TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 3 AND 4. DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME, HOWEVER; MANY, MANY FORUMS ARE FULL OF 2001 ACURA TL'S HAVING TRANSMISSION SOLENOID ISSUES. WE BOUGHT CAR USED (163,000), MANY CARS OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE 2000'S.
2001 Acura Tl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Tl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tl 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
84 reports with mileage · 65 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 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
103 reportsFEW WAYS AGO BUY THIS CAR HAS ONLY 84,300 MILES ....WHILE DRIVING TODAY SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES AND CAR SLOW DOWN AND MAKING WEARED SOUNDS... GO TO ADVANCE AUTO PART TO SCAN THE MALFUNCTION SIGN AND AFTER SCANNING NO CODES COME BUT SHOWING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SO DON'T KNOW WHERE AND HOW MUCH ITS GOING TO COST TO FIX…
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FEW WAYS AGO BUY THIS CAR HAS ONLY 84,300 MILES ....WHILE DRIVING TODAY SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES AND CAR SLOW DOWN AND MAKING WEARED SOUNDS... GO TO ADVANCE AUTO PART TO SCAN THE MALFUNCTION SIGN AND AFTER SCANNING NO CODES COME BUT SHOWING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SO DON'T KNOW WHERE AND HOW MUCH ITS GOING TO COST TO FIX OR REPLACE TRANSMISSION. IF ANYONE HELP ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I LIVE IN MA ( WESTERN MA)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V17…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001, THE TRANNY WAS NOT SHIFTING. SCARED MY WIFE SILLY. HAD LESS THAN 50000 MILES AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO ACURA FOR THIS ISSUE.THEY INSTALLED SOME KIND OF COOLER DEVICE RELATED TO TRANNY ISSUE. $3000 LATER FOR A TRANNY REPAIR AT A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND ACURA REFUSED TO FOOT THE BILL. NO MORE …
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2001, THE TRANNY WAS NOT SHIFTING. SCARED MY WIFE SILLY. HAD LESS THAN 50000 MILES AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO ACURA FOR THIS ISSUE.THEY INSTALLED SOME KIND OF COOLER DEVICE RELATED TO TRANNY ISSUE. $3000 LATER FOR A TRANNY REPAIR AT A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND ACURA REFUSED TO FOOT THE BILL. NO MORE ACURAS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS- IN THE POCKET BOOK! *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERKED VIOLENTLY AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TCS AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERKED VIOLENTLY AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TCS AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE SECONDARY GEAR DID NOT EXHIBIT DISCOLORATION AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS O 200,000.
I LIVE IN TOLEDO OHIO BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MICHIGAN WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN MY CARS WHEELS LOCKED UP SCARED ME TOO DEATH JERKED BACK AND FORTH IN GEAR CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON TCS LITE CAME ON AND D5 LITE WAS BLINKING THIS CAR ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT CLOSES ITS EYES TOO ALL THESE COMPLAINTS SOMEONE …
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I LIVE IN TOLEDO OHIO BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MICHIGAN WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN MY CARS WHEELS LOCKED UP SCARED ME TOO DEATH JERKED BACK AND FORTH IN GEAR CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON TCS LITE CAME ON AND D5 LITE WAS BLINKING THIS CAR ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT CLOSES ITS EYES TOO ALL THESE COMPLAINTS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT WE NEED TO SUE ACURA FOR CRAP TRANSMISSIONS I MEAN COME ON AND THEN FOR THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HARD WORKING AMERICANS WHO TRUST HONDA IS NOT RITE AT ALL SOMEONE IS GETTING PAID OFF IS THE ONLY REASON THIS ISSUE HASNT BEEN RESOLVED AND FOR THE DEALER NOT TO DO ANYTHING BUT WANT TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER JUNK GARBAGE TRANSMISSION AND CHARGE YOU 3500 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN IS RIDICULOUS WE ALL NEED TO FILE A LAWSUIT FOR THIS AND THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THE TRANSMISSIONS TO MAKE THEM BETTER AND FOR THE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO TURN A BLIND EYE FOR A CAR THAT COULD LOCK UP AND KILL SOMEONE AND NOT FINE OR MAKE ACURA EAT THE COST FOR THERE SCREW UP SHAME ON YOU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START NORMALLY BUT AS THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HOTTER, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START NORMALLY BUT AS THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HOTTER, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH THE REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. *TR
