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2001 Acura Cl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cl years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Cl are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

177 reports with mileage · 94 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 206 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

32 reports
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37,000 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Air Bags

THE ODPS SENSOR FAILS IF, ACCORDING TO ACURA, SOMEONE PLACES A CELL PHONE, LAPTOP COMPUTER ETC. ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SENSOR MAY ALSO FAIL IF SOMEONE PLUGS SOMETHING INTO THE ACCESSORY CHARGING PORT IN THE CONSOLE. ACCORDING TO ACURA THIS IS " DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AT THE TIME, THE OPDS CONTROL UNIT, AND /OR …

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THE ODPS SENSOR FAILS IF, ACCORDING TO ACURA, SOMEONE PLACES A CELL PHONE, LAPTOP COMPUTER ETC. ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SENSOR MAY ALSO FAIL IF SOMEONE PLUGS SOMETHING INTO THE ACCESSORY CHARGING PORT IN THE CONSOLE. ACCORDING TO ACURA THIS IS " DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AT THE TIME, THE OPDS CONTROL UNIT, AND /OR OPDS MAY FAIL PREMATURELY." THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE SRS LIGHT TO BE ON AND WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS NO WARNING ABOUT DOING ANY OF THESE IS EVER MENTIONED BY ACURA. IF SOMEONE PUTS A LAPTOP OR CELL PHONE ON THE SEAT IT COULD CAUSE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY. REPAIRS ARE OVER $500 WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AT MINIMUM ACURA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PLACE A STICKER/ WARNING OF THIS CONDITION IN THEIR CARS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON ALL ACURA CARS AND COULD CAUSE A DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533094

117,178 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Air Bags

MY SRS LIGHT TURNED ON A FEW DAYS AGO, SO I WENT INTO MULLERS WOODFILED ACURA IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THEY CHARGED ME $130.00 AND TOLD ME THAT OPDS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $800 WITH A MANAGERS DISCOUNT. THIS OPDS UNIT HAD A MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY W…

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MY SRS LIGHT TURNED ON A FEW DAYS AGO, SO I WENT INTO MULLERS WOODFILED ACURA IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THEY CHARGED ME $130.00 AND TOLD ME THAT OPDS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $800 WITH A MANAGERS DISCOUNT. THIS OPDS UNIT HAD A MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH RAN FOR 10YEARS AND EXPIRED SOMETIME IN 2010/2011. NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BY MYSELF. I DID CALL ACURA/HONDA CLIENT RELATIONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP: [XXX] WHO OPENED UP A CASE #[XXX], DID ASSIST ME BY APOLOGIZING BUT SOMEHOW DID NOT EVEN OFFER ME A DISCOUNT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HONDA/ACURA FOR THIS WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE I DID NOT REPLACE THIS OPDS UNIT BECAUSE MY SRS LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON, AM I SUPPOSED TO PURPOSELY TURN IT ON BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TO GET THE OPDS UNIT REPLACED? I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE FOR EVERYONE THAT EVER OWNED A HONDA/ACURA MODEL THAT HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD GET BACK TO ME TO DIRECT ME TO RIGHT PERSON THAT COULD ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE AND/OR OPEN UP A CASE AGAINST HONDA/ACURA TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474296

206,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438968

114,000 miles · Oct 16, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT IN A 2001 ACURA CL 3.2 (GOING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MILES PER HOUR ON IMPACT). AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON HER VEHICLE, BUT DID ON THE OTHER DRIVER'S CAR. IMPACT WAS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. BOTH CARS WERE DEEMED "TOTALED" BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360757

17,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 ACURA CL. HE STATED THAT TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TEN TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 ACURA CL. HE STATED THAT TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TEN TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328866

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2007
Air BagsPower Train

2001 ACURA CL WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS (SLIPPING)**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT THE TIME WHEN A LETTER WAS RECEIVED REGARDING POSSIBLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH CERTAIN 2001-2001 ACURA'S, HOWEVER HE WAS EXPERIENCING SRS WIRING PROBLEMS IN DEC 2002. THE TRANSMISSION…

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2001 ACURA CL WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS (SLIPPING)**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT THE TIME WHEN A LETTER WAS RECEIVED REGARDING POSSIBLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH CERTAIN 2001-2001 ACURA'S, HOWEVER HE WAS EXPERIENCING SRS WIRING PROBLEMS IN DEC 2002. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DIDN'T BEGAN UNTIL DECEMBER 2003, WHICH RESULTED IN HAVING A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NEVER A MENTION OF ENGINE MOUNT PROBLEMS OR REPLACEMENT IN THE NOTICE THAT WAS RECEIVED IN 2002. 4 YEARS LATER THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE MORE PROBLEMS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, 11 DAYS LATER MORE PROBLEMS HAD SURFACED WITH THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AND UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS AND THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HE EXPERIENCED. THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO EXHIBIT A PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10179561

79,000 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Air Bags

TODAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. SO I CALLED MY ACURA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE MY AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WITH THAT LIGHT ON AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY O…

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TODAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. SO I CALLED MY ACURA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE MY AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WITH THAT LIGHT ON AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT WHICH I PAID EXTRA FOR. THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THAT EVEN IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT THEY STILL WOULD CHARGE ME AROUND $90 JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOKED AT IT. THEY SAID THE MANAGER CALLED CALIFORNIA AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO GOODWILL IT, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR WHICH IS $160 AND OUT OF MY SAFETY I CHOSE TO GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR IT, BUT DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SUCH AS AT WWW.ACURAZINE.COM AND OTHER ACURA OWNER SITES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138890

66,000 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Air Bags

ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH CONTROLS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG FOR MY VEHICLE. IT IS REFERRED TO AS THE OPDS SENSOR, THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE THE BRAIN OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE UTMOST CARE, AND THIS SENSOR KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING AND TURNING ON MY SRS LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THA…

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ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH CONTROLS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG FOR MY VEHICLE. IT IS REFERRED TO AS THE OPDS SENSOR, THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE THE BRAIN OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE UTMOST CARE, AND THIS SENSOR KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING AND TURNING ON MY SRS LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT WHEN THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON ALL MY AIRBAGS ARE SHUT OFF. THEY SAY THIS PART MALFUNCTIONS ALL THE TIME AND CAN HAPPEN JUST FROM A CELL PHONE NEAR THE SEAT OR LEANING OVER TO FAR IN THE SEAT. IF YOU READ ONLINE FORUMS FOR THIS, MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THEN I GO TO ACURA AND THEY TELL ME ITS $600 TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS WONT WORK UNLESS I SPEND THE MONEY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY ACURAS OVER THE PAST YEARS. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER AND KNOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE MINE, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT FILING A PROPER COMPLAINT. SINCERELY, WILLIAM BROWN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138655

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Air Bags

CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026721

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2002
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWO TIMES AND WAS REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CEMENT DIVIDER DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACES SEVERAL TIMES. THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED PULSATION IN THE FRONT END. THE …

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TRANSMISSION FAILED TWO TIMES AND WAS REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CEMENT DIVIDER DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACES SEVERAL TIMES. THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED PULSATION IN THE FRONT END. THE AIR BAG CASING POPPED OUT TWICE AND THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *YH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #568327

Official recalls

3

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

20V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2004

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02081 · Automatic Transmission Sudden Downshift

Opened Oct 28, 2002 · Closed Mar 5, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.