02CL-TypeS

I just bought an 02 Acura CL Type S with 105,560 miles. It had a clean carfax record and two previous owners, but never had a tranny replacement on record. I have enjoyed hot rodding the new car wth the sport shifter and getting those high rev's in for the vtec....NOW I AM WORRIED THOUGH

Am I still eligable for the tranny recall? Can I just take it to an Acura or Honda dealership or what?

BTW, not much maintanence has been done to the car, but it runs great so far. What should I be concerned about....tranny flush, oil change, new spark plugs, ...

thanks

CL-Slick

iTrader: (7)

The tranny should be covered. You need to do a 100k service (timing belt & water pump) if it has already not been done.

02CL-TypeS

should I go have it replaced now even though it is working perfectly fine? Also, I'm pretty sure the timing belt was replaced....it looked brand spankin new. Not sure about the water pump...

And since the tranny is covered...is there a certain amount of time or miles that I have left before the tranny is no longer covered. Say I had a problem, I could just take it to an acura dealership and they wouldn't even question me...just replace the tranny

CL-Slick

iTrader: (7)

I think the re-call is 5yrs 109k. Just go to your acura dealer and say that it is having problems, so they will note it on your record. That way is it goes after the warranty, the will most likely still replace it.

disgruntlednut

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2539666

^^ That link is your new best friend. Make it your homepage if you have to. You two should become better acquainted.

Nearly anything and everything you're ever going to need to know about your car is there.

You can't see your timing belt, it has a cover around it. You need to find out if its been replaced or not, cuz when that thing breaks you can say bye bye to that motor. Try to contact the previous owner. As far as the transmission is concerned... Call your local Acura dealer, give 'em the VIN and they'll tell you if its been replaced or if its still under warranty.

oh... and "SEARCH" is your other best friend.

VIPCLS

If it goes, join the rest of the crew!!!

BigLizard

vincethe1

No

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

93 months/109k is the extended warranty period

disgruntlednut

no?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

You can go there: http://owners.acura.com/

Register your name & vin & see any open recalls.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Here is the recall letter:

This was extended to 93 months/109k by the class action suit.

October 2002

Dear 3.2TL and 3.2CL Owners:

American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for the automatic transmission on all 2000-02 3.2TLs, all 2001-02 3.2CLs, and some 2003 3.2TLs and 3.2CLs. The automatic transmission and torque converter are now covered for a total of 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date of original sale. We are providing this warranty extension because a higher than normal number of automatic transmissions in certain vehicles may have problems due to defects in material or workmanship beyond the 4-year, 50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.
How do I know if there is a problem with my vehicle's automatic transmission?

If you think your vehicle has a transmission problem, refer to the operating characteristics below. Understanding these characteristics can help you decide if you need to call your Acura dealer.

These characteristics are normal; they should not require you to call your Acura dealer.

* Quick downshifts. The transmission has a computerized control system called grade logic. When going down a hill, even a light touch of the brake pedal can cause grade lobic to downshift to the next lower gear. Downshifting helps to slow the vehicle through engine braking.

* Does not always shift through the full range of gears. This can also be caused by the grade logic system keeping the transmission in the optimum gear for different driving conditions.

* Mechanical noise when selecting a forward or reverse gear. It's normal to hear a slight mechanical noise when moving the shift lever from one gear to another. This noise can sound abnormally loud if any of the windows are down and you are parked next to a wall or another vehicle.

* Vehicle may not hold its position when stopped on an incline in gear (may roll backward when the brake pedal is released). This can occur on most Acura-made vehicles. It is one of the measures used to improve fuel economy.

* Hard shifts before the engine warms up. By design, the transmission shifts a little harder when the engine is cold. It returns to smoother shifting when the engine warms up.

These characteristics are not normal; if you experience any of them, call your Acura dealer.

* While driving, the D5 indicator on the instrument panel flashes.

D5 Indicator


* An abnormally loud noise from the transmission.
* Extremely slow or delayed gear engagement, upshifts, or downshifts.
* Abnormal gear slippage during upshifts or downshifts.
* Erratic or excessively harsh shifting.
* Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) leaks.

In the next few weeks, owners of potentially affected vehicles will be sent a copy of this letter along with reimbursement instructions in case they previously paid to have the transmission repaired or replaced.

