IllustrationCONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V176000 REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE MECHANIC DID NOT INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE WHETHER TRANSMISSION WAS DISCOLORED OR NOT. MECHANIC REVISED THE OIL COOLER RETURN AND REPLACED IT. *AK
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
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
210–25K
4625–50K
3350–75K
2375–100K
30100–150K
24150K+
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 reportsRECALL (04V176000) PERFORMED, 50 MILES DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED VIOLENTLY DOWN SHIFTING IN TRAFFIC TO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AT SPEEDS OF 40 TO 60 MPH. ACURA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL. THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 40 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. *AK
TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO FAIL. A RECALL WAS HONORED. HOWEVER, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. *AK
I WAS SPEEDING UP APPROACHING 50 MPH. I WENT OVER A HILL AND SAW A YELLOW LIGHT. I SUDDENLY LIFTED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH TIME, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR (1500RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 5000RPM). THE NEXT ACCELERATION HAD A SLIPPING OF THE CLUTCH EFFECT. I HAD TO ACCELERATE GENTLY TO BE ABLE TO SPEED UP. …
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I WAS SPEEDING UP APPROACHING 50 MPH. I WENT OVER A HILL AND SAW A YELLOW LIGHT. I SUDDENLY LIFTED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH TIME, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR (1500RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 5000RPM). THE NEXT ACCELERATION HAD A SLIPPING OF THE CLUTCH EFFECT. I HAD TO ACCELERATE GENTLY TO BE ABLE TO SPEED UP. I ARRIVED HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE IDLE KEPT "WANTING" TO DIE, CAME CLOSE A FEW TIMES, BUT MANAGED TO KEEP RUNNING. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 5 DAYS LATER WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING. I DID NOT WITNESS THE SLIPPING CLUTCH EFFECT AFTER THE SECOND TIME I FELT SPONTANEOUS DOWNSHIFTING. THEY BOTH HAPPENED UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. SMALL SHOCKS ARE FELT SOMETIMES WHEN TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. WAS INFORMED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO REPORT PROBLEM TO ACURA. A FEW MONTHS EARLIER I SPOKE TO ACURA AT WHICH TIME THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS A PART NEEDED TO BE CHANGED (RECALLED) IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME AFTER THE PART CAME IN. I NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP. THE REASON I AM FOLLOWING UP THIS NOW BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO OR THAT I MAY BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MAY SUDDENLY GO DEAD. *JB
I WAS SPEEDING UP APPROACHING 50 MPH. I WENT OVER A HILL AND SAW A YELLOW LIGHT. I SUDDENLY LIFTED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH TIME, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR (1500RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 5000RPM). THE NEXT ACCELERATION HAD A SLIPPING OF THE CLUTCH EFFECT. I HAD TO ACCELERATE GENTLY TO BE ABLE TO SPEED UP. …
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I WAS SPEEDING UP APPROACHING 50 MPH. I WENT OVER A HILL AND SAW A YELLOW LIGHT. I SUDDENLY LIFTED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH TIME, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR (1500RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 5000RPM). THE NEXT ACCELERATION HAD A SLIPPING OF THE CLUTCH EFFECT. I HAD TO ACCELERATE GENTLY TO BE ABLE TO SPEED UP. I ARRIVED HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE IDLE KEPT "WANTING" TO DIE, CAME CLOSE A FEW TIMES, BUT MANAGED TO KEEP RUNNING. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 5 DAYS LATER WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING. I DID NOT WITNESS THE SLIPPING CLUTCH EFFECT AFTER THE SECOND TIME I FELT SPONTANEOUS DOWNSHIFTING. THEY BOTH HAPPENED UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. SMALL SHOCKS ARE FELT SOMETIMES WHEN TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. WAS INFORMED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO REPORT PROBLEM TO ACURA. A FEW MONTHS EARLIER I SPOKE TO ACURA AT WHICH TIME THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS A PART NEEDED TO BE CHANGED (RECALLED) IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME AFTER THE PART CAME IN. I NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP. THE REASON I AM FOLLOWING UP THIS NOW BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO OR THAT I MAY BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MAY SUDDENLY GO DEAD. *JB
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A WINDING/BUZZING NOISE BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES.*AK
I OWED 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S. LAST YEAR THE TRANSMISION WHEN OUT ON ME. WHILE I WAS ON THE FREE WAY. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS.ALL THE SUDDEN THE VEHICAL SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH. ON THE FREEWAY I ALL MOST LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO THE ACCIDENT.I WHEN TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE.*AK
SUDDEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB
Official recalls
320V026000 · 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
1PE02081 · 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.