1997-2002 Acura CL Problems: 4 Known Issues
1997-2002 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997-2002 Acura CL has 4 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are 3.0CL automatic transmission slips and fails — flush is forbidden, filter is not serviceable ($2,500-$3,500 repair), NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL, NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000) and Ignition cylinder wear → shift interlock fails → rollaway risk (NHTSA recall 03V423000, 2003) ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $2,500 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 4 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls7 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Acura CL problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997-2002 Acura CL has 4 documented issues. Documented issues include: 3.0CL automatic transmission slips and fails — flush is forbidden, filter is not serviceable, NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL, NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Acura CL reliable?
The 1997-2002 Acura CL has 4 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: 3.0CL automatic transmission slips and fails — flush is forbidden, filter is not serviceable and NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL and NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000) and Ignition cylinder wear → shift interlock fails → rollaway risk (NHTSA recall 03V423000, 2003). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Acura CL problems?
Repair costs for known Acura CL issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 3.0CL automatic transmission slips and fails — flush is forbidden, filter is not serviceable, typically costs $2,500-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Acura CL is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Acura CL. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1997-2002 Acura CL with 4 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
What is the 1997-1999 Acura CL 3.0CL automatic transmission slips and fails — flush is forbidden, filter is not serviceable?
The 1997-1999 3.0CL uses an automatic transmission specific to its V6 model family (the 2.2CL/2.3CL 4-cylinder variants do NOT share this transmission and are not affected). Owners and independent transmission shops widely report failures: slipping under load, not shifting out of… Repairs typically run $2,500-$3,500. Severity: high.
What is the 1998-1999, 2001 Acura CL NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL?
American Honda recalled the Acura CL coupe under NHTSA campaign 20V026000. The affected CLs are the 1998 2.2CL, the 1998-1999 2.3CL and 3.0CL, and the 2001 3.2CL. These cars left the factory with Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflators (NADI) — a design that does not use the phase stab… Severity: high.
What is the 2001-2002 Acura CL NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000)?
Some 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL coupes had their driver frontal air bag module replaced at some point during a previous vehicle repair. According to NHTSA recall 20V027000, a manufacturing issue with those replacement NADI inflators lets the inflator absorb moisture over time. A moist… Severity: high.
What is the 1998-1999 Acura CL Ignition cylinder wear → shift interlock fails → rollaway risk (NHTSA recall 03V423000, 2003)?
NHTSA Campaign ID 03V423000 (October 2003) covers 1998-1999 Acura CL models. The defect: the ignition cylinder body wears, which causes the shift interlock to malfunction. A worn cylinder can let the key be turned to OFF and removed without the transmission being shifted to Park;… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.