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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

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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.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

149 reports
145,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE AC/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FAN CONNECTOR AND FAN HAD BURNED UP. UPDATED 10/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10414726

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2011
Power Train

2001 ACURA 3.2TL. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY NOTICED A JUDDERING AND SLIPPING ON D5 WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD, ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING ON RAMPS, MERGING ON TO FREEWAYS AND BRIDGES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A P…

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2001 ACURA 3.2TL. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY NOTICED A JUDDERING AND SLIPPING ON D5 WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD, ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING ON RAMPS, MERGING ON TO FREEWAYS AND BRIDGES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS INDEED A PROBLEM WITH THE P1750-CLUTCH PRESS, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE AS A ONE TIME GESTURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10414280

125,980 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,980.

NHTSA ODI #10413347

207,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Electrical System

THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR LEADING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH (ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM) INTO CONNECTOR O ON THE UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX IS DAMAGED - SEEMS LIKE THE COMPONENT OVERHEATED. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE BRAKE LAMP FAILURE AND SHIFT LEVER LOCKED IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410825

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE: I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT 25K MILES IN SEPT "04". RECALL TOOK PLACE APR. "04". I WAS NEVER TOLD BY THE DEALER, THAT A "RECALL" WAS MADE ON THE TRANNY FOR 7/100K. ( IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THEY PUT THE SALE OF THE CAR OVER THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY CHILD )I FOUND OUT ON THE DAY MY TRANNY WENT OUT ON AUG. "10" AN…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE: I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT 25K MILES IN SEPT "04". RECALL TOOK PLACE APR. "04". I WAS NEVER TOLD BY THE DEALER, THAT A "RECALL" WAS MADE ON THE TRANNY FOR 7/100K. ( IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THEY PUT THE SALE OF THE CAR OVER THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY CHILD )I FOUND OUT ON THE DAY MY TRANNY WENT OUT ON AUG. "10" AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $3,700 FOR THE REPAIR DUE TO THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I WAS COMING OFF THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN I EXITED AND SLOWED DOWN TO APPROX. 35 MPH, THE CAR WENT "CRAZY" IT WAS BUCKING AND JUMPING AND THRUSTING US FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION. I AM FEMALE AND HAD MY TODDLER WITH ME, I WAS SCARED, IT WAS A STRANGE BEHAVIOR FOR A CAR, IT FELT LIKE I WAS BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR. I COULDN'T SHAKE THE IDEA THAT WE JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY. HAD THIS CAR DONE THIS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY!! MY THOUGHTS ARE WE WOULD OF BEEN BADLY HURT ALONG WITH OTHERS. IT WAS A MATTER OF SECONDS THAT CHANGED MY OUTCOME, ALONG WITH THE "GUARDIAN ANGLES". I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND GAVE THE DEALER ALL THE $$ I HAD. I HAVE READ ON YOUR NHTSA WEB SITE, OF PEOPLE HAVING TO REPLACE UP TO THREE TIMES. THE DESIGN PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED, FROM THE RESULTS, IT IS NOT RESOLVED, YET THESE CARS ARE ON THE ROADS AND EVERY OTHER DAY SOMEONE'S TRANNY IS GOING OUT AS WELL AS THEM EXPERIENCING NEAR INJURY CONDITIONS. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! WHEN "TYLENOL" WAS RECALLED...THEY REMOVED THE PRODUCT FROM THE SHELF TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING DONE HERE AS WELL. GIVE US BLUE BOOK VALUE AT THE TIME OF TRANNY FAILURE AND SCRAP THESE CARS. BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A RELIABLE TRANNY FIX IN THEIR DESIGN FLAW, GIVE US BLUE BOOK VALUE SO WE CAN DRIVE A CAR THAT IS MORE SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10388869

