IllustrationTHIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH PARENT'S 2002 ACURA TL TYPE S AND THEIR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 22000 MILES (LAST WEEK); ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS ONLINE - SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEM, SAME GEAR, ETC.; THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND PEOPLE COULD EASILY BE INJURED OR KILLED. *AK
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
50–25K
2325–50K
1150–75K
1375–100K
21100–150K
11150K+
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.
8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
Power Train complaints
103 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION STARTED SIEZING UP. IT WILL NOT SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING UP. IT WOULD EVENTUALLY JERK BADLY AND SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. DEALER SAYS THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 34000 MILES AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A RASH OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. …
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SIEZING UP. IT WILL NOT SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING UP. IT WOULD EVENTUALLY JERK BADLY AND SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. DEALER SAYS THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 34000 MILES AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A RASH OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN ANOTHER 1.5 YEARS? I WAS THINKING OF BUYING A ACURA MDX. I HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS NOW.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I WAS PASSING A VEHICLE IN MY 3.2TL WHEN SUDDENLY THE WHEELS SEEMED TO HAVE LOCKED AND MY CAR CAME ALMOST TO A SCREECHING HALT. THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME COULD HAVE EASILY REAR-ENDED ME AND CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION PILE-UP. LUCKILY THE CAR…
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I WAS PASSING A VEHICLE IN MY 3.2TL WHEN SUDDENLY THE WHEELS SEEMED TO HAVE LOCKED AND MY CAR CAME ALMOST TO A SCREECHING HALT. THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME COULD HAVE EASILY REAR-ENDED ME AND CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION PILE-UP. LUCKILY THE CAR DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY, SO I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE INCIDENT WITHOUT PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT ANGERS ME THAT ACURA IS NOT OWNING UP TO THE APARENT TRANSMISSION TROUBLES THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING. JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY SUPERVISOR INFORMED ME THAT HIS TRANSMISSION FAILED ON HIS 3.2CL AT ONLY 18K MILES. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS 4 YEARS/50K MILES AND ACURA NEEDS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY UNTIL THEY FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THE WARRANTY ENDS? ACURA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.*AK
ACURA HAS MADE MANY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2001 AND 2002 TL AND CL. I THINK ACURA SHOULD WARN THEIR CUSTOMER OF THESE FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT FOR THE FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION. LUCKLY, I NOTICED MINES BEFORE TAKING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, WE ARE SPENDING TO MUCH MONEY FOR A CAR THAT CAN …
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ACURA HAS MADE MANY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2001 AND 2002 TL AND CL. I THINK ACURA SHOULD WARN THEIR CUSTOMER OF THESE FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT FOR THE FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION. LUCKLY, I NOTICED MINES BEFORE TAKING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, WE ARE SPENDING TO MUCH MONEY FOR A CAR THAT CAN NOT STAY OUT OF THE SHOP UNDER 50,000 MILES. AND TO ADD TO IT ALL OF THIS ACURA IS DOING NOTHING TO MY KNOWLEDGE TO CONTACT THE OWNERS AND HELP THE SITUATION.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING SPEED OF VEHICLE DROPPED FROM 70MPH TO 10 MPH. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
THESE ACURAS ARE HAVING A MAJOR PROBLEM, SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT DRIVING THEM WHEN A TRANSMISSION GOES OR SOMETHING ELSE. *AK
THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS TO 50K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT GO OUT AGAIN...THERE IS LOTS OF ACURA TL OWNERS WITH BAD TRANSMISSIONS INCLUDING MINE WHICH I JUST REPLACED, BUT AFRAID IT WILL GO BAD AGAIN. PLEASE HELP!!!*AK
BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERYDAY. WARRANTY IS ALMOST UP. WHAT DO I DO? NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK
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.