VehicleVerdict

2001 Acura CL transmission problems

The 2001 Acura CL has 213 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 67% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

213

Transmission complaints

67%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

CL transmission complaints by model year213 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 10 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 7 complaints2001: 213 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 37 complaints
CL transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2001 Acura CL have?

NHTSA has 213 complaints about the 2001 Acura CL transmission — 67% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Acura CL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V176000.

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.