NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1997 CL suffered from repeated failures of the driver side power window. Acura replaced the power window motor under their standard warranty and is some cases even offered warranty extensions, perhaps side-stepping a recall.

4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,527 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Acura CL transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Acura CL Owner Comments

problem #13

Jun 012011

CL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Acura Cl. Consumer states transmission locked up while driving interstate speed. The consumer stated the vehicle came to an abrupt and violent stop, without any forward or reverse.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #12

Sep 182009

CL

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Acura 3.0cl. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road when the check engine light came on. The dealer advised the contact that it would cost $3000 to repair the transmission. There are no related recalls or warranties available. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Dallas , TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 192005

CL

  • 103,000 miles
Purchased vehicle @ 103,000 miles, drove it 2000 miles and check engine light came one, "D" started to flash and vehicle would not come out of 2nd gear. After proper diagnosis, found internal transmission failure(after research found out it was a common problem) replace transmission with oem unit, still (and have had since day one, a hesitation upon acceleration)prior to transmission problem had throttle body cleaned, still had hesitation with or without ac on-prior owner had same problem, unable to correct problem to this day.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 292006

CL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,354 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stalled on freeway - full electrical shutdown - gauges dropped. Put car into neutral, restarted ignition, slight grind at starter, and car started. Pulled over when safe & when put car in reverse, heard whining/grinding noise and it wouldn't engage. Drive worked fine so drove to dealer. Dealer found ignition to be defective and covered under recall - it caused the stall. Dealer said transmission needed replacement for $4800 - won;T cover it and say the transmission failure and stall have noting to do with each other. The stall was very unsafe and shifting into neutral was best safest manuever (agreed to by dealer and Acura usa), but they argue no causality. Seeking remedy through bureau of auto repair, lawsuit if necessary.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 172005

CL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,500 miles
My transmission on my Acura 3.0 failed after only 68,000 miles. The dealer and Acura headquarters refuse to handle the issue.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #8

Oct 232001

CL 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
The vehicle jumps out of gear, and sometimes sticks. Transmission is defective. Dealer stated that he could not find the problem.

- Westwood, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 092003

CL 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About a Acura Cl 1997, seems like the company knew about the trnsmission problems this vehicle has had and never recalled it. The 2.2 automatic transmission are very poorley built.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

Jun 292002

CL

  • miles
Mr. Robert gibbons of Acura of usa provided the parts, but I had to pay $680 for the labor and $318.84 for a car rental with a total of $998.84. Which he declined to reimburse me for, stating that the parts were offered as a goodwill gesture, and thus he made me a partner in a failing Acura. However, the United States federal law regards this goodwill gesture as a hidden warranty and obligates the manufacturer to take responsibility of the full amount.

- Sunny Isles Beach, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 142000

CL

  • miles
8/14/00 - transmission failure - Acura replaced transmission at Acura pasadena (good will gesture from Acura provided re-built transmission), and I payed for the labor - over $1,000. On 10/21/02 another transmission failure this time at 68 mph, on the freeway in rush hour traffic, 210 fwy, East bound between lowell ave & la tuna canyon road. Car was towed to Acura pasadena, where on 10/22 I was informed by the service department that the transmission had failed and that the cost would be $4,600 out of my pocket. A warranty issued on the rebuilt transmission was for 36 months/36,000 miles. Transmission failed at 38,387 miles.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 202002

CL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
During a cold start, the automatic transmission fails to shift gears properly untill the engine is warm. Everyday since I have had the car, this has happened. The car is not under warrenty so replacing the transmission would cost me a few thousand dollars, which I am not prepared to spend.

- Colesville, MD, USA

problem #3

Aug 142000

(reported on)

CL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When vehicle is placed in reverse on the selected gear shift position vehicle continues to move forward. Also, there is a delay in responds when shifting. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer stated transmission needed replacing.

- New Carrollton, MD, USA

problem #2

Jul 011997

CL

  • miles
Automatic transmission locked in 4th gear and would not downshift.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jun 011997

CL

  • miles
While traveling on highway, the automatic transmission became locked in fourth gear, check engine light came on, and the D4 indicator on dash began to blink. Dealer says cause was rusted internal valves in the transmission.

- Edison, NJ, USA

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