Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Acura CL
Acura CL Models:
Acura CL Problems
Automatic Transmission Issues
The automatic transmission tends to malfunction more often than in similar models. The Check Engine Light may or may not illuminate.
Automatic Transmission May Fail
The automatic transmission tends to fail more often than in similar models.
"No start" Due to Ignition Switch Failure
The car will sometimes not start because of a problem with the ignition switch. Some models may have been recalled by Acura for this issue, please check with your dealer to be sure.
Fuel pump relay failure
The fuel pump electrical relay sometimes stops working.
Cooling fan switch may stick in the "On" position
The switch that controls the cooling fan gets stuck in the "On" position
causing the fan to run continuously, which drains the battery.
Acura CL Recalls (Recent)
Honda and Acura Recall Multiple Vehicles Due to Excessive Air Bag Inflator Pressure
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Honda has recalled 2001-2003 Civic, 2002-2003 Civic SI, 2001-2002 Accord, 2002 CR-V, 2002 Odyssey, 2003 Pilot, 2002-2003 Acura TL, and 2003 Acura CL vehicles because the driver's side air bag inflator may produce excessive internal pressure. This could cause the inflator to rupture if the air bag deploys. Metal fragments may pass through the air bag material and cause injury to vehicle occupants. Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflator.
Learn more »Replacement Airbag Inflator Could Be Defective
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Honda is recalling 2,430 vehicles because a driver's airbag inflator, installed as a replacement part, may be defective. In the event of deployment, these inflators could produce excess internal pressure and rupture, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's airbag inflator as necessary. The recall is expected to begin by June 27, 2011.
Learn more »Honda and Acura Recall Various 2001–2004 Vehicles Due to an Internal Transmission Fault
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Honda and Acura are recalling numerous 2001–2004 vehicles to inspect for an internal automatic transmission fault. This fault could result in gear failure, which can cause the transmission to lock up. If the transmission were to lock up with the vehicle in motion, a crash could result. If the inspection reveals internal transmission damage, the transmission will be replaced. If no internal damaged is noted, the transmission oil cooler return line will be revised in order to increase fluid flow. For more information, please call Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Learn more »Honda Recalls 1998-1999 Vehicles Due to Ignition Cylinder Wear and Shift Interlock Issue
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Honda has recalled 1998-1999 Accord and Acura CL, and 1999 Odyssey and Acura TL vehicles because the ignition cylinder body may be worn, which can cause the shift interlock not to function properly. If the vehicle does not securely lock in "Park" due to a worn ignition cylinder, the vehicle may roll, which can cause a safety issue. Dealers will inspect the cylinder body for wear and replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate if necessary. If there are no signs of wear and all is operating as designed, dealers will replace the latch plate.
Learn more »Honda Recalls 2002-2003 Models Due to Misaligned Timing Belt Tensioner Pulley
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Honda has recalled 2002 Accord, Odyssey, Acura CL, MDX, and 2003 Honda Pilot, Acura CL, and TL vehicles because the timing belt tensioner pulley, which is mounted on the water pump, may be misaligned and at risk for failure. Dealers will inspect the tensioner pulley and water pump and will replace the pump and timing belt if necessary.
Learn more »Acura CL Questions and Answers
Turns over, won't start. Changed coil, main relay, checked fuel pump. Has 12 volts from distributor to blk/ylw wire???????23455
How hard is it to replace the mounts, and should all the mounts be done at the same time.
Hello,
We bought this car used & don't have a manual; my husband replaced the battery and now the radio/ cd player won't work. Any help is greatly appreciated.
My car has 92k miles on it. Should I replace timing belt? No problems yet.
When the car is locked by remote or by key, the electric lock motor keeps cycling about every 8 to 12 seconds and wears down the battery. If I remove the electric lock fuse, the car will not start ...
Acura CL Stories
We have had this car 4 years. Its been reliable until now. The trans shifts hard unless you baby the trottle on take off. .The check engine lite keeps coming on with an egr code. and i just replaced the plastic radiator what junk.
I have the 1999 cl 3.0 6 cyl. automatic trans. with 162,000 miles as of summer 2011. The only problems I have had as have many of owners of the same make has been alternator, motor mounts, (expensive) Driver's door window motor, and the egr/ emissions/ engine light problem that required a $450 special cleaning and enlarging of an exhaust port Blah blah blah..... I love this car and will try to keep it on the road but this last year has been expensive in maint. No trany problems like lots of people claim. Guess I am lucky there!
Bought this Acura when it was 8 years old with only 80k miles. Previous owner did the whole "fix whatever it needs" thing with the local mechanic, meaning nothing specific ever got done except for oil changes and occassional fluid flushes. Engine ran like a top, but the transmission felt like it was made by Fisher-Price. It already was fishing for gears and shifted really hard going from 2nd to 3rd. It also shifted hard just putting it into drive or reverse from the park setting.
The enging was a 3 liter V6, 205 hp torque machine. It had lots of power to spare. This is probably what killed the transmission
The interior was full leather and wood grain. It was in amazing shape when I got it. Heated seats, lumbar support, climate control, keyless entry...all amazing.
Just got married and "inherited" a 2003 Accord DX. Auto trans is starting to fish for gears too and shifts really hard when on an incline.
I've owned 6 hondas and acuras: '83 Accord (AT), '94 Accord LX (5spd), '93 Civic Si (I miss this one...5spd), '95 Accord LX Wagon (5spd), '99 Acura CL 3.0 (AT), and 2003 Accord DX (AT). All the AT's have had the same issues...not a single one with the manuals. My in-laws' two '08 civics are also having the same tranny issues.
In all of my hondas (except for the '03), I've had to dump them because so many things go breaking on them. Blown head gaskets, distributors, alternators, master cylinders...stuff that makes a big difference.
If you're going to get a honda, stick with a manual tranny. All of mine lasted upwards to 200k miles. The AT's haven't made it 100k without something that makes me worried.
I bought my first toyota...a '95 Camry with 130k on it, AT, off my wife's family. Runs like a freakin' top and no problems at all, I've had it for a year. The only things I've needed was an A/C recharge and new tires and brakes. It's getting a full tune-up as I type this and should be running for another 150k now that it's under my care. My bro's '98 corolla is at 215k and no issues at all like I had with my hondas. Buy Toyota!
Bought my 3.0CL new in 1999 and it still looks new, with 73000 miles. Had regular maintenance done, including timing belt, alternator and brakes at 60,000. At last oil change (71,000) was told motor mounts needed replacement. I was skeptical, since I had never had mounts replaced on any car, and neither had my brother, a real gearhead, but he said it was possible for a FWD 6-cylinder because of the torque. I had the work done but was stung by the cost--$740--$455 for parts, $285 for labor. I bit the bullet but wasn't happy, especially after reading some online comments-- but this was at the local Honda dealer. Anyway, still love the car and don't think I'll sell it anytime soon.
The best two door I've ever owned. I have the 6 speed so no transmission issues here like some have had. Quiet, smooth as silk and has never left me stranded.