CarComplaints.com Notes: The automatic transmission on the 2nd generation CL (2001-2003) is a downshifting mess. According to reports it slips, flares, and eventually fails --- sometimes around 40,000 miles.
The troubled transmission got an extended warranty for some CL owners that was later extended even further thanks to a class-action lawsuit in the United States. But even with the extended warranty, the transmission in this car is well known for overheating and locking up suddenly and without warning.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,494 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.
It appears from talking to many different Acura owners, Acura has had a major problem with their transmissions. The 5 speed in the 2001-2002 TL/Cl series. I was lucky enough to be on residential streets when my transmission failed. Thus driving slowly. I hate to think what could have resulted if I was on the freeway traveling high speeds. I believe Acura needs to address this issue. Thank you
I was driving at 65 mph on I-476 (pa), when I slowed slightly to check exit sign. Upon deciding to proceed to next exit, accelerated midly fom 60 to 65. Transmission slammed into, what felt like, 1st gear causing vehicle to pitch forward. This was so sudden, that it threw my hands off the steering wheel and caused me to almost loose control of vehicle. Had someone been behind me, the road been wet, or had I been on a curve, I would not have been able to regain control. Transmission showed signs of poor shifting before this incident, so I took the vehicle to Acura. They failed to fix the problem. I was very lucky, this condition could have caused a major accident.
Transmission started slipping and got progressively worse for several weeks. The day before it failed, I was driving along at a steady speed of about 45 mph when the transmission decided it wanted to be in first gear. The car jerked violently and slowed down very quickly while pulling me to the left (nearly losing control with the front wheels locked) until it shifted back out of first gear. It felt as if I had slammed on the brakes and if someone was behind me, I would have been rear ended. This happened again shortly after but not as violently. When the transmission finally failed, it would take several seconds to shift gears and would rev up high (as if in neutral) while between shifts. When it did shift it shifted hard. Then, as pulling away from a stop light, several of the lights on the dash lit up including the check engine, vsa, and D5 lights and was stuck in second gear. Also, the car would not shift into reverse. I understand from the dealer that this is not an uncommon problem and most people report symptoms similar to mine. I find this scary because I could have been killed had I been in different circumstances when the transmission shifted into first and caused me to slow down and swerve all over the road until I got it under control. The dealer claims that they think they know what the problem is and have fixed it but I've heard from people that are on their third transmission and are again having problems.
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
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Transmission started slipping and got progressively worse for several weeks. The day before it failed, I was driving along at a steady speed of about 45 mph when the transmission decided it wanted to be in first gear. The car jerked violently and slowed down very quickly while pulling me to the left (nearly losing control with the front wheels locked) until it shifted back out of first gear. It felt as if I had slammed on the brakes and if someone was behind me, I would have been rear ended. This happened again shortly after but not as violently. When the transmission finally failed, it would take several seconds to shift gears and would rev up high (as if in neutral) while between shifts. When it did shift it shifted hard. Then, as pulling away from a stop light, several of the lights on the dash lit up including the check engine, vsa, and D5 lights and was stuck in second gear. Also, the car would not shift into reverse. I understand from the dealer that this is not an uncommon problem and most people report symptoms similar to mine. I find this scary because I could have been killed had I been in different circumstances when the transmission shifted into first and caused me to slow down and swerve all over the road until I got it under control. The dealer claims that they think they know what the problem is and have fixed it but I've heard from people that are on their third transmission and are again having problems.
While driving dashboard lights came on and vehicle was stuck in one gear.transmission went out. Had transmission replaced, but problem happened again within 4000 miles. They replaced wiring transimission, and it went again.
This vehicle is equipped with 3.2 litre engine. While traveling 55 mph transmission went into neutral after changing into 3rd gear. Driver had to coast to side of the road due to loss of power. *akjlg
Replaced first transmission at 13596 miles, second transmission at 25223 miles, third transmission at 27648 miles, while the first two transmissions failed on local streets, the third did not. When the third transmission failed I was traveling on a major hwy and was almost rear ended by a large SUV. I was trying to motor up to the next exit when I was losing speed fast. Thats when a large SUV was skidding behind me and trying to switch lanes to avoid an accident. This SUV almost sideswiped the vehicle along side as well. This all happened in moderate traffic conditions.
While driving vehicle will decrease in speed while applying gas. Contacted dealer. Transmission was slipping, had part replaced, but problem reoccurred. 8jb
Acura customer care (800-382-2238) has been contacted about the transmission failure and acknowledge on the phone that there is a problem/flaw with the transmission on some Acura but will not explain what the flaw is and how they are resolving it. My car is under warranty till it reaches 50K miles or 4 years and having no information about the issue I don't want to have a similar problem in couple of month, not knowing if what has been done will stop the problem from re-occuring again. It seems there is no technical bulletin nor recall published on this issue as of today. I found documentation on other owner still having similar problems with their transmission after it got replaced 2 or 3 times at a low mileage (check www.Acura-Cl.com). I would like an investigation launched on this issue about the hazard it creates and force Acura to issue a public statement about the transmission flaw. The dealership replacing the transmission (oakland Acura in oakland, ca) told me they had to replace transmission at such low mileage on other Acura and were not surprised about the failure. They told me Acura has a "fix" but will not give me details on what the fix is and the root cause of the problem. I am afraid Acura will just change the defective part with the same new part which will go bad again in couple of weeks or months.
While driving at 25-30 mph transmission will go out, causing consumer to lose control vehicle. Consumer has had transmission replaced five times. Contacted dealer.
While in traffic vehicle came to an abrupt stop without warning. First time this happened, transmission locked up. Had transmission repaired. Second time this happened transmission slipped out of gear. Having transmission replaced again. Dealer can't identify why transmission keep becoming inoperative without warning.
Transmission completely disengages at about 2500 to 3000 rpms and the engine shoots up to redline. Acura is well aware that they have a problem with these transmissions, and needs to take corrective action on fixing all of them out there. This poses an extreme safety concern.
Transmission was not engaging. Rpms went high and low without pushing brakes. Engine check light was on and vsa light was on constantly. Dealer has been contacted. Felt it was a transmission problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Granada Hills, CA, USA