It's important to maintain your vehicle's transmission according to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Not maintaining the transmission properly can void the warranty coverage.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Acura Automobile Division

VQPower37

do like 10 neutral drops the tranny will be gone ... then go get a new one

jaysizzlecity

The tranny thing is a myth i had my 01 CLS A/T for 5 years now and never had a problem. I got mine at 11,000 miles and after that I never had a problem. I always push my CLS hard to the floor everyday and never had a problem. Its all a myth to me because i never had a problem....

disgruntlednut

Tell that to my first and second transmissions :surrender :surrender ...

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Really?

So what you are saying is anything you do not actually witness is a myth?

My 97 3.0 CL tranny began having issues about 10k died at 32k.

My 01 CLS has a tranny replaced under warranty at about 65k Think they did that out of the normal warranty period cause giving is better than getting?

Do you think American Honda extended the warranty out of the goodness of their hearts?

Do you think American Honda agreed to the class action settlement for shi*s & grins?

Corrosion

I hope you remember this post when your car shifts to 2nd @ 65 mph and throws your face towards the windshield. (I hope you wear your seatbelt!)

jaysizzlecity

I haven't seen any physical evidence....

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

We have no physical evidence of black holes, science infers their existence based on the behavior of things in the vicinity we can see.

I have never been to Pompeii, I KNOW it existed and that Vesuvius destroyed it in 79 AD before I was born by a few years.

jaysizzlecity

I have to do some research on this

Corrosion

Start with the whole section on the forum dedicated to the transmission recall.

If you need some reassurance, I can let you talk to my buddy who is on tranny #4 at 70k miles.

jaysizzlecity

I found a one year test review... http://motortrend.automotive.com/397...-cl/index.html

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Skepticism works both ways. Just because someone doubts the existence of a phenomenon does not render it moot.

I have two cars effected and am telling you this exists. There are numerous posts from others and if you search you will find much more supporting data.

I hope your transmission goes 10,000,000 miles but even if it does that does not change the fact that the issue exists.

Do you think a craigslist ad would lie about the issue?

http://ithaca.craigslist.org/car/700437387.html

How about this?

http://www.hondacarforum.com/acura/2...on-recall.html

Or this:

http://www.dealtime.com/xPR-Acura_20...D-342312259204

In addition to the 2002 letter from Acura I posted above here is another from 2004:

Summer 2004



Safety Recall: CL and TL Automatic Transmission Second Gear Inspection Dear Acura Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
What is the reason for this notice?

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2001-03 3.2CLs, 2000-03 3.2TLs, and 2004 TLs.

Certain operating conditions can result in heat buildup in the transmission second gear set and may lead to gear tooth chipping. In very rare cases, gear breakage can occur. Gear failure could result in transmission lock-up, and a crash could occur without warning.
What should you do?

Call any authorized Acura dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. For vehicles with less than 15,000 miles, the dealer will install an oil jet kit to provide additional lubrication to the gears. For vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the affected gear for heat discoloration, which indicates possible damage. If heat discoloration exists, the dealer will replace the transmission. If heat discoloration is not found, the dealer will install an oil jet kit. This work will be done free of charge. Please plan to leave your vehicle all day to allow the dealer flexibility in scheduling the inspection and installing the oil jet kit. If transmission replacement is needed, the work will take more than one day.
Who to contact if you experience problems.

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from your Honda dealer, you may write to:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle, without charge, within a reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to:

Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

Or call the toll-free Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

What to do if you feel this notice is in error.

Our records show that you are the current owner or lessee of a 2001-03 3.2CL, 2000-03 3.2TL, or 2004 TL involved in this campaign. If this is not the case, or the name/address information is not correct, please fill out and return the enclosed, postage-paid Information Change Card. We will then update our records.

If you paid to have the transmission replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Refer to the attached instructions for eligibility requirements and the reimbursement procedure.
Lessor Information.

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions.

If you have any questions about this notice, or need assistance with contacting an Acura dealer, please call Acura Client Services at (800) 382-2238, and select menu option #2.

We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign may cause you.

Sincerely,

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Acura Automobile Division

immauser

iTrader: (1)

im at 104,000 miles....just bought the car not too long ago..my tranny is running fine, but i was wondering if i should take it to acura and have them replace it before it hits 109k? or would they have to wait for it to fail first?

YeuEmMaiMai

are you stuck on stupid?

I went to page 4 of that article and found this

Total mileage 9475

9K miles in 1 year is NOT typical and that is most likely the reason they have not experienced failure..(low miles)

immauser

iTrader: (1)

im at 105 almost.....still running strong