Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Transmission problem: erratic shifting, hard downshifts, shifts from 5th gear into 2nd gear at high speed: close-to-death experience on the highway!! This has happened 3 months after the recall service was done concluding nothing wrong. From my research I have found that the recall - "band-aid fix" does not fix whats actually wrong with the transmission because it is a trick to make consumers think that the car is fine. The recall was put out but does not work!! This matter should be looked into properly and thuroughly again. I do not wish to injure or kill myself or others because my car is poorly designed. My car is out of warranty and will not be covered under recall since it was already provided. Furthermore, the symptoms of my problem are different than the recall symptoms. The Honda motor co. …
Acura is knowingly putting defective transmissions in these cars. When my first trans went out, I was doing 50 MPH on lake shore dr. And if I weren't wearing my seatbelt, I would've gone through the windshield. They admitted that they knew all these trans were bad and replaced the 1st one @ 103,000 miles and said they would "good will" these trans as long as im the original owner. My husband was a master tech. Mechanic at Acura for 10 yrs. And said they never came out with a good trans. For these cars. They just keep rebuilding them and replacing them when they go out! Now my replacement trans is going out @ 30,000 less miles than the 1st and they refuse to replace it without me paying for it! Pay for another bad transmission? …
In and around July 2024 my Acura cl started to have erratic shifting and locking up at highways speeds the vehicle is so unsafe to drive I cannot get the air bags fixed it shifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear in 2004 a remedy was applied to the transmission to aid and fix the downshifting issues and overheating issues the vehicle does have these problems and was not repaired correctly in 2004 by Acura I called Honda/acura and they are not willing to replace or fix the transmission
Frank let us Acura would not preform my transmission recall after it locked up "stating the recall has already been done" but they "don't have any record of it" they claim someone didn't file the paper work on it but my trans locked up going 70 miles and hour and threw me off of the road
In October 2007, I began to have problems with my 2000 Acura 3.2tl. The car jerked when I put it in reverse and as it changed gears it started shaking. I had it checked during an oil change that month and was told it was OK. The problem continued an din November I took it in to mcdaniels Acura in columbia, sc. I was told there was a recall on the transmissions and that the recall expired due to vehicle mileage. I informed the general manager I did not receive recall information. After contacting the Acura corporation, I was informed since I was not the original owner, I did not receive the information. I am the registered owner and information was not sent to me. Now, I am facing $4000 in repairs on a vehicle I am still paying on.
Tl* - the contact received recall 04V176000 on a 2002 Acura 3.2cl for the transmission, the dealer repaired something, but the transmission was still slipping. The dealer told him last week that they would give him a new transmission, and the parts would be in on 01/02/2007, but he had to pay for the labor to put the old transmission in. If there was a recall why did he have to pay for the labor. They fixed it before they should continue to fix it still under the recall. Ak
Related recalls (2)
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (Honda accord sedans manufactured from September 18, 1997 to January 10, 1998; coupes manufactured December 11, December 15, 1997, and January 5, 1998; Acura 2.3cl manufactured October 22, 1997 through January 7, 1998).
Remedy: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura CL years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (206), 2003 (36), 2002 (33), 1997 (20) and 1999 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 76% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Acura CL transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004); 98V-018 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura CL transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (251 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (14).
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.