2003 ACURA CL Complaints

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 the issue. I was informed by the service advisor that the problem is a known issue but because there is no recall on the issue and the vehicle is out of warranty Acura is not required to resolve it. Recently I came across service bulletin 08-018 and noticed where it stated that after warranty expiration a repair may be eligible for goodwill consideration. I called Acura Customer Service, was given case #15843108, and told to acquire a formal diagnosis from an Acura dealership. The diagnosis from Acura of Berlin in Berlin, CT verified that the symptoms were the result of the faulty transmission as described in the TSB. I submitted this information to Acura Customer Service and was informed on September 29, 2025, that due to the age of the vehicle Acura will not compensate me fully or partially for the repair. In my view, although this is an older vehicle, it has low mileage at 102.000 miles and is therefore expected to be on the road for many years. The transmission only grinds at this point, but it may start to pop out of third gear in the future as described in the TSB. I consider this a safety issue in that the transmission popping out of gear unexpectedly would result in some loss of control of the vehicle. I don't expect Acura to fully compensate me for this repair but in light of this problem being a known and documented issue with this vehicle and all the parts for repair are still available I would expect that Acura would stand by its product and offer to contribute to the total cost of this repair.

There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes with the alarm not shutting off. This is after having keys re-programmed and most parts replaced for a hefty price tag. Due to this, the vehicle will only start at times. I've seen several similar complaints and taken it to many costly mechanics. I paid $7,000 for this vehicle a couple of years ago but only got to drive it a few times because there is always an issue that can't be fixed.

My 2003 3.2cls Acura had an airbag recall in in 2016. My vehicle was supposedly repaired at this time. However, recently my SRS light has been on requiring me to take my car to an Acura dealer. The dealer believes my steering wheel air bag has a faulty air inflator, which they claim is out of warranty and may require me to pay $3000 to repair. I do not understand how the manufacturer of the airbag/inflator can avoid repairing this. Shouldn't an airbag last longer than 8 years? What if everyone had to replace their airbags every eight years?

I have an SRS light illuminated on my dashboard. Upon researching this, it is apparently a sensor issue which, when the light is on, indicates that the sensor in the seat - belt is malfunctioning, and this will keep the air bags from deploying. This of course is a serious safety issue. Also, in reviewing the warranty information, it states that all seat-belt issues are under a lifetime warranty. I'm wondering if you could provide confirmation of this. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Randal Steadman

Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering components together and if the passenger side frame from the manufacter defect were to break traveling at highway speed, the car would loose control and cause accidents. The vehicle was inspected at an independent facility and is ready to be inspected again upon request.

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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE DRIVESHAFT THREE AND FOUR GEAR CABLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 10011555. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,054.

I AM UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CAR STILL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS LIKE NORMAL, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ACTUATOR IS AT FAULT. THE CONTROL ARMS FOR BOTH HANDLES ARE INTACT & SEEM TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. I AM ASSUMING THAT EITHER THE LATCH MECHANISM IS STUCK, JAMMED, OR OTHERWISE DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND THE DOOR ITSELF ISN'T DAMAGED/IMPACTED. I LIVE IN ATLANTA, GA, SO THE LATCH ISN'T FROZEN. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN OLDER MODEL (2003), HOWEVER IN THE PAST I HAVE CLEANED & LUBRICATED THE LATCH/LOCK MECHANISM. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED, AND IN THIS MODEL, IT ISN'T POSSIBLE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT DAMAGE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE UNABLE TO OPEN 1 OF 2 DOORS, ESPECIALLY BEING THAT IT'S THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO FIND ANYONE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THIS SITUATION, AND HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ANY SOLUTION ONLINE.

ACURA SAYS THEY GUARANTEE ALL PARTS OF THE SAFETY BELT FOR THE USE OF A LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAR HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE INTERMITTENT BUCKLING ISSUES AND SRS AIRBAG SWITCH IS BAD INSIDE A SEALED SAFETY BELT. COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED IF IT WASN'T A SEALED UNIT. THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT'S A CANADIAN CAR EVEN THOUGH IT'S SPENT 100% OF ITS OWNED LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY WANT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY, OVER $400 TO FIX IT. I FEEL MY SAFETY IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THIS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT AND I CAN'T EVEN DO IT MYSELF BECAUSE MY ELECTRIC SEATS WON'T WORK IF I TRY, ONLY FACTORY SOFTWARE CAN RESET THEM SO THEY WORK. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE I HAVE A CANADIAN MADE CAR. I KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS ALL THE SAME PRODUCTION REGULATIONS FOR SAFETY TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES WHETHER THEY'RE MADE IN CANADA OR HERE. WHAT I'M REALLY HOPING FOR IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TRY TO PUT A STOP TO THIS CORPORATE GREED OF ENGINEERING PRODUCTS POORLY AND NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH A FIX AND TRYING TO PROFIT OFF OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS FIX IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE IT AT A FAIR PRICE. THE SAFETY BELT PROBABLY COST THEM NO MORE THAN $20 BUT BY THE TIME EVERYONE MAKES THEIR PROFIT AND IT COMES TO ME AND THEN ADD THE LABOR TOGETHER WE'RE OVER $400 TO HAVE MY SAFETY BACK WHEN THEY SAY THAT THEY GUARANTEE THEIR SAFETY BELTS FOR LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, AND YOU CAN FIND THIS INFORMATION ONLINE. I WAS HOPING THAT THEY WOULD BE ISSUED A MAJOR FINE TO MAKE IT SO THEY DON'T TREAT OTHER CUSTOMERS THIS WAY AS WELL. I KNOW THERE ARE PROBABLY REASONS TO SEAL A SAFETY BELT SO THAT IT IS NOT TAMPERED WITH BUT THEY USED TO MAKE SPECIALTY TOOLS SO WE COULD BE ACCESSED EASILY FOR CLEANING AND CHANGING OF THESE INEXPENSIVE SWITCHES.

UPON REMOVING MY FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL TO CHECK MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE SUB-FRAME (WHICH HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE STEERING RACK AND SWAY BAR) HAD RUSTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWAY BAR TO COME COMPLETELY LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY LATE 1990S AND EARLY 2000 HONDA/ACURA MODELS (PRIMARILY HONDA ACCORDS, ACURA TL AND CL MODELS) HAD THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE POORLY DESIGNED AIR-CONDITIONING CONDENSER DRAIN THAT DRAINED RIGHT ON TOP OF THIS PART, CAUSING AN EXTREME RUST CONDITION. (THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE OF THIS PART STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW AND IS SOUND) IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THESE CARS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THIS PART REPLACED (A REPAIR OF THIS PART IS NOT POSSIBLE, IT MUST BE A FULL REPLACEMENT), I WILL RETAIN THE REMOVED PART FOR INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL SHOULD YOU DESIRE TO SEE IT. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION AS BEST I COULD. (I'M SORRY THE PHOTOS ARE NOT BETTER, IT'S A DIFFICULT AREA TO REACH WITH A CAMERA)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD STARTER FLUID TO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET IT TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 278,000.