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

31,300 miles · Feb 4, 2003

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10005258

69,855 miles · Feb 4, 2003

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2001 ACURA CL TYPE-S WITH 69,855 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON WED JAN 29,2003 WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING GARAGE FROM THE COURT HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN FT. LAUDERDALE. I WAS ON THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR WANTED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR, BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED RESULTING IN MY RPMS TO REDLINE. THE CAR STARTED BUCKLING VIOLENTLY; LUCKLY I WASN'T GOING VERY FAST, BUT I DID SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE PARTLY DUE TO THE BUCKLING OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME ALBEIT VERY SLOW AND ONLY IN THIRD GEAR WITH MY HAZZARDS ON. HAD THE CAR TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER (RICK CASE ACURA) AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. I WILL BE SELLING THIS CAR BECAUSE I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. IMAGINE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10005252

18,356 miles · Jan 27, 2003

Power Train

WHEN I AM AT SPEED OF 40 AND ABOVE THE CAR HAS A TENDENCY TO DOWNSHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY, ALMOST CAUSING 2 ACCIDENTS THUS FAR. THEY CLAIM IT IS JUST "GRADE LOGIC'' I WOULD ARGUE THE OPPOSITE THOUGH.

NHTSA ODI #10003490

14,000 miles · Jan 21, 2003

Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION KEPT GOING OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. IT WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS OF FIXING A LESS SERIOUS (AND COSTLY) DIAGNOSIS THAT THE ACURA DEALER MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10003124

17,000 miles · Jan 19, 2003

Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUDDEN DOWN SHIFT.

NHTSA ODI #10002929

1,900 miles · Jan 16, 2003

Power TrainInjury

MY 2001 ACURA CL SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND I CAUSED A INJURY TO ME. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN THE COURSE OF THAT TRIP IT SUDDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED IN 1ST GEAR 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10002795

38,500 miles · Jan 15, 2003

Power Train

FAILED TRANSMISSION IN 2001 ACURA CL 3.2 AT 38500 MILES. WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND TRANSMISSION REVVED IN NEUTRAL AS THIS WAS HAPPENING, PUTTING ME IN A DANGEROUS POSITION AS I WAS DRIVING IN RUSH MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10002718

38,000 miles · Jan 15, 2003

Power Train

PURCHASED 2001 ACURAL 3.2CL S-TYPE WITH 32K MILES. AT 38K MILES, CAR BEGAN TO SLIP IN 3RD GEAR. TRANSMISSION WOULD COMPLETELY DISENGAGE IN 3RD, AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT IT TO ADJACENT GEAR TO RE-ENGAGE TRANSMISSION. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT WEEK, SLIPPING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR SUCH C…

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NHTSA ODI #10002716

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2003

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BLOWN AND REPLACED BY ACURA WITH A REFURBISHED UNIT. THIS ONE SO FAR IS WORKING PROPERTY. HOWEVER I HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO ACURA PREVIOUS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING HARD TIME SHIFTING TO REVERSE AND ENGAGE TO REVERSE WITH LOUD METALLIC SOUND AND HARD THUMP. DEALER TECH WERE HELPFUL AND TRIED TO CALL ACURA TECH LINE TO ASSIST ME IN RESOLVE THE MATTER, BUT THE TECH LINE CONTINUE TO DENY THE PROBLEM AND INSIST IT IS NORMAL FOR A TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE HARD. FINALLY WHEN THE TRANNY BLOWN AND I TOOK IT TO DEALER USING 2ND GEAR ON STREET. DEALER SAID THIS (A BLOWN TRANMISSION) IS THE EVIDENCE THEY NEED TO REPLACE IT. EVEN WITH A REFURBISHED ONE NOT A NEW ONE. ALSO I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 TIMES ON FREEWAY WHERE THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN REDUCING THE VEHICLE SPEED DRAMATICALLY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO VEHICLE BEHIMD ME

NHTSA ODI #10002650

38,500 miles · Jan 13, 2003

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI #10000991

Official recalls

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

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

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.