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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
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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

What owners actually said

271 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2004
Power Train

BOUGHT CAR IN 11/2002, THOUGHT I HAD BOUGHT A RELIABLE CAR AND ALL I HAVE HAD IS TROUBLE, FIRST THE CAR HAD A TICKING NOISE IN MOTOR AND HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BROUGHT IT IN 2WKS AFTER BOUGHT CAR. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADJUSTED THE VALVES, THAT WAS 1/2003,ALSO WE HAD NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH TRANNY AT THAT TIME ALSO. …

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BOUGHT CAR IN 11/2002, THOUGHT I HAD BOUGHT A RELIABLE CAR AND ALL I HAVE HAD IS TROUBLE, FIRST THE CAR HAD A TICKING NOISE IN MOTOR AND HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BROUGHT IT IN 2WKS AFTER BOUGHT CAR. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADJUSTED THE VALVES, THAT WAS 1/2003,ALSO WE HAD NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH TRANNY AT THAT TIME ALSO. BROUGHT CAR IN 4/2003, THEN BROUGHT CAR IN 8/2003 BECAUSE TRANNY WAS STILL DOWNSHIFTING OR NOT SHIFTING AT ALL BESIDES THE TICKING OF THE MOTOR. WE BROUGHT CAR IN SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME WE COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANNY AND TICKING OF MOTOR THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DEPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIX THE MOTOR. FINALLY IN SEPT 2003 THEY FIXED THE VALVES , BUT NOT TRANNY. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT WHEN U GO UP AND INCLINE THE CAR WILL BE GOING ONLY 25 MPH AND CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY, WHEN I DRIVE CAR ON HIGHWAY SHE SHAKES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, ALSO IN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR, THE CAR HAS EVEN STALLED ON ME SO NOW WHAT? WE'VE ASKED DEALERSHIP SO MANY TIMES TO FIX PROBLEMS BUT THEY HAVE THERE MECHANIC DRIVE IT AND HE SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH TRANNY OR ENGINE AND COMPUTERS IN CAR ARE FINE. ONE DAY MY WIFE AND I COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT, BESIDES OTHER PEOPLE WHO WILL BE NEAR US. WE EVEN CALLED UP HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA, THEY ASSIGNED US A PROJECT MANAGER, HE SAID HE HASN'T HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, BUT WE CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP A BIT FURTHER FROM US AND THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANNY AND VALVES BESIDES THE BRAKES TOO. SO WHO IS LYING TO WHOM??? ALL I WANT IS MY CAR FIXED. I KNOW THEY AREN'T HONEST WITH PAPERWORK, THEY USE PREVIOUS PAPERWORK OR NEVER GIVE US THE PAPERWORK, WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR INTO THE SHOP OVER 8 TIMES SINCE 11/2002, ITS A 2001, MY CHEVY IS BETTER THEN THIS AND ITS NOW 11YRS OLD, GO FIGURE! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IN 2002, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10066021

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Power Train

SINCE THE CONSUMER LIVES OUTSIDE THE USA, ACURA USA REFUSED TO PROVIDE A NEW TRANSMISSION. *PH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AMERICAN HONDA ADMITTED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF IT'S CL AND TL SERIES MAY HAVE PROBLEMS, THEREFORE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS OR 100000 MILE, WHICHEVER …

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SINCE THE CONSUMER LIVES OUTSIDE THE USA, ACURA USA REFUSED TO PROVIDE A NEW TRANSMISSION. *PH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AMERICAN HONDA ADMITTED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF IT'S CL AND TL SERIES MAY HAVE PROBLEMS, THEREFORE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS OR 100000 MILE, WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE USA THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10067006

51,000 miles · Mar 29, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION PRODUCED A CLANKING NOISE. THE PART WAS REPLACED TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10065098

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2004
Power TrainCrashInjury

I HAVE HAD SURGERY FUSING 7 VERTEBRAE IN MY NECK AND BACK. THIS WAS A RESULT OF A SUDDEN AND SEVERE DOWN SHIFT OF MY ACURA CL 3.2 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10063650

