2002 Acura CL
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Acura CL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
2002 Acura CL at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2002 Acura CL recalls 2
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 …
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Cent…
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.
Fix: 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 EXPER…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2002 Acura CL common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT Closed
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
NHTSA #PE02081 · Power Train · opened Oct 2002 · closed Mar 2003An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 143
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 143.
Test
Bulletin - · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Feb 2024Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Bulletin B18010I · Electrical System, Equipment · Jan 2018Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Bulletin B18010I · Equipment, Electrical System · Jan 2018Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Bulletin BTS170801 · Equipment · Sep 2017Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
Bulletin BTS170801 · Electrical System · Aug 2017Service bulletin - You are required to install a remanufactured A/T (automatic transmission) and torque converter on any vehicle with an internal failure that calls for A/T disassembly that is covered under any of the programs listed.
Bulletin B90-009 · Power Train · Aug 2017SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION.
Bulletin B05-018 · Equipment · Nov 2016Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
Bulletin B98015 · Equipment · Mar 2016"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN UPDATES THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES FOR DTC P1456 (EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM LEAKAGE [FUEL TANK SYSTEM]) AND DTC P1457 (EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM LEAKAGE[EVAP CANISTER SYSTEM]). DEPENDING ON THE MODEL, THERE ARE TWO INDIVIDUAL PROCEDUR…
Bulletin B99-040 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel System, Other · Dec 2015Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
Bulletin DLR MSG - Acura · Air Bags · Aug 2014Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2002 Acura CL. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. In some cases, this could cause an airbag not to fully inflate, while in others it could cause it to deploy with more force than normal. It could also cause the inflator to rupture. If the airbag inflator ruptures, small pieces of metal could be pro…
Transport Canada #2020015 · Jan 2020Powertrain
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, in very rare cases, gear breakage can occur. Gear failure could result in transmission lock-up. Correction: On vehicles with 24 000 kms or less, the dealer will update the transmission wit…
Transport Canada #2004143 · Apr 2004Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Acura CL
The Acura CL is a midsize four passenger coupe manufactured and marketed by Honda's Acura brand across two generations from 1997–2003 model years.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
