Subframe rusted through on the passenger side where the cause is a manufacturer defect of condensation from the air conditioning dripping directly above onto the subframe on the passenger side, which created a perforation of the passenger side subframe. Subframe holds the suspension and steering components together and if the passenger side frame from the manufacter defect were to break traveling at highway speed, the car would loose control and cause accidents. The vehicle was inspected at an independent facility and is ready to be inspected again upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11450505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UPON REMOVING MY FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL TO CHECK MY BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE SUB-FRAME (WHICH HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE STEERING RACK AND SWAY BAR) HAD RUSTED AWAY ALLOWING THE SWAY BAR TO COME COMPLETELY LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY LATE 1990S AND EARLY 2000 HONDA/ACURA MODELS (PRIMARILY HONDA ACCORDS, ACURA TL AND CL MODELS) HAD THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE POORLY DESIGNED AIR-CONDITIONING CONDENSER DRAIN THAT DRAINED RIGHT ON TOP OF THIS PART, CAUSING AN EXTREME RUST CONDITION. (THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE OF THIS PART STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW AND IS SOUND) IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THESE CARS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THIS PART REPLACED (A REPAIR OF THIS PART IS NOT POSSIBLE, IT MUST BE A FULL REPLACEMENT), I WILL RETAIN THE REMOVED PART FOR INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL SHOULD YOU DESIRE TO SEE IT. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION AS BEST I COULD. (I'M SORRY THE PHOTOS ARE NOT BETTER, IT'S A DIFFICULT AREA TO REACH WITH A CAMERA)
NHTSA complaint #11245484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR IS HAVING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ITS CONSENT WANT TO SHIFT IN 3RD GEAR,AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS MAKING A LOT OF CRADLING AND CLSNKING WHILE DRIVING OVER TINY BUMPSS
NHTSA complaint #11001197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): 19UYA42441A... SUMMARY: THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IS ROTTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONER OUTPUT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FRAME DRIPPING ON IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS OK AND SHOWING NO SIGNS OF RUST. I FEEL THIS IS AN ENGINEERING ISSUE NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ACURA LOCAL SERVICE AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT DISAGREE WITH MY CONCLUSION BUT WILL NOT OFFER ANY REPAIR COMPENSATION TO HAVE THE SUB-FRAME REPLACED. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKES WITH THE FRONT WHEEL REMOVED. OTHERWISE, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KNOWN UNTIL A CATASTROPHIC FRAME COLLAPSE.THEY SAID THE FRAME SEEMED TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AT THIS TIME BUT IT DEFINITELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEY SAID THEY FOUND ONLY TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT A SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 01 TO 04 CL'S. ACURA TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE AGE, NO COMPENSATION CAN BE OFFERED. I AM A LOYAL ACURA CUSTOMER HAVING PURCHASED 4 OF THEIR VEHICLES IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT ONE A 2015 TLX MODEL. THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THE ACURA CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE. MY HOPE IS THAT BY IDENTIFYING THE ABOVE PROBLEM, IT WILL HELP PRESERVE PRESENT AND FUTURE ACURA BUYERS AND SAVE AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A FRAME COLLAPSE WITH LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. SINCE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN CAUSED BY AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY, I FEEL ACURA SHOULD AGREE TO SUPPORT ALL OR SOME REPAIR COSTS AND NOTIFY CURRENT OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE PICTURES OF AFFECTED AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10778339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IS ROTTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONER OUTPUT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FRAME DRIPPING ON IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS OK AND SHOWING NO SIGNS OF RUST. I FEEL THIS IS AN ENGINEERING ISSUE NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ACURA LOCAL SERVICE AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT DISAGREE WITH MY CONCLUSION BUT WILL NOT OFFER ANY REPAIR COMPENSATION TO HAVE THE SUB-FRAME REPLACED. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKES WITH THE FRONT WHEEL REMOVED. OTHERWISE, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KNOWN UNTIL A CATASTROPHIC FRAME COLLAPSE.THEY SAID THE FRAME SEEMED TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AT THIS TIME BUT IT DEFINITELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEY SAID THEY FOUND ONLY TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT A SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 01 TO 04 CL'S. ACURA TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE AGE, NO COMPENSATION CAN BE OFFERED. I AM A LOYAL ACURA CUSTOMER HAVING PURCHASED 4 OF THEIR VEHICLES IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT ONE A 2015 TLX MODEL. THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THE ACURA CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE. MY HOPE IS THAT BY IDENTIFYING THE ABOVE PROBLEM, IT WILL HELP PRESERVE PRESENT AND FUTURE ACURA BUYERS AND SAVE AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A FRAME COLLAPSE WITH LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. SINCE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN CAUSED BY AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY, I FEEL ACURA SHOULD AGREE TO SUPPORT ALL OR SOME REPAIR COSTS AND NOTIFY CURRENT OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10763911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING INTO WORK ON THURSDAY THE 16TH OF APRIL, 2015 I WAS ROUNDING A DESIGNATED U-TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 3-5MPH. AS I WAS MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN, MY CAR DROPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND A SCRAPPING NOISE STARTED TO SOUND. MY CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND A GRINDING NOISE MADE ME WEARY TO MOVE. BECOMING STATIONARY, I WAS SIDEWAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH