Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
There is a major issue with the relay under the steering wheel blocking the fuel from the pump going to the engine. This also affects the security system as well as the rack and pinion. The vehicle security turns itself on and off as it pleases, often leaving driver/passengers stranded and sometimes with the alarm not shutting off. This is after having keys re-programmed and most parts replaced for a hefty price tag. Due to this, the vehicle will only start at times. I've seen several similar complaints and taken it to many costly mechanics. I paid $7,000 for this vehicle a couple of years ago but only got to drive it a few times because there is always an issue that can't be fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura CL. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently shut off without warning. The contact had to add starter fluid to the vehicle in order to get it to drive. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 278,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Acura CL. When the vehicle was started, the "SRS" warning indicator illuminated and remained lit all day. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but an appointment was scheduled with goodson Acura of dallas (4801 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75219) for September 11, 2019. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Since the second day of having my car, my car has been continuously plagued with problems. I have taken my car in for repair over 10 times for various and sometimes repeating problems. This all has occurred within a three year period. I have never had a vehicle that has had so many problems. Some of the problems have been so severe that I no longer feel safe driving my car. One of these problems was my transmission spontaneously downshifting from 5th gear to 2nd gear at highway speeds. This caused a tremendous decrease of speed. Had someone been in back of me, I would have been seriously injured. The transmission was replaced, but it continues to act spontaneously. After making complaints directly to Acura of America, I feel snubbed by them in that they have not sought to assist me other than warranty repairs.
The contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. On another occasion, while making a left turn on a city street, the vehicle stalled and experienced a loss of power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was shifted to neutral(N) and restarted. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an ignition cylinder failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
My SRS light is on, and always on, driving, in park, etc. However, my car has not been recalled. I read that if the SRS light is on the system will not work, however the seat belt restraint in both front seats and side air bag indicator both work. Dealer should examine, determine problem and fix at no cost. My navi dvr system also works only intermittently. I have the most recent disc. Mostly it is a bunch of lines across the screen, black and white, sometime blue and white. I would say one in 20 starts the navi system works.
I was driving to work approximately a half mile from my house ..my car just turned off, although the ignition key was still in ..it was med-heavy traffic. I don't believe I even had lights but I can't say for sure at first I thought maybe I had gotten bad gas ..then it happened again as I was turning a corner.staring became difficult and both times I had to put my car into neutral to restart it ..from there it happened maybe 1 every week to once every 3 weeks maybe .I checked my plugs wires had my fuel filter replaced stopped going where I was gettn gas ..one day I was on the computer at work (oreillys autoparts ) and noticed my car had been involved in a recall at some point , but what they described was exactly what my car was doing .randomly turning off ..I was told by Acura becauz my car was "fixed" during the first recall I needed to replace my ignition switch at my own cost ..I've …
I was driving to work approximately a half mile from my house ..my car just turned off, although the ignition key was still in ..it was med-heavy traffic.I don't believe I even had lights but I can't say for sure at first I thought maybe I had gotten bad gas ..then it happened again as I was turning a corner.staring became difficult and both times I had to put my car into neutral to restart it ..from there it happened maybe 1 every week to once every 3 weeks maybe .I checked my plugs wires had my fuel filter replaced stopped going where I was gettn gas ..one day I was on the computer at work (oreillys autoparts ) and noticed my car had been involved in a recall at some point , but what they described was exactly what my car was doing .randomly turning off ..I was told by Acura becauz my car was "fixed" during the first recall I needed to replace my ignition switch at my own cost ..I've …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans, the ignition switch May wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Remedy: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura CL years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (18), 1997 (15), 1999 (11) and 2001 (9) model years. Electrical complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Acura CL electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-423 (switch, Oct 27, 2003); 02V-120 (switch, May 16, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura CL electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles; 8% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › switch (14 mentions), followed by the ignition (4).
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.