FaultScore

Acura CL window and wiper problems

26 of the 731 complaints filed about the Acura CL are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

26

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

1997 CL 6 23.1%
1998 CL 2 7.7%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

1999 CL 2 7.7%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

2000 CL 1 3.8%
2001 CL 13 50.0%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2002 CL 2 7.7%

Median failure at 41,000 miles

What owners said

1998 Acura CL at 85,000 miles Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

IT IS MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW THE WINDOW PART IN DOOR THAT CAUSE WINDOW TO GO UP AND DOWN BREAKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN I LOOKED IN ACURA FORUM WHERE IT'S EVERYONE IS HAVING PROBLEMS SAME THING AND THE COMPANY NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM DID IT ANYWAY AND HOPED NO RECALL WOULD COME ABOUT. NOW THIS IS SHADES PRACTICE I WENT TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN A BEE WAS IN CAR I WAS DRIVING AND COULDN'T JUST PULL OVER ON FREE WAY. MY WINDOW BROKE AGAIN I GOT STUNG I'M SWOLLEN FROM STING AND ALL CAUSE COULDN'T ROLL DOWN A WINDOW THAT SHOULD ALWAYS WORK! I HAVE HAD IT WITH ACURA.

NHTSA complaint #10747283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 70,000 miles Boca Raton, FL

VISIBILITY

2001 ACURA CL TYPE S REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAK. MIRROR BECAME CLOUDY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE LEAKED FROM REAR VIEW MIRROR. SUBSTANCE IS HIGHLY CORROSIVE AND DAMAGES WHATEVER IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH.

NHTSA complaint #10245690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 110,000 miles Roanoke, VA

VISIBILITY

2001 ACURA CL TYPE-S REAR VIEW MIRROR (SELF DIMMING) IS LEAKING A BLACK TAR TYPE SUBSTANCE THAT IS EATING THROUGH THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE CAR. THERE IS A GREY TYPE OF FILM IN THE MIRROR AND OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR APPEAR DOUBLED. THROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE MANUFACTURER, MAGNA DONNELLY AND WEBSITES INDICATING THE FLUID IS TOXIC AND CAN LEAD TO HEALTH ISSUES. I THINK THAT ACURA SHOULD SUBMIT A RECALL AND MAGNA DONNELLY SHOULD PAY FOR REPLACEMENT MIRRORS.

NHTSA complaint #10240619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 130,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

VISIBILITY

REAR VIEW MIRROR (SELF DIMMING) ON MY 2001 ACURA CL SELF DESTRUCTED AND SPILT SOME TOXIC DARK THIS FLUID ON TO THE CONSOLE AND LEATHER SEATS THAT ATE AWAY THE MATERIAL. MANUFACTURER OF THESE SELF DIMMING MIRRORS IS MAGNA DONNELY AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL ACURA CL AND TL CARS FROM LATE 90'S TILL 2003. FROM SEEING THE NUMBER OF POSTS ON ACURAZINE BLOG THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM HAVING TO DRIVE WITH A PLASTIC ZIPLOCK BAG AROUND MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND A TOWEL BELOW IT. ACURA USA HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR. I THINK THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES IF THIS WAS HAPPENING SO OFTEN. PLEASE SEE POSTS AT: HTTP://CL.ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=488763.

NHTSA complaint #10240125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 84,500 miles Raleigh, NC

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OF MY 2001 ACURA CLS STARTED LEAKING THE CHEMICAL THAT ALLOWS IT TO DIM. I BELIEVE IT WAS BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE HERE IN NC HAS BEEN AROUND 100 DEGREES FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I'VE READ SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS DESCRIBING INCIDENTS WHERE THEIR MIRRORS EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CHEMICAL TO SPEW ALL OVER THEIR CARS. THE CHEMICAL EATS THROUGH LEATHER AND PLASTIC, AND IT CAN CAUSE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO ONE'S HEALTH IF INHALED. THE FORUMS HAVE DATED BACK TO 2004, ONE POST SITED A LAWSUIT UNDERWAY (IN 2006). I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL OF THIS MIRROR.

NHTSA complaint #10230378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 50,000 miles Landover Hills, MD

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED, SHOOK, AND WOBBLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON JANUARY 9, 2008, THE CONTACT WENT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SALVAGED VEHICLE. HE WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY HIS CREDIT UNION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,374 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10214431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 18,000 miles Arcadia, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE FLUID COULD BE AND IF IT WAS TOXIC. THE FLUID HAS ETCHED HIS VEHICLE CONSOLE AND THE MIRROR IS NOW DISCOLORED. HE STATED THAT THE FLUID IS VERY BLACK AND RESEMBLES TAR. THERE IS A GRAY FILM COVERING THE MIRROR AND HE CANNOT LOOK THROUGH IT TO SEE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 02-01-08.