CARS APPROACHING. I PROCEEDED TO SLOWLY INCH MY CAR OUT OF THE ROAD AND INTO A SAFE LOCATION WITH THE GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I LIFTED MY CAR UP USING THE JACK IN THE TRUNK I COULD VISIBLY SEE MY LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COME OUT OF THE SOCKET AND THE SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COLLAPSED. IF THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE BEFORE THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT I WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY 75. I AM LUCKY THAT THIS COMPONENT FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN THE WHEEL BUCKLING UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE BREAK. ALSO I AM LUCKY THERE WERE NO MORE THAN A FEW CARS APPROACHING ME WHEN THIS OCCURRED (T-BONE SITUATION). I HAVE BEEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE TO CONFIRM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V069000 HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND IS FOR THIS EXACT SAME CONSEQUENCE, WHICH IT SEEMS TO BE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MAY BE CATEGORIZED AS A WEAR COMPONENT BUT THE BALL JOINT ON ANY CAR SHOULD NEVER COME OUT OF PLACE OR FAIL AT ALL. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS ALREADY RECALLED AND REPAIRED DONE AGAIN DUE TO THE RECALL NOT HOLDING UP. THE ISSUE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 WAS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH CONTACTS SPREADING RESULTING IN A STALL CONDITION AND IN COME CASES A NO-START CONDITION POST STALL. THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED AND JUST RE-COMPLETED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH SO IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FIXES THAT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED BY ACURA SEEM TO BANDAGE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A ROBUST FIX THAT WILL NOT PRESENT THE ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED ACURA WHOM STATED THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10717329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN UPDATED 10/23/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER'S CONDENSATION DRIPPED ON TO THE BOLTED AREA CAUSING THE RUST. UPDATED 3/23/2015*JS UPDATED 7/14/2015
NHTSA complaint #10631933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10585337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURES CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE TIRE AND BUMPER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND DRIVE SHAFT CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #10238151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 ACURA 3.0CL. IN 2004, FOUR NEW TIRES WERE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. IN 2005, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HEARS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT FELT AS IF THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF, SO SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN. THE BALL JOINTS WERE IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS THAT OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAD WITH THERE 3.0 CL AND LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10226828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 1- TO 20 MPH, THE WHEEL CAVED IN AND TILTED SIDEWAYS, DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT FENDER. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. PAUL'S MOTORS 845 471-4240. THE BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED. THE FENDER DAMAGE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE BODY SHOP. THE TIRE WAS ALSO DAMAGED AND WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10174182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 ACURA CL 3.2 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS, TIMING BELT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION AND ENGINE. THE CONSUMER DID STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND BELT TENSIONER.
NHTSA complaint #10119198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT EARLIER #99V069000. I WANTED TO CLARIFY THE PART THAT FAILED. IT WAS THE BALL JOINT THAT BROKE IN HALF, AND IT IS CONNECTED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ALSO DIGITAL PICTURES WERE TAKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10074695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10073640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 ACURA CL S TYPE AT 400 MILES A TIRE WAS MICHELIN TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE WALL, THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND WITH 11,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACE TWO MORE TIRES FOR BUBBLES. NOW A FOURTH TIRE HAS A BUBBLE. I AM TOLD BY ACURA AND MICHELIN THAT THESE ARE CAUSED BY POT HOLES. THERE IS NO RIM DAMAGE AND I WAS TOLD BY COSTCO THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE ACURA BECAUSE OF SUSPENSION. THIS IS NOT SAFE, SOME BUBBLES ARE ON INSIDE WALLS AND CAN NOT BE SEEN. I DON'T BELIEVE ANY TESTING WAS DONE. THIS TIRE SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE TIRES EVERY MONTH THESE TIRE ARE BRAND NEW AND MICHELIN IS MAKING A TON OF MONEY. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE CRASHED. I WOULD LIKE TO AVOID THIS....I WOULD LIKE EITHER MICHELIN OR ACURA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM OR I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT OF MY LEASE SINCE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10060069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WERE A RECALL 99V069000. AND, MY VECHILE FITS THE QUAIFICATIONS: ACURA 1997 3.0CL. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T QUALIFIY. BUT, THE PROBLEM THAT IS LISTED ON THE RECALL IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT I HAVE. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10058395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE WOBBLING. TOOK IT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT THAT DID NOT WORK SO THEN I BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT TO ACURA AND THEY CLAIM IT IS THE TIRES SO I CHANGED THE TIRES WITH WIDER TIRES STILL THE PROBLEM IS THERE . MY CAR IS A LUXURY CAR IT SHOULD RIDE SMOOTH AND IT IS NOT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON YOUR WEB PAGE FOR RECALLS, CAMPAIGN #K59, IT SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED FOR RECALL OF BALL JOINTS. BOTH LOCAL DEALER AND ACURA CLAIM THAT THIS RECALL ONLY AFFECTS THE MODEL RL, AND NOT MY CL, AS YOUR RECALL STATES. IS THERE AN ERROR ON YOUR WEB PAGE?
NHTSA complaint #735505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.