Acura Cl Years to AvoidThe weakest years — and the one you should buy instead
After reviewing every Acura Cl we've analyzed (5 years), these are the 1 weakest. Each one has either an absolute low AutoScore, chronic repair issues, or unusually high ownership costs relative to other Cl years.
Proceed with caution
2002 Acura Cl
While the 2002 Acura CL offers compelling performance and luxury styling, its catastrophic automatic transmission failures make it an extremely high-risk proposition for most buyers. Unless you are seeking out the rare manual transmission variant or are prepared for a costly transmission replacement, this vehicle should be approached with extreme caution.
Why this year scores low
The 5-speed automatic transmission is prone to premature failure, specifically involving the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear clutch packs due to fluid degradation and design flaws. This often results in erratic shifting, slipping, or complete loss of gears.
Various electrical components can fail, including HID headlight ballasts, power window regulators, climate control display backlights, and intermittent dashboard warning lights. These issues are often annoying but can be costly to diagnose and repair.
Common wear items include control arm bushings, compliance bushings, and ball joints, leading to clunking noises, poor alignment retention, and a degraded ride quality. Power steering pumps can also develop leaks.
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