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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

Visibility complaints

12 reports
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70,000 miles · Oct 16, 2008
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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245690

110,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
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 INDICATI…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240619

130,000 miles · Aug 28, 2008
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 SEE…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240125

84,500 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Visibility

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.…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230378

50,000 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringStructure

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 LIGH…

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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 ODI #10214431

18,000 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Visibility

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. THER…

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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. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10196498

55,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Visibility

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/GRE…

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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. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171994

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Visibility

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 ODI #567313

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Visibility

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8005954

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2001
Visibility

SIDE MIRRORS HAVE A BLIND SPOT ON THE LEFT. MIRRORS ARE POSITIONED ON THE POST SIDE OF DOOR. CONSUMER CAN'T SEE LEFT LANE IF TURNING NOR ANTHING THAT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000984

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.