from 1997 to 2003, essentially a two-door version of the TL sedan. With 1,460 complaints and 14 deaths recorded, the CL offered style and comfort but suffered from transmission problems that plagued Honda's automatic transmissions during this era. The Type S variant provided genuine performance, though it shared the transmission concerns. The CL was discontinued as coupe sales declined industry-wide.

1,460
Total Complaints
8
Total Recalls
8
Model Years
14
Reported Deaths
!

Years to Avoid

These years have significantly more complaints than average.

2001
✓

Best Years

These years have the fewest reported problems.

2000 2004

Common Problem Categories

Power Train 666
Air Bags 154
Electrical System 124
Engine And Engine Cooling 56
Suspension 54

Complaints by Model Year

All Model Years

Year ↓ Complaints Recalls Crashes Fires Rating
2004 4 0 0 0 Good
2003 178 3 10 0 Average
2002 142 1 6 0 Average
2001 632 2 46 4 Avoid
2000 22 0 2 0 Good
1999 132 1 20 0 Average
1998 138 1 4 4 Average
1997 212 0 10 0 Average

Acura Cl Years to Avoid

The 2001 CL accumulated the most complaints, primarily centered on automatic transmission failures. The 5-speed automatic was prone to hard shifts, slipping, and complete failure between 60,000-120,000 miles. The 2002-2003 models continued these issues despite attempts at improvement. Transmission replacement costs $3,000-4,500.

Best Acura Cl Years

The 2004 CL does not exist as the model was discontinued in 2003. For used CL buyers, the 1997-1999 first-generation models used a more reliable 4-speed automatic. Manual transmission Type S models from 2001-2003 avoid the automatic transmission problems entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the transmission failures?

Honda's 5-speed automatic used in 1999-2003 CL models had inadequate cooling and weak internal components. The transmission overheated during normal driving, leading to premature wear and failure. Honda extended warranties but never fully resolved the issue.

Is the CL Type S reliable?

The Type S with the 6-speed manual transmission avoids automatic transmission problems and is reasonably reliable. The 3.2L V6 engine is durable. Automatic Type S models share the transmission concerns of standard CL models.

How much does transmission repair cost?

Rebuilt transmissions cost $2,500-3,500 plus $800-1,000 labor. Used transmissions are risky as they may have the same problems. Some specialists can repair specific components for less if caught early.

Is the CL worth buying today?

Only with a manual transmission or a thoroughly documented transmission service history. The cars offer good value when running properly, but automatic transmission risk makes them difficult to recommend.

What replaced the CL?

The CL was not directly replaced. Acura focused on sedans and introduced the TSX and later the ILX. Honda no longer sells coupes in most markets as consumer preferences shifted to SUVs.