Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Acura CL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I operated the vehicle. There is a grinding sound whenever the transmission is placed in third gear. I brought the car to Acura by Executive in Wallingford, CT at some point in 2021 to enquire about the issue. I was informed by the service advisor that the problem is a known issue but because there is no recall on the issue and the vehicle is out of warranty Acura is not required to resolve it. Recently I came across service bulletin 08-018 and noticed where it stated that after warranty expiration a repair may be eligible for goodwill consideration. I called Acura Customer Service, was given case #15843108, and told to acquire a formal diagnosis from an Acura dealership. …
My 2003 Acura CL-type s manual 6 speed is also having similar problems as the other owners with change in pedal pressure and difficulty shifting in cold weather, sometimes with gears grinding and it is unavoidable unless you put the vehicle in neutral and come to a complete stop and start from 1st gear again,reverse is also a issue, sometimes it wont go in at all, I have been to the Acura dealerships to purchase the new tranny sensors which are not cheap but the problem still persists. I was driving on the freeway conditions were normal, nothing unusual and my transmission totally locked on 3rd gear, luckily I or anybody else was hurt. My front drivers side fender was damaged because I had to maneuver vehicle out of freeway traffic to avoid a major collision. Also front bumper needs some repair and repainting.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura CL. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal grinding noise coming from the vehicle. Also, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle shut off. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off and on, and it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the sensor for the driveshaft three and four gear cable failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer provided case number: 10011555. The failure mileage was approximately 1,054.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and crashed. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Check engine light eliminated, vsa light comes on and d5 light flashes while driving after transmission warms up., car wont shift into 4th or 5th gear rpms wind up real high have to pull over turn off engine then restart to drive only short distance before it starts doing the same thing. The vehicle was driving on the freeway at approx. 65 MPH when car suddenly started downshifting on its own causing me to almost crashed when I was jerked to the side of the road.
I was riding on the highway when the engine went into high RPM's and the car was slowing down. The automatic transmission went out. I barely got to the side of the road without power. The car only has 77,248 miles on it. There was Acura service bulletin 02-027 feb 5, 2008, about tranmission problems. Very scarey!
I bought a used Acura and on the way home on the highway the car suddenly down shifted violently several times causing the car to skid sideways .I pulled over and the car would not shift out of 3rd gear.eventully I got it to reset and it drove fine for 35 minutes until once again it locked up doing 65mph.
Acura CL 3.2 2003 w/ 60K miles, maintained on a regular basis exceeding owners manual recommendations and driven conservatively by a professional female: car being driven on heavily trafficked road normally, and very abruptly/suddenly geared down to low gear from high gear. Violently jerked and shifted, causing the car to instantly go from around 50 MPH to only around 10-15 MPH. No warning lights or previous problems. If car had been being driven on the busy, high speed interstate leaving san francisco at 60+ surrounded by traffic (luckily had just exited the interstate and was on secondary road), it could easily have caused fatal accidents. Luckily, I was able to immediately access a shoulder to pull over. Drove car to Acura service on side road with flashers on - took nearly an hour to go 6 miles. …
2003 Acura 3.2cl type s - 75,000 miles - manual transmission (mt) is hard to shift into second and reverse gears. Also noticed that after holding the clutch pedal in while at a stop light, sitting in traffic, etc., the pressure changes while letting the pedal out and doesn't engage/catch while attempting to shift. Must push pedal down again and try to shift again. The first couple of times this happened, I shifted from first into second gear and the gear grinded and car jerked. The pedal pressure almost feel like a brake pedal does when compressed and there is air in the line. At other times, it feels like I'm pushing in my 1978 z-28 manual clutch pedal....heavy! Service dept is excellent at dealer location. Complaint being filed to ensure that a problem is noted with the mt if others are having the same issues; which could lead to a recall.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Acura 3.2cl. On September 17, 2008, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that a new transmission was needed. The contact wanted a second opinion and had the vehicle towed to another mechanic. A diagnostic was performed and the second mechanic confirmed that a new transmission was needed. The manufacturer stated that her vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission); however, they would not cover the cost of the repairs due to the mileage that was on the vehicle. The contact was also informed that repairs were made to the vehicle on September 27, 2004. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 124,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
Transmission complaints in other CL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Acura CL?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Acura CL, 49% of the model year's 73 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Acura CL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Acura CL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.