162,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Structure

MY 2001 ACURA TL WITH 162,000 MILES HAS A SUBFRAME THAT IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WEAKENED TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ACURA HAS DECIDED TO CALL THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSING UNIT HAS A SMALL HOSE FOR CONDENSATE THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE TH…

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MY 2001 ACURA TL WITH 162,000 MILES HAS A SUBFRAME THAT IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WEAKENED TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ACURA HAS DECIDED TO CALL THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSING UNIT HAS A SMALL HOSE FOR CONDENSATE THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SITE OF THE RUST. THIS HOSE HAS BEEN DRIPPING ONTO THE SUBFRAME WHENEVER THE AC HAS BEEN IN USE. THIS IS NOT WEAR AND TEAR, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ACURA IS NOT OWNING UP TO AND IF THE WEAKENED SUBFRAME WERE TO BREAK WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN THIS WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE OTHER PARTS OF THE SUBFRAME ARE IN FINE CONDITION, THERE IS ONLY ONE EXPLANATION WHY IT WOULD BE RUSTED OUT IN THIS ONE PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384164

47,000 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Power Train

2001 ACURA 3.2 TL, 47000+ MILES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BOUGHT CAR NEW: ONLY DRIVER CALLED CLIENT SERVICES AND MY DEALER FOR REPAIR COMPENSATION THEY CLAIM VEHICLE IS OUT OF TIME PERIOD FOR RECALL (I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM) ACURA WILL PAY HALF: COST TO ME $2400+ BECAUSE OF LOW MILEAGE AND THE PR…

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2001 ACURA 3.2 TL, 47000+ MILES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BOUGHT CAR NEW: ONLY DRIVER CALLED CLIENT SERVICES AND MY DEALER FOR REPAIR COMPENSATION THEY CLAIM VEHICLE IS OUT OF TIME PERIOD FOR RECALL (I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM) ACURA WILL PAY HALF: COST TO ME $2400+ BECAUSE OF LOW MILEAGE AND THE PROBLEMS ACURA HAS HAD WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS MODEL, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND INCUR THE ENTIRE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369472

118,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE SHIFT BEING IN PARK. REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE SHIFT BEING IN PARK. REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10361278

98,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Power Train

2001 ACURA 3.2 TL NEEDED TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2006 DUE TO A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. MILEAGE ON CAR AT THAT POINT WAS ABOUT 61,000 MILES. AUGUST 2010 TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT. SO THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHEN IT HAD INCURRED 37,000 MILES ON IT. T…

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2001 ACURA 3.2 TL NEEDED TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2006 DUE TO A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. MILEAGE ON CAR AT THAT POINT WAS ABOUT 61,000 MILES. AUGUST 2010 TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT. SO THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHEN IT HAD INCURRED 37,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNDER THE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID ORIGINALLY THAT I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $5,000 TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. FINALLY, AFTER MUCH HASSLE, THEY MADE ME PAY $1,005 AND I HAD TO PAY $330 FOR A RENTAL. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. CLEARLY THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY INSTALLED IN 2006 WAS DEFECTIVE, JUST AS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING IN AUGUST AND I VERY EASILY COULD HAVE HAD A CRASH. IT LOCKED UP AND I COULD BARELY MOVE IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349052

86,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Power Train

WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY GA 400, I NOTICED THAT MY 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL SLAMMED IN TO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THEN, THE D5 DASH LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, THEN THE TCS LIGHT, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (JACKSON ACURA), WHO ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND OFFERED 10% "HELP" WITH THE $5,33…

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WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY GA 400, I NOTICED THAT MY 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL SLAMMED IN TO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THEN, THE D5 DASH LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, THEN THE TCS LIGHT, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (JACKSON ACURA), WHO ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND OFFERED 10% "HELP" WITH THE $5,331.65 COST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS "LUCKY", IN THAT WE WERE DRIVING IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME, IN THE RAIN, IN THE DARK, WITH SMALL CHILDREN... THERE WAS NO WARNING. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342743

Official recalls

3

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.

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

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.