1999 Acura CL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
102,587 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 49 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 30.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 12.2% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Electrical System: 7; Air Bags: 5; Engine: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Steering: 3; Tires: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2020: 5
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10028945 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)
THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH ACURA 1999 2.3CL. A HEAVY RATTLING NOISE COMES WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR 20-30 MPH OR WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM HALT. THE NOISE IS SOMETIMES SO HEAVY AND FRIGHTENING, THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER FOR ATLEAST 6-8 TIMES. I WENT TO THE DEALER, ASKING TO REPAIR, BUT HE SAID THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 4CYL ENGINES OF THAT YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067453 · 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND EGR VALVE. *PH *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 101,174 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196532 · 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE: THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS : FAILURE TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE OR TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN IT IS IN PARK. LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC(SPEED DROPS FROM 55 MPH TO 0 MPH WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY). CAR WILL NOT ADVANCE SPEED WHEN MOVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY TURNS ON. WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: BREAK LAMP, V-TECH FILTERS, MULTIPLE SERVICE CHECKS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. HAVE HAD FOUR TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395307 · 2011-04-08 (April 8, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V423000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 181,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038209 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
THE BRAKES OVERHEATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *AK THE RADIATOR OVER HEATED. THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED OUT AND INSPECTED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185639 · 2007-03-20 (March 20, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3 CL. WHILE ON AN HILL OR A SLIGHT UPGRADE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *AK UPDATE 5/3/07*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10248994 · 2008-11-17 (November 17, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 2.3CL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V423000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788306 · 2015-11-04 (November 4, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA CL. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE TURNED IN THE LEFT DIRECTION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A MAN HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003513 · 2002-02-04 (February 4, 2002)
STEERING GEAR WILL LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003513 at NHTSA ↗