2003 Acura CL
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Acura CL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 19 on record.
2003 Acura CL at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Acura CL recalls 5
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part…
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgelin…
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible t…
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that ha…
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…
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A R…
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.
2003 Acura CL common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
What's a 2003 Acura CL worth?
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers. All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems. Dur…
NHTSA #EA15001 · Air Bags · opened Feb 2015Air Bag Inflator Rupture Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers. All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems. Dur…
NHTSA #PE14016 · Air Bags · opened Jun 2014 · closed Mar 2015AUTOMATIC 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 177
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 177.
Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
Bulletin B21-022 · Power Train · May 2021Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag infla…
Bulletin B20-008 · Air Bags · Mar 2020Dealer message - Today, Acura is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Acura vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood emissions labels. American Honda previously notified CARB and the EPA for th…
Bulletin BBOM08092018901 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2018Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are replacement service parts, and were not installed at the facto…
Bulletin B18034 · Equipment · Aug 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement driver's airbag infla…
Bulletin B18-017 · Air Bags, Equipment · May 2018Servicenews 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 2017Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Acura CL. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, pieces could be propelled toward the occupants. This could also cause damage to the airbag assembly and prevent it from inflating properly. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles…
Transport Canada #2019117 · Mar 2019Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airba…
Transport Canada #2015225 · May 2015Airbag
Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Honda will replace the driver's inflator on affected vehicles. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Note: This special service campaign was replaced by recall 2015225. P…
Transport Canada #2014567 · Dec 2014Powertrain
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.
2003 Acura CL trims & engines on record
2003 Acura CL vehicles on record
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42723A011213
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42613A011839
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42483A004675
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42513A005658
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA424X3A000143
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42693A003391
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA427X3A008916
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42683A007786
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA426X3A012682
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42683A005519
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42423A007426
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA41683A005392
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42493A012848
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42713A015723
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA424X3A014561
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42663A003381
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42443A003121
2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42413A007336
2003 Acura CL Type-S19UYA42613A003563