NHTSA complaint #10196498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL at 55,000 miles Glen Allen, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

1) APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO, I BEGAN NOTICING AN OILY/GREASY SUBSTANCE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I USED MY WINDOW WASHER CLEANER. I ASSUMED IT WAS FAULTY WIPERS AND REPLACED THESE REPEATEDLY OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN. 2) ACURA TSB 01004 AND NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 623220 DETAILS THE PROBLEM...THE OIL/GREASY FILM BEING DEPOSITED ON THE WINDSHIELD IS SO SEVERE, THAT IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD; WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CAR CRASH. 3) ACURA WILL NOT MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10171994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Acura CL at 41,000 miles Davie, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

SINCE THE SECOND DAY OF HAVING MY CAR, MY CAR HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR OVER 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS AND SOMETIMES REPEATING PROBLEMS. THIS ALL HAS OCCURRED WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SO SEVERE THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS MY TRANSMISSION SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFTING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED A TREMENDOUS DECREASE OF SPEED. HAD SOMEONE BEEN IN BACK OF ME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT IT CONTINUES TO ACT SPONTANEOUSLY. AFTER MAKING COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO ACURA OF AMERICA, I FEEL SNUBBED BY THEM IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO ASSIST ME OTHER THAN WARRANTY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10120061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Acura CL at 41,000 miles Davie, FL

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

SINCE THE SECOND DAY OF HAVING MY CAR, MY CAR HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR OVER 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS AND SOMETIMES REPEATING PROBLEMS. THIS ALL HAS OCCURRED WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SO SEVERE THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS MY TRANSMISSION SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFTING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED A TREMENDOUS DECREASE OF SPEED. HAD SOMEONE BEEN IN BACK OF ME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT IT CONTINUES TO ACT SPONTANEOUSLY. AFTER MAKING COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO ACURA OF AMERICA, I FEEL SNUBBED BY THEM IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO ASSIST ME OTHER THAN WARRANTY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10120061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Acura CL at 67,000 miles ST. Petersburg, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN AND WOULD NOT WORK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONCE. SERVICE STAFF AT ACURA DEALER WAS AWARE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE CL.

NHTSA complaint #10088827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Acura CL Santa Rosa, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

AFTER PARKING MY CAR I WENT INTO A STORE. WHEN I RETURNED MY WINDOW WAS DOWN 3/4 OF THE WAY AND I KNOW I DIDN'T LEAVE IT DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS POORING DOWN RAIN OUTSIDE. AS IT TURNS OUT MY WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP, I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE WINDOW DOWN, MY SEAT GOT SOAKED WITH RAIN. AS OF NOW MY WINDOW I FOUND OUT THAT A CLIP IN THE WINDOW BROKE. I AM VERY ANGRY BECAUSE MY CAR IS A 97 AND I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD IT 2 YEARS. I GUESS I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED NOW BUT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT HONDA MANUFACTURED WINDOW PROBLEMS. I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO TELL SOMEONE MY STORY.

NHTSA complaint #10059060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Acura CL at 27,000 miles Plantation, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DOOR CABLE REGULATOR BROKE. DUE TO THE BROKEN CABLE, THE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOORS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. *AK ACURA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM MAY RECUR IN ANY OF THE WINDOWS AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, SHOPPING CENTER, ETC., DUE TO THE FACT THE THEY COULD OPEN BY THEMSELVES. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10044530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Acura CL Barrington, RI

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I WAS DRIVING A LONG LAST WEEK IN MY 1997 ACURA 2.2CL THAT I JUST PURCHASED LAST AUGUST 2002, WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES ON IT NOW WITH 47,000 MILES AND I WENT TO PUT DOWN MY DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW AND THE WINDOW JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR. THIS SHOULD NO WAY HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW "RUNNER" AND NEW CABLES IN THE DOOR. APPROXIMATELY A 200-250$ JOB WHICH I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR WHEN MY CAR IS AT SUCH YOUNG MILEAGE. I COULD SEE IF I HAD TO REPLACE A BELT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE ENGINE, NO PROBLEM, BUT A WINDOW, NO WAY!

NHTSA complaint #10037056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Acura CL Perrysburg, OH

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED, CAUSING WINDOW TO SLIDE INTO THE DOOR. HAD REPAIRS DONE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT NOW THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR LIGHT IN DOOR DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10029173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Acura CL Bradenton, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

MR

NHTSA complaint #768462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Acura CL Santa Clara, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WERE POSITIONED TOO HIGH, CONSUMER STATED THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #566707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL Santa Clara, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POSITIONING OF THE 2 OUTSIDE MIRRORS IS TOO HIGH, BY AT LEAST 5-6 INCHES, WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR INTERSECTION, THERE ARE 2 BLIND SPOTS, ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAN NOT BE SEEN FROM THE LEFT AND RIGHT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #567313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Acura CL Boyton Beach, FL

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

WHILE DRIVING AND LOOKING THROUGH SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON PASSENGERS SIDE IT GIVES A BLIND SIDE, DRIVER CANNOT SEE. SPOKE WITH ACURA, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DESIGN OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #8005954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Acura CL Penbroke Pines, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

REGULATOR SWITCH FOR THE POWER WINDOWS IN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Acura CL problems