Acura CL Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Acura CL? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Acura CL — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Caution | 3 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2002 | Good | 1 | 28 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2001Worst | Avoid | 1 | 140 | 9 | 6 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2000Best | Excellent | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1999 | Good | 2 | 23 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 1998 | Caution | 3 | 40 | 2 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 1997 | Good | 1 | 45 | 1 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
7 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Acura CL Problems
Based on 326 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
CL Years to Avoid
Best CL Years to Buy
Years with fewest complaints and recalls.
Acura CL Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Acura CL Reliability
What year CL has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2001 Acura CL had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 140 complaints and 1 safety recalls. See the full 2001 report for specific defects.
Is the Acura CL reliable?
The Acura CL has accumulated 326 owner-filed complaints and 11 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 1 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2000 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used CL.
What are the most common CL problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Power Train (155 reports), Air Bags (32 reports), Electrical System (30 reports), Suspension (16 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my CL has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Acura CL VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Acura CL VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily