VehicleVerdict

2001 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2001 Acura TL sits mid-pack among TL years: 163 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 163, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 63% of all reports (103 of 163), far ahead of airbags at 15.

163

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other TL years?

TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted766 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 33 complaints1997: 29 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 197 complaints2000: 325 complaints2001: 163 complaints2002: 403 complaints2003: 466 complaints2004: 766 complaints2005: 550 complaints2006: 342 complaints2007: 167 complaints2008: 181 complaints2009: 51 complaints2010: 75 complaints2011: 23 complaints2012: 162 complaints2013: 73 complaints2014: 17 complaints
TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission10363%
Airbags159%
Speed Control106%
Visibility & Wipers85%
Engine64%
Brakes53%
Electrical System53%
Tires & Wheels32%
Other21%
Suspension21%
Body & Structure21%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2001 Acura TL have recalls?

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

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.

01V166002Seat BeltsAugust 14, 2001 · 8,168 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WANTED TO SEE THE CAR TO LOOK AT IT, BUT CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO. PH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“AIRBAG SIGN REMAINED LIT AS I STARTED DRIVING FROM DRIVEWAY INTO STREET. ABOUT 20 FEET ON THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I WAS ENGULFED BY SMOKE, LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE IN FRONT OF MY NEIGHVBOR'S HOUSE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 14, 2002 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS BARELY GOING 2MPH IN A DRIVEWAY ALMOST STOPPED AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS PRATICALLY STANDING ON BRAKES, USING THE LEFT FOOT AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING IT DEMOLISHED A BRICK PUMP HOUSE, A CONCRETE BIRD BATH, AND AND 2 TREES.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 7, 2001 · crash

“INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR (AUTO DIMMING) BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF DUE TO A DEFECT THAT CAUSED A LIQUID TO LEAK AND CLOUD THE MIRROR. HAD TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO SEE OUT THE BACK. IT OCCURRED GRADUALLY OVER ABOUT A YEAR. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE CORNER AND EVENTUALLY IT COVERED THE WHOLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 27, 2016

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT, WHERE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 31, 2006 · fire

2001 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2001 Acura TL reliable?

It is close to typical for the TL: 163 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2001 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (103 complaints), airbags (15 complaints), speed control (10 complaints).

Does the 2001 Acura TL have recalls?

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

Is the 2001 Acura TL under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Acura TL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TL years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2006, 2000. The cleanest record among TL years belongs to 1995.

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.