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. The diagnosis from Acura of Berlin in Berlin, CT verified that the symptoms were the result of the faulty transmission as described in the TSB. I submitted this information to Acura Customer Service and was informed on September 29, 2025, that due to the age of the vehicle Acura will not compensate me fully or partially for the repair. In my view, although this is an older vehicle, it has low mileage at 102.000 miles and is therefore expected to be on the road for many years. The transmission only grinds at this point, but it may start to pop out of third gear in the future as described in the TSB. I consider this a safety issue in that the transmission popping out of gear unexpectedly would result in some loss of control of the vehicle. I don't expect Acura to fully compensate me for this repair but in light of this problem being a known and documented issue with this vehicle and all the parts for repair are still available I would expect that Acura would stand by its product and offer to contribute to the total cost of this repair.
2003 Acura CL transmission problems
36 complaints (49% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 49%
- typical mileage
- 75,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission17
- Manual transmission4
- Manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Acura CL transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Acura CL transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
PE02081
What 2003 Acura CL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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!
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Transmission failed despite the car having the factory recommended service for the transmission being performed at 60k and 89k. The transmission dropped into 2nd while on the highway at 65mph. Upon investigating it was found the car was part of a class action due to transmission failure, but I was not eligible since the car was out of the extended warranty period.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura cl. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the transmission failed causing a reduction in acceleration. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 107,000.
Was driving on a 3 lane road. I noticed that when I accelerate from 1st to 2nd gear the RPM's were revving up and then felt the tug when it would grab the gear. Kept doing that and then started to 3rd gear as well. Downshifting same thing. Then it did a strong lock up of vehicle where it stopped and all the check engine, and 2 or 3 lights came on. D5 started to blink. I put hazards and pulled over. Shut vehicle off then back on and 1 of the 3 lights turned off. Took it to shop and was told that this vehicle has transmission issues and was part of a honda recall but I was over the mileage. Still waiting on what to do next. This is for the 2003 acura cl type s.
I own a 2003 acura 3.2 cl. I read up on the car and I see acura had a recall on the transmission for this year. I put the VIN number in and I also called the acura dealership in columbus georgia and it show that my acura have had the transmission replace in it from the first recall, at 104,000 mileage my transmission have went out again. I know this can not be natural for this problem to have been repaired and still have the same problem. The car is an 2003 with the mileage 104,000 which is a great for an 2003. This is my first acura and it have made me love the acura family. Can you please repair the problem. Thank you
Questions about the 2003 Acura CL transmission
Does the 2003 Acura CL have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Acura CL, 49% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Acura CL transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Acura CL transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura CL have bad transmission?
The Acura CL model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (206 complaints), 2003 (36 complaints) and 2002 (33 complaints).
Other 2003 Acura CL problems
Airbags 9Brakes 5Lights 5Electrical 4Engine 4Body 3Fuel system 3Steering 3Suspension 3Tires 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Acceleration 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Acura CL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history