I WAS EXACTLY HALFWAY THROUGH A 350 MILE ROAD TRIP, DRIVING UPHILL ALONG A BUSY INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL BEGAN LOSING SPEED DESPITE CONTINUED THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE RPM'S WERE CLIMBING AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE IN NEUTRAL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO RIGHT SHOULDER A…
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I WAS EXACTLY HALFWAY THROUGH A 350 MILE ROAD TRIP, DRIVING UPHILL ALONG A BUSY INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL BEGAN LOSING SPEED DESPITE CONTINUED THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE RPM'S WERE CLIMBING AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE IN NEUTRAL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO RIGHT SHOULDER AND COME TO A SAFE STOP. MY TRANSMISSION SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE REVERSE AND ALL DRIVE GEARS BEHAVED AS NEUTRAL. I WAS LEFT WITH ONLY PARK AND NEUTRAL. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IT WAS BLACK AND SMOKING. JUST 3 HOURS EARLIER WHEN I CHECKED ALL MY FLUIDS BEFORE LEAVING, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS THE NORMAL SHINY RED. I WAS GIVEN NO WARNING SIGNS, NO SYMPTOMS OF SHIFTING PROBLEMS, AND NO CONSOLE INDICATION THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS RUNNING HOTTER THAN NORMAL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. WHY DIDN'T ACURA FIX THIS PROBLEM? MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 103,000 MI; THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
I SPOKE TO A GENTLEMAN FROM THE NHTSA ON 2/6/13 WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE 2001 ACURA TL TRANSMISSION, 2ND TO 3RD GEAR SLIPPAGE THAT CAN RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AND CRASH, IS STILL VALID THROUGH APRIL OF 2014, WITH NO MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS AND IS TO BE REPLACED AT THE FULL COST OF THE MANUFACTURER (NH…
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I SPOKE TO A GENTLEMAN FROM THE NHTSA ON 2/6/13 WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE 2001 ACURA TL TRANSMISSION, 2ND TO 3RD GEAR SLIPPAGE THAT CAN RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AND CRASH, IS STILL VALID THROUGH APRIL OF 2014, WITH NO MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS AND IS TO BE REPLACED AT THE FULL COST OF THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA RECALL I.D. 04V176, ACURA RECALL I.D. P39). IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION WITH AN ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE ON 2/19/13, IN HOPES OF HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE GENTLEMAN WHO I SPOKE WITH FROM THE NHTSA WAS INCORRECT IN THE INFORMATION HE PROVIDED AND THAT THE RECALL HAS ALREADY EXPIRED. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO PLEASE CONTACT MYSELF AND ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS, IN WRITING, EXPLAINING THAT THE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE 2001 ACURA TL TRANSMISSION IS STILL VALID SO THAT I MAY TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS IN HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ASAP AND AVOID HAVING A MAJOR INCIDENT AS I FEAR FOR MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. *TR
Official recalls
320V027000 · 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.
01V166002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Aug 14, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WITH INCORRECT PARTS: 2002 ACURA 3.2TL SEDANS WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED PER RECALL 01V-166001; CERTAIN 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS; AND CERTAIN 2000-2002 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS. REPAIRS WERE MADE FROM MARCH 9 THROUGH JULY 27, 2001. SOME OF THE NONCOMPLIANT BUCKLES WERE MISLABELED AND REDISTRIBUTED TO ACURA DEALERS TO BE USED AS RECALL REPAIR PARTS. HONDA ALSO DETERMINED THAT INCORRECT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE USED FOR SOME PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS OF 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES, AND WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS OF 2000-2002 3.2TL VEHICLES. THESE SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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
1PE02081 · 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.
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