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
98,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Power Train
PARKED CAR. MOVED TRANSMISSION LEVER TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PARK (PUSH STRAIGHT UP). STARTED TO SWING OUT OF CAR PUTTING WEIGHT ON OUTSIDE FOOT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED - IT CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY GEAR POSITION JUST LIKE THE 2001 HONDA ACCORD RECALL SAYS. THE ACURA OF THE SAME YEAR NEVER H…
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PARKED CAR. MOVED TRANSMISSION LEVER TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PARK (PUSH STRAIGHT UP). STARTED TO SWING OUT OF CAR PUTTING WEIGHT ON OUTSIDE FOOT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED - IT CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY GEAR POSITION JUST LIKE THE 2001 HONDA ACCORD RECALL SAYS. THE ACURA OF THE SAME YEAR NEVER HAD THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART NUMBERS. CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP CAR USING FOOT AND HAND PRESSURE RESULTING IN SLIGHT SPRAIN TO WRIST REQUIRING NO ADDITIONAL CARE. THIS IS A TROUBLING SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS ACTUALLY RECALLED FOR HONDA BRAND VEHICLES ONLY IGNORING ACURA BRAND DEFECTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494393
117,178 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Air Bags
MY SRS LIGHT TURNED ON A FEW DAYS AGO, SO I WENT INTO MULLERS WOODFILED ACURA IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THEY CHARGED ME $130.00 AND TOLD ME THAT OPDS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $800 WITH A MANAGERS DISCOUNT. THIS OPDS UNIT HAD A MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY W…
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MY SRS LIGHT TURNED ON A FEW DAYS AGO, SO I WENT INTO MULLERS WOODFILED ACURA IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THEY CHARGED ME $130.00 AND TOLD ME THAT OPDS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $800 WITH A MANAGERS DISCOUNT. THIS OPDS UNIT HAD A MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH RAN FOR 10YEARS AND EXPIRED SOMETIME IN 2010/2011. NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BY MYSELF. I DID CALL ACURA/HONDA CLIENT RELATIONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP: [XXX] WHO OPENED UP A CASE #[XXX], DID ASSIST ME BY APOLOGIZING BUT SOMEHOW DID NOT EVEN OFFER ME A DISCOUNT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HONDA/ACURA FOR THIS WARRANTY ISSUE BECAUSE I DID NOT REPLACE THIS OPDS UNIT BECAUSE MY SRS LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON, AM I SUPPOSED TO PURPOSELY TURN IT ON BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TO GET THE OPDS UNIT REPLACED? I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE FOR EVERYONE THAT EVER OWNED A HONDA/ACURA MODEL THAT HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD GET BACK TO ME TO DIRECT ME TO RIGHT PERSON THAT COULD ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE AND/OR OPEN UP A CASE AGAINST HONDA/ACURA TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474296
170,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Power TrainFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 85,000 MILES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,458.
NHTSA ODI #10465083
86,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. "LOST" ACCELERATOR PEDAL. COASTED TO SHOULDER, STOPPED CAR. FOUND THAT PEDAL HAD DROPPED TO FLOOR AND CONNECTOR END OF CABLE WAS HANGING ABOVE PEDAL AREA. ALSO FOUND THAT THE CABLE CONNECTING TO ENGINE JUST AT EDGE OF COVER/HOUSING WAS MISSING. CAR WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR F…
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WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. "LOST" ACCELERATOR PEDAL. COASTED TO SHOULDER, STOPPED CAR. FOUND THAT PEDAL HAD DROPPED TO FLOOR AND CONNECTOR END OF CABLE WAS HANGING ABOVE PEDAL AREA. ALSO FOUND THAT THE CABLE CONNECTING TO ENGINE JUST AT EDGE OF COVER/HOUSING WAS MISSING. CAR WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. ACURA REPAIR PART WAS OBTAINED FROM NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND INSTALLED. CABLE SHOWED SIGNS OF FRAYING AT POINT WHERE IT BROKE. TECHNICIAN SURMISED THAT IT HAD FATIGUED AND THAT THE BREAK WAS INSIDE THE CABLE HOUSING. CAR HAD BEEN GIVEN A COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE AND AN ACURA MULTIPOINT INSPECTION IN MARCH 2011. MOST RECENT MAINTENANCE WAS AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTIPOINT INSPECTION ON 10/22/11. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439019
206,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.
NHTSA ODI #10438968
170,000 miles · Nov 24, 2011
Power Train
IT'S BEEN SLIPPING...BUT IT NEVER BOTHERED ME UNTIL NOW AND IT'S SUPER BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437214
156,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Power TrainInjury
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND THE FAILED AND DOWN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT ON FREEWAY. I DID GET HURT FROM THE SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436051
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2011
Power Train
2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED ACURA, HE WAS INFORMED THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON OR ABOUT APRIL 12, 2004. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS NO RECORD OF THE TRA…
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2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED ACURA, HE WAS INFORMED THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON OR ABOUT APRIL 12, 2004. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS NO RECORD OF THE TRANSMISSION BEING REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 29,2004 BECAUSE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE SERVICE REPORT READ NO PROBLEM FOUND. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10435735
64,267 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR INTO DRIVE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DECELERATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433896
100,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE AND CURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 CL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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