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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

What owners actually said

271 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2002
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN MORNING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND I NEARLY HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A STRETCH WHERE TRAFFIC WAS SOMEWHAT LIGHTER, REDUCING THE RISK OF BE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN MORNING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND I NEARLY HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A STRETCH WHERE TRAFFIC WAS SOMEWHAT LIGHTER, REDUCING THE RISK OF BEING REAR-ENDED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE FOR THE REMAINING MILE-OR-TWO OF MY COMMUTE. ONCE I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT ABOUT 4,500 - 5,000 RPM ALTHOUGH I WAS DOING ONLY 15 MPH. FINALLY, REVERSE WAS INOPERABLE ONCE I REACHED MY OFFICE PARK AND TRIED TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE. I CALLED ACURA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH DISPATCHED A FLATBED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ACURA OF BOSTON. EVENTUALLY, I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE RECEIVING A "NEW" TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT IS A REBUILT TRANSMISSION FROM ANOTHER FAILURE. I HAD NOTICED A STRANGE HUMMING NOISE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY UPON HAVING THE CAR RETURNED TO ME FROM THE DEALER. I SPOKE TO ACURA OF BOSTON AND SUNNYSIDE ACURA (NASHUA, NH), AND WAS TOLD NO NOISE COULD BE HEARD BY THE TECHS OR THE ADVISORS. THIS IS, APPARENTLY, VERY SIMILAR TO THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER ACURA CL OWNERS. AND, IT APPEARS THAT ACURA KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECTS/PROBLEMS, BUT IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT PUBLICLY BY ISSUING A RECALL. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED, AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THE SAME THING. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING FOR ANY CAR, NEVER MIND A CAR(MAKER) WITH THIS "REPUTATION" AND PRICE TAG. DT

NHTSA ODI #769455

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Power Train

THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ACURA TRANSMISSIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE FAILURES ARE SO RANDOM, THAT INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES ARE POSSIBLE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BUT HOPE NO ONE REAR END US OR THAT IT DOES NOT FAIL ON US WHILE WE A…

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THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ACURA TRANSMISSIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE FAILURES ARE SO RANDOM, THAT INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES ARE POSSIBLE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BUT HOPE NO ONE REAR END US OR THAT IT DOES NOT FAIL ON US WHILE WE ARE ON A HIGHWAY. WHICH COULD BECOME AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. ACURA NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN JUST OFFER US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DT

NHTSA ODI #769160

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Power Train

IT APPEARS FROM TALKING TO MANY DIFFERENT ACURA OWNERS, ACURA HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THE 5 SPEED IN THE 2001-2002 TL/CL SERIES. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THUS DRIVING SLOWLY. I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY TRAVE…

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IT APPEARS FROM TALKING TO MANY DIFFERENT ACURA OWNERS, ACURA HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THE 5 SPEED IN THE 2001-2002 TL/CL SERIES. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THUS DRIVING SLOWLY. I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS. I BELIEVE ACURA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU MR

NHTSA ODI #767952

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I-476 (PA), WHEN I SLOWED SLIGHTLY TO CHECK EXIT SIGN. UPON DECIDING TO PROCEED TO NEXT EXIT, ACCELERATED MIDLY FOM 60 TO 65. TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO, WHAT FELT LIKE, 1ST GEAR CAUSING VEHICLE TO PITCH FORWARD. THIS WAS SO SUDDEN, THAT IT THREW MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOS…

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I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I-476 (PA), WHEN I SLOWED SLIGHTLY TO CHECK EXIT SIGN. UPON DECIDING TO PROCEED TO NEXT EXIT, ACCELERATED MIDLY FOM 60 TO 65. TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO, WHAT FELT LIKE, 1ST GEAR CAUSING VEHICLE TO PITCH FORWARD. THIS WAS SO SUDDEN, THAT IT THREW MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME, THE ROAD BEEN WET, OR HAD I BEEN ON A CURVE, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. TRANSMISSION SHOWED SIGNS OF POOR SHIFTING BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ACURA. THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS VERY LUCKY, THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. MR

NHTSA ODI #767912

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY FROM 5TH TO 2ND CAUSING THE CAR TO ALMOST STOPS INSTANTLY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8019282

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT ACURA FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE OFFER OF SWITCHING OUT THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE LOSS TO CONSUMER. *JG

NHTSA ODI #567577

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2002
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #766796

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #766755

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 · Aug 28, 2002
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AND FAIL TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8017493

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.