VehicleFactbook

Model year

2002 Acura CL

NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 44 complaints for the 2002 Acura CL (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (28), AIR BAGS (5), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 21 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

20V027000 · Jan 17, 2020

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…

04V176000 · Apr 15, 2004

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.

Complaints

44 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION28
  2. AIR BAGS5
  3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
  4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
  5. POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
  6. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
  7. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
  8. POWER TRAIN2
  9. SEAT BELTS2
  10. SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC2

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (1). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
PE02081AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONOct 28, 2002Mar 5, 2003

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
3.2CL · 3.2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline172721——$3,900

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Acura CL at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Acura CL model years

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