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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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Cl years →

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

Power Train complaints

206 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 25, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN YEARS LATER UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11097875

93,000 miles · Jun 25, 2017
Power TrainSuspension

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 ODI #11001197

86,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS THROUGH GEARS, SHIFTS HARD INTO PARK, AND D5 WILL BLINK AND EVERYTHING GOES BLACK. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND ONLY WORKS PROPERLY WHEN IT WANTS TO. WHEN IT BEGINS TO SLIP THE CAR IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10994206

136,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10928497

133,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Air BagsPower Train

THIS CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE SRS SYSTEM, WHICH HAS RENDERED IT INOPERABLE. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE DESIGN ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BUCKLE AND SEAT SENSOR THAT HAVE BEEN THERE ALL ALONG. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OWNER COMPLAINTS HERE AND ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. THIS APPARENTLY MAKES THE ENTIRE SRS SYSTEM INOPERABLE, INCLUDIN…

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THIS CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE SRS SYSTEM, WHICH HAS RENDERED IT INOPERABLE. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE DESIGN ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BUCKLE AND SEAT SENSOR THAT HAVE BEEN THERE ALL ALONG. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OWNER COMPLAINTS HERE AND ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. THIS APPARENTLY MAKES THE ENTIRE SRS SYSTEM INOPERABLE, INCLUDING THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS ALONG WITH THE WELL DOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION ISSUES MAKE THIS A "ROLLING COFFIN"-- I AM NOT SURE WHY HONDA IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ITS OWNERS. I GUESS IT WOULD TAKE MAJOR INJURIES AND LAWSUITS AND PUBLICITY TO GET SOME ACTION.

NHTSA ODI #10824082

223,500 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Power Train

CONTACTED DUNCAN ACURA IN ROANOKE ,VA. TRANSMISSION DROPS SPEED FROM 70MPH TO 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED WHEN RECALL CAME OUT BUT CAR HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT NOW 223,000. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DUNCAN WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR SCHEDULE TO GET TRANSMISSION INSPECTED AFTER I UNDERSTOO…

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CONTACTED DUNCAN ACURA IN ROANOKE ,VA. TRANSMISSION DROPS SPEED FROM 70MPH TO 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED WHEN RECALL CAME OUT BUT CAR HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT NOW 223,000. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DUNCAN WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR SCHEDULE TO GET TRANSMISSION INSPECTED AFTER I UNDERSTOOD THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION. CONTACTED ACURA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY ISSUED A CLAIM & CLAIM REP TO HELP OUT. NEVER WILL TRUST DUNCAN ACURA WITH A SAFETY ISSUE. JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS ISSUE WAS THE SAME AS THE EARLIER RECALL WAS FOR ON THESE CARS. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND ACURA DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE THE TIME TO INSPECT IT. STILL WAITING ON RESPONSE FROM ACURA BEEN 4 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667177

223,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WOULD DROP SPEED FROM 70 MPS TO 10 MPS WITHOUT WARNING IN A MATTER OF SECONDS ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL & CRASH WITH CARS FOLLOWING ON HIGHWAY. AS DESCRIBED IN ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 04-020. CAR WAS FITTED WITH REPAIR PART BUT DID NOT PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING AGAIN OVER TIME &…

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TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WOULD DROP SPEED FROM 70 MPS TO 10 MPS WITHOUT WARNING IN A MATTER OF SECONDS ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL & CRASH WITH CARS FOLLOWING ON HIGHWAY. AS DESCRIBED IN ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 04-020. CAR WAS FITTED WITH REPAIR PART BUT DID NOT PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING AGAIN OVER TIME & MILES FROM DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664597

81,339 miles · May 25, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAD TO PAY A GREAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX MY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593938

32,437 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Power Train

SUMMARY: I OWN A 2001 ACURA CL WITH 32,437 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED HARD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR JERKILY, AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO…

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SUMMARY: I OWN A 2001 ACURA CL WITH 32,437 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED HARD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR JERKILY, AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I INQUIRED ABOUT ANY RECALLS REGARDING TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) . I DIDNT REMEMBER. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE FAILURE WAS EITHER NOT CORRECTED PROPERLY, OR THAT ACURA CORPORATION FAILED TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THIS SERIOUS AND RECURRING ISSUE. MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT ONCE A WEEK SINCE PURCHASE AND A FEW TIMES FOR VACATION. GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE AND REGULAR MAINTAINENCE I FEEL THIS $4,511.39 REPAIR ISSUE IS ONE I CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE. IT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST INCLUDED A LIFETIME WARRANTY, INSTEAD OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE OR IS THIS A FORUM SIMPLY FOR COMPLAINTS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583685

141,000 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Power Train

I TOOK MY CAR TO NALLEY ACURA 1355 COBB PKWY. SOUTH MARIETTA GEORGIA 30060 I WAS TOLD THAT 2 JETTERS WAS PUT INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY TOOK A PICTURE AND SENT IT TOO THE MANUFACTURER. I ASKED FOR A RECORD OF THE MAINTENANCE I NEVER GOT ONE [XXX] THE SERVICE TECH. SAID THAT I WOULD BE MAILED ONE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PICTUR…

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I TOOK MY CAR TO NALLEY ACURA 1355 COBB PKWY. SOUTH MARIETTA GEORGIA 30060 I WAS TOLD THAT 2 JETTERS WAS PUT INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY TOOK A PICTURE AND SENT IT TOO THE MANUFACTURER. I ASKED FOR A RECORD OF THE MAINTENANCE I NEVER GOT ONE [XXX] THE SERVICE TECH. SAID THAT I WOULD BE MAILED ONE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PICTURE THAT WAS SENT TO ME WAS OF MY TRANSMISSION, CAUSE IT TOOK DAYS FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH THIS PICTURE AND I DID NOT SEE MY NAME BY IT OR MY VIN NUMBER. THE INFO THE COMPANY SENT ME WAS OUT OF A BOOK THAT WAS SHOWING ME A DIAGRAM OF A TRANSMISSION. I STOOD THERE FOR 4 HOURS AND ALL THAT WAS DONE WAS MY HOOD WAS RAISED AN NO ONE HARDLY TOUCH MY CAR. IT WAS NEVER PUT UPON A JACK OR RAISED TO A LEVEL WHERE YOU COULD GET A GOOD LOOK A THE TRANSMISSION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564427

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.