Skip to main content

2003 ACURA CL

5 recalls Risk Grade: B- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #04V176000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
What Happened
The automatic transmission in your vehicle has a part called the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears. In some cases, heat can build up between these gears, causing them to chip or break.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your transmission could lock up while you're driving, leading to a crash.
Free Fix
Your Honda dealer will inspect and fix the issue for free. If your vehicle has less than 15,000 miles, they'll update the oil cooler return line to prevent overheating. If your vehicle has more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission and replace it if necessary, or make the oil cooler update if it's still safe to do so.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
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 EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #02V226000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
What Happened
The water pump in your vehicle has a part called the timing belt tensioner pulley that keeps the timing belt in place. Unfortunately, it's not aligned correctly on some V6 engines, which could cause the timing belt to rub against the cylinder head.
Risk if Unfixed
If the timing belt breaks, your engine will suddenly shut off, making it hard to control your vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your authorized dealer will inspect the water pump, and if it's one of the faulty ones, they'll replace it and the timing belt for free. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible, and if you experience any issues, contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #19V499000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
What Happened
The driver's side air bag in your vehicle is designed to inflate in the event of a crash to protect you. However, in some models of your car, the air bag's propellant may break down over time, especially when exposed to high humidity and extreme temperatures.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator fails, it could explode, sending sharp metal fragments flying towards you and potentially causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Honda dealer will swap out the faulty air bag inflator with a new one, free of charge. This repair is essential to ensure your safety, and you should schedule it as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #19V182000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
What Happened
The driver's air bag in your vehicle is a critical safety feature that deploys in a crash to cushion your body. In some older models, the air bag inflator may explode if it's deployed in a crash, sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger area.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal shards into the driver's face and body, causing serious injury or even death. This is a life-threatening situation you should take seriously.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a safer, more reliable one at no cost to you. The repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
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 at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V320000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
What Happened
Your vehicle's driver airbag has a part called the inflator module, which helps make the airbag deploy in a crash. In some models from 2001 to 2008, this part could be faulty and rupture in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator ruptures in a frontal crash, metal fragments could strike you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is a very serious risk, and you should take immediate action to address it.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one, at no cost to you. Schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice, and make sure to let the dealer know if you've had any previous repairs to the airbag.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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 to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
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 have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
3 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 recall

Other ACURA CL Years

2002
2 recalls
2001
3 recalls

Related Pages

2002 ACURA CL Recalls 2004 ACURA CL Recalls All ACURA Recalls ACURA CL Recall History