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
What owners actually said
271 reports
26,000 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Power Train
I AM AN OWNER OF 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S. VIN NUMBER [XXX], ODOMETER 26,000 MILES. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE TODAY. AT FIRST CAR SUDDENLY CHANGED THE GEAR FROM 5TH TO POSSIBLY 1ST AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW TIMES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO CLOSE VEHICLES BEHIND ME. THEN AT THE END OF 15 MILE TRIP FROM H…
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I AM AN OWNER OF 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S. VIN NUMBER [XXX], ODOMETER 26,000 MILES. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE TODAY. AT FIRST CAR SUDDENLY CHANGED THE GEAR FROM 5TH TO POSSIBLY 1ST AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW TIMES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO CLOSE VEHICLES BEHIND ME. THEN AT THE END OF 15 MILE TRIP FROM HOME CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP AND I COULD NOT EVEN MOVE FROM THE STOP. I HAD HARD TIME GETTING CAR HOME, IT SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AND STAYED IN FIRST GEAR. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT TRANSMISSION IS A MECHANICAL DEVICE AND CAN FAIL, THIS PARTICULAR BEHAVIOR OF SUDDEN DOWN SHIFT AT THE HIGH SPEEDS ARE NOT SAFE AND CAN CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENT. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10042991
33,600 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED, AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042587
57,000 miles · Oct 2, 2003
Power Train
MY 2001 ACURA CL S TYPE HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WOULD SUDDENLY JERK WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. WHEN IT GOES INTO 3RD GEAR THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE D5 LIGHT BLINKS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041133
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND JERK, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040725
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIN FAILED TO UPSHIFT PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING.THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD AS IF DOWN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN. WOULD SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR WITH RPMS RUNNING VERY HIGH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037716
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY. WOULD JERK FORWARD AS IF IT WAS DOWN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. ALSO, RPMS WOULD RUN VERY HIGH. RECENTLY WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT IN TO REVERSE. FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ON. THE DRIVE INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING. TRACTION LIGHT HAD CAME O…
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY. WOULD JERK FORWARD AS IF IT WAS DOWN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. ALSO, RPMS WOULD RUN VERY HIGH. RECENTLY WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT IN TO REVERSE. FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ON. THE DRIVE INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING. TRACTION LIGHT HAD CAME ON WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND STAYED ON. PROBLEM HAD STARTED ON 7/7/03. HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON 7/11, AND HAD PICKED UP VEHICLE ON 7/18. MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STILL EXISTS.*AK *TS
NHTSA ODI #10030000
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2003
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW ABRUPTLY AND SWERVE. THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME (NOT OT MENTION THE PAIN OF THE SEATBELT CUTTING INTO MY NECK). GOOD THING THE SEATBELT DID WOULD OR I…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW ABRUPTLY AND SWERVE. THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME (NOT OT MENTION THE PAIN OF THE SEATBELT CUTTING INTO MY NECK). GOOD THING THE SEATBELT DID WOULD OR I COULD HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES SLAMMING INTO THE STEARING WHEEL OR WINDSHIELD. THE ACURA IS ON IT'S SECOND TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT, THIS NEXT ONE WILL BE THE 3RD. I WAS TOLD THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NONE OF THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS ARE "NEW". THEY ARE ALL "REMANUFACTURED" WITH A 36,00 MILE OR 3 YR WARRANTY. OBVIOUSLY WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS NOT BEING FIXED. THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. WHY DOESN'T ACURA FIX THE PROBLEM. PERHAPS A LAWSUIT WOULD INSPIRE THEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HOPEFULLY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030652
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO ANY GEAR VEHICLE RESPONSE LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN IN 3RD GEAR RPMS REV UP VERY HIGH. TOOK TO DEALER, AND HE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029469
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026721
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003
Power Train
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
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.
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.
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.
2001 Acura Cl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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