VehicleVerdict

2002 Acura CL transmission problems

The 2002 Acura CL has 33 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 46% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

33

Transmission complaints

46%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

CL transmission complaints by model year213 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 10 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 7 complaints2001: 213 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 37 complaints
CL transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

What owners report

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY ACURA CL-S LOCKED UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. IT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FAILED APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES LATER. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD, WHICH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 20, 2002

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2002 Acura CL have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 2002 Acura CL transmission — 46% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Acura CL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V176000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.