Selling a dead or worn-out Acura CL

That car doesn't need fixing to be sold. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and a CL can go as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Two generations, two different stories

The CL was a two-door luxury coupe built on the Honda Accord. Wikipedia lists two generations, and the complaints split between them very unevenly: 186 on the 1997-1999 cars and 388 on the 2001-2003.

1997-1999: four or six cylinders, 4-speed automatic

The first CL went into production in February 1996 for the 1997 model year at Honda's plant in East Liberty, Ohio. Buyers chose the 2.2CL, with a 145 hp 2.2-liter four (F22B1), or the 3.0CL, with a 200 hp 3.0-liter V6 (J30A1). For 1998 and 1999 the 2.3CL replaced the 2.2, using a 150 hp 2.3-liter four (F23A1). All of them used a 4-speed automatic.

Complaints on these years are spread thin: 82 on the 1997, 55 on the 1998 and 49 on the 1999. On the 1998 the component named most is the electrical system (16 complaints), which lines up with the recall list:

• Ignition switch, 1997-1999 (02V120). Contacts inside the switch can wear down from the current that passes through at start-up. Dealers replace the switch. The campaign counts 1,000,000 vehicles across sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and SUVs, so most of them are not CLs.
• Ignition switch wear, 1998-1999 (03V423). A worn switch could let the key be turned off and pulled out without shifting, per the recall summary.
• Front lower ball joints, 1997-1998 (99V069). They can wear early and, at worst, separate and drop the front suspension. Dealers replace them.
• Park/neutral interlock, 1998 (98V018). Dealers add a collar to the transmission parking pawl. The campaign also covers Honda Accords.

2001-2003: the 3.2 V6 and the 5-speed automatic

The second CL entered production in January 2000 at Marysville, Ohio, alongside the Accord it was based on. It ran a 3.2-liter V6, the J32A1, with the Type-S getting the J32A2. Every one had a 5-speed automatic.

That transmission is the whole story of this generation. Wikipedia says reports describe slipping, flaring, downshifting, not shifting and leaking after about 40,000 miles on average. Honda extended the automatic transmission warranty on nearly all second-generation CLs to 84 months or 100,000 miles. Many rebuilt replacement transmissions had problems too, and a class action pushed coverage to 93 months or 109,000 miles for covered US owners.

A separate safety recall, 04V176, covers 2001-2003 cars. The recall describes heat collecting where the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears meet. Wikipedia adds that a gear could overheat, break and lock the transmission, stopping the car suddenly. The campaign's 1,099,796 vehicles include minivans and SUVs, so that number is not CLs alone.

The 2003 has one more mechanical recall worth knowing: 02V226, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump that could sit out of line and let the belt touch a bolt on the cylinder head. Dealers inspect the pump and replace it and the belt if needed.

Complaints and recalls, year by year

CL owner complaints were counted at NHTSA on October 10, 2026; the power train column holds reports tagged to that part. Campaigns often span more than one model year, which is why the last column totals more than 11. Later CL coupes got less time in service to pile up reports, yet even a 2003 CL is past twenty years old.

Behind the power train, air bags draw the most CL complaints: 70. Five of the 11 campaigns replace or inspect the driver's air bag inflator: 20V026 (1998-2001), 20V027 (2001-2002), and 15V320, 19V182 and 19V499 (all 2003). Each covers many Honda and Acura models.

Repair the coupe or let it go?

1. Run the VIN first. Enter it at NHTSA's recall lookup and ask an Acura dealer about anything still open, especially the air bag inflators.
2. Don't count on the old transmission coverage. The 84-month and 93-month terms ended long ago on every CL. With a dead CL transmission, compare a shop's written quote against what a running CL sells for. Our bad transmission guide covers the symptoms.
3. Weigh the age. A quote that comes near the car's running value is the point where repairs cost more than it is worth.

Selling a CL whole

1. Write down the VIN and mileage, plus the symptom and whether the wheels turn.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe its spot: driveway, garage, street or a shop's back lot.
4. Leave every part on. You sell the whole car as it sits; mention anything already pulled.
5. At CL pickup, the driver leaves with your title and keys along with the car. Lost the title? Read selling with no title. For plates and insurance, see after you sell.

Looking at other Acuras? See the TL that replaced the CL, the Legend coupe before it, or every Acura we cover.