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GEARS BEGAN TO "SLIP", PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD, SEEMINGLY DURING UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS IF IT WAS SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT GEAR, AND AS IT WAS ENGAGING IT, WOULD SLIP. THE ENGINE WOULD THEN REV FREELY. AFTER COMPLETELY LETTING IT REV DOWN TO IDLE, GEAR WOULD REENGAGE S…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GEARS BEGAN TO "SLIP", PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD, SEEMINGLY DURING UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS IF IT WAS SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT GEAR, AND AS IT WAS ENGAGING IT, WOULD SLIP. THE ENGINE WOULD THEN REV FREELY. AFTER COMPLETELY LETTING IT REV DOWN TO IDLE, GEAR WOULD REENGAGE SOME OF THE TIME. OTHER TIMES HAD TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET MOVING AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10061966

91,400 miles · Mar 11, 2004
EquipmentPower Train

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY ACURA CL FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD IT "REPLACED" AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE @49K MILES THAT NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR GOOD DRIVING SKILLS. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL @ 91000 MILES AFTER THE DEALER "ENHANCED THE FIX" WITH A NEW PCM @ 88000 MILE…

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MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY ACURA CL FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD IT "REPLACED" AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE @49K MILES THAT NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR GOOD DRIVING SKILLS. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL @ 91000 MILES AFTER THE DEALER "ENHANCED THE FIX" WITH A NEW PCM @ 88000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10061912

51,501 miles · Feb 23, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ERRATIC SHIFTING, FLARE AT UPSHIFTS, IT SHIFTS SUDDENLY FROM 5TH TO 2ND GEAR, CASUING EXTREME DECELERATION AT HIGH SPEED. CAUSING VEHICLE ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST INTO AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058727

37,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA NEW IN JULY OF 2000. OVER ITS LIFE TIME OF THREE YEARS & 37K MILES ITS HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON FOUR TIMES. *BREAK PADS REPLACE FOUR TIMES *ROTORS MACHINED DOWN TWICE *ROTORS REPLACED TWICE BASICALLY DURING NORMAL RAPID BRAKING THE CL'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES RAPIDLY. ACURA HAD STOOD BEHIND TH…

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I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA NEW IN JULY OF 2000. OVER ITS LIFE TIME OF THREE YEARS & 37K MILES ITS HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON FOUR TIMES. *BREAK PADS REPLACE FOUR TIMES *ROTORS MACHINED DOWN TWICE *ROTORS REPLACED TWICE BASICALLY DURING NORMAL RAPID BRAKING THE CL'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES RAPIDLY. ACURA HAD STOOD BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PADS AT NO CHARGE. ONE MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM EARLY ON, IS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY COULD STOP THE CAR. I KNOW UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED I WAS DRIVING A TOTALLY UNSAFE CAR THAT COULD NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD. EVEN NOW AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKES SO MANY TIMES IF DO RAPID BRAKING THE WHEEL WILL SHAKE. I FEEL THE CL'S BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR THE SIZE, WEIGHT AND HORSEPOWER OF THE AUTOMOBILE. IF THE BRAKES WERE ENGINEERED CORRECTLY, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT PADS AND ROTORS WOULD HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS, I OWN A 95 ACURA INTEGRA & A 94 NISSAN PATHFINDER. NO MATTER HOW I DRIVE THESE CARS OR ANY OTHER CAR, THE WHEEL NEVER SHAKES DURING ANY BRAKING. MY 95 ACURA INTEGRA HAS 110K MILES AND THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO THE FACT THEY WERE WORN OUT. THE ROTORS HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH MY PROBLEMS WITH MY ACURA CL. IF I CAN BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL OR TELEPHONE. ERIC CORREA

NHTSA ODI #10070688

25,560 miles · Jan 14, 2004
Power Train

ACURA CL TYPE S FIVE SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 25,560 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053231

14,000 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Power Train

UPON NORMAL ACCELERATION TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE EFFECT WAS A SERIOUS SKID AND INSIDE THE CAR IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT A BRICK WALL. IF I HAD NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR AT THIS POINT WAS 1 YEAR OLD WITH A…

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UPON NORMAL ACCELERATION TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE EFFECT WAS A SERIOUS SKID AND INSIDE THE CAR IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT A BRICK WALL. IF I HAD NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR AT THIS POINT WAS 1 YEAR OLD WITH ABOUT 14,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE NEW TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND SHIFTED INAPPROPRIATELY AND WAS ALSO REPLACED ON NOV. 6, 2003. THIS TRASMISSION IS NOT MUCH BETTER. THERE HAS BEEN THREE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE CAR AND I AM FED UP. THIS IS MY THIRD NEW ACURA SINCE 1997 AND I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER TWO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052622

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.