The most-reported CL run is 19UYA42641A (2001 builds) with 19 complaints, 7.3× the typical run. Power train problems make up 56% of reports; 2001 is the worst model year at 5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for CL model years 1997–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Acura CL has 180 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 16% of every CL complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19UYA42641A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA42631A•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| 19UYA42611A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA42651A•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 19UYA42661A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA42621A•••••• | 2001 | — | 1 | |
| 19UYA42671A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA42681A•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 19UYA42601A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA42471A•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| 19UYA42451A•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 19UYA2253WL•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 168 CL runs has 7 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Acura CL the gap between build years is 3.1×: a 2001 car draws 5 complaints per run, a 2002 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 59 | 34 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 36 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 226 | 45 | 11 | |
| 1999 | 36 | 21 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 48 | 25 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 63 | 36 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2001 at 5 complaints per run; lightest is 2002 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 56% of everything Acura CL owners report: Power Train, 260 of 468 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 13 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | — | |
| Suspension | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — | |
| Visibility | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Acura CL; the 6 below cover build years 1997 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 04V176000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 2001–2003 |
| 20V026000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 1998–2001 |
| 02V120000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1997–1999 |
| 20V027000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2001–2002 |
| 03V423000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1998–1999 |
| 99V069000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint | 1997–1998 |
04V176000 was opened in 2004 on cars built from 2001: 3 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 468 reports on the Acura CL, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Acura CL | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 468 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 23 (4.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (0.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Acura CL share of that is 468 complaints over 180 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Acura CL VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 468 NHTSA complaints from 180 CL runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which CL production run has the most complaints?
19UYA42641A, a 2001 build, with 19 complaints. The typical CL run has 2.6.
Which CL years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2001 is heaviest at 5 complaints per run and 2002 lightest at 1.6.
How many CL complaints involve a crash?
4.9% of 468 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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