Model year guide

2003 Acura CL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Acura CL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 19 on record.

2003 Acura CL — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Acura CL at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints79
Typical price$3,405

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Acura CL recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V182000 · 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgelin…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer ser…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V499000 · 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V320000 · 28/05/2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible …

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles tha…

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #02V226000 · 28/08/2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #04V176000 · 15/04/2004

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.

Fix: 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 EXPE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Acura CL common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

What's a 2003 Acura CL worth?

Low
$1,600
Typical price
$3,405
High
$8,000

From 19 comparable 2003 Acura CL listings.

2003 Acura CL trims & engines on record

Trims
3.2 Type-S · 3.2 · Type-S
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl 260 hp · 3.2L 6-cyl 225 hp

2003 Acura CL vehicles on record

2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42723A011213 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42613A011839 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42483A004675 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42513A005658 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA424X3A000143 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42693A003391 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA427X3A008916 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42683A007786 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA426X3A012682 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42683A005519 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42423A007426 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA41683A005392 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42493A012848 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42713A015723 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA424X3A014561 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S19UYA42663A003381 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42443A003121 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 3.219UYA42413A007336 2003 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL Type-S19UYA42613A003563

Other Acura CL model years

2002 2001 1999 1998 1997

2003 Acura CL — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Acura CL have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2003 Acura CL. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura CL?

Across all 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, tires.

How much is a 2003 Acura CL worth?

Comparable 2003 Acura CL listings run roughly $1,600–$8,000, typically around $3,405 (from 19 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.