VehicleVerdict

2001 Acura CL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 317 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.5 times the median CL year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 8 CL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 67% of all reports (213 of 317), far ahead of airbags at 32.

317

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

13

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other CL years?

CL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted317 complaints1997: 106 complaints1998: 69 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 317 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 89 complaints2004: 2 complaints
CL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Acura CL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission21367%
Airbags3210%
Visibility & Wipers134%
Brakes113%
Electrical System103%
Speed Control83%
Engine72%
Suspension52%
Seat Belts41%
Other31%
Fuel System31%
Body & Structure21%
Latches & Locks21%
Steering21%
Seats10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2001 Acura CL have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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

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.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

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

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.

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I OWED 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S. LAST YEAR THE TRANSMISION WHEN OUT ON ME. WHILE I WAS ON THE FREE WAY. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS.ALL THE SUDDEN THE VEHICAL SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH. ON THE FREEWAY I ALL MOST LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO THE ACCIDENT.I WHEN TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 11, 2003 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT IN A 2001 ACURA CL 3.2 (GOING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MILES PER HOUR ON IMPACT). AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON HER VEHICLE, BUT DID ON THE OTHER DRIVER'S CAR. IMPACT WAS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. BOTH CARS WERE DEEMED "TOTALED" BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 6, 2010 · crash

“CONSUMER SITS IN DRIVER'S SEAT TO IT'S REAR MOST POSITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER MIRROR CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED TO BE ANGLED OUTWARD ENOUGH TO ELIMINATE DANGEROUS BLIND SPOTS FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE CLOSE IN THE ADJACENT LEFT LANE, CONSUMER HAS COME CLOSE TO COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS BLIND SPOT AND HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FATALITY WHICH WAS MY BROTHER, THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE VEHICLE ENTERED INTO A SKID ON A PRETTY STRAIGHT PART OF THE HIGHWAY NOT SURE IF IT WAS A POWERTRAIN ISSUE AS I DID SEE A RECALL AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE MECHANISM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 30, 2016 · crash

“THE IGNITION LOCK-OUT SYSTEM HAS PERMANENTLY FAILED ON MY 2001 ACURA CL SO THAT THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED WHEN SHIFTER IS "DRIVE" POSITION. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR CAN ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, INCLUDING ONCE WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2008 · crash

2001 Acura CL — common questions

Is the 2001 Acura CL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 317 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 8 CL years. It is one of the CL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 CL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (213 complaints), airbags (32 complaints), visibility & wipers (13 complaints).

Does the 2001 Acura CL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Acura CL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Acura CL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Acura CL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CL years to avoid are 2001, 1997, 2003. The cleanest record among CL years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.