KnownCarProblems2001 Acura CL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 271 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Acura CL, most often about the transmission (76% of complaints, typically around 53,000 miles). It is the most complained-about CL model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Acura CL problems
Transmission
206 complaints · 76%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
The transmission failed prematurely. The part had been replaced three times, however the problem recurred. The transmission would slip and delay shifts. The downshifts were sometimes harsh. On at least two occasions when downshifting to pass other vehicles on the highway, the vehicle would feel as if the transmission…
Automatic transmission erratic shifting, flare at upshifts, it shifts suddenly from 5th to 2nd gear, casuing extreme deceleration at high speed. Causing vehicle almost out of control, almost into an accident.
Air bags
32 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
My SRS light is on, and always on, driving, in park, etc. However, my car has not been recalled. I read that if the SRS light is on the system will not work, however the seat belt restraint in both front seats and side air bag indicator both work. Dealer should examine, determine problem and fix at no cost. My navi…
My SRS light turned on a few days ago, so I went into mullers woodfiled Acura in hoffman estates, il. For them to diagnose the issue, they charged me $130.00 and told me that opds control unit needs to be replaced and it will cost me close to $800 with a managers discount. This opds unit had a manufacturers extended…
Visibility and wipers
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
2001 Acura CL type s rear view mirror leak. Mirror became cloudy and needed to be replaced after black tar like substance leaked from rear view mirror. Substance is highly corrosive and damages whatever it comes in contact with.
The rear view mirror of my 2001 Acura cls started leaking the chemical that allows it to dim. I believe it was because the temperature here in nc has been around 100 degrees for a couple of days. I've read several online forums describing incidents where their mirrors exploded, causing the chemical to spew all over…
Brakes
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Brake rotors were severly warped. This is normally a wear and tear item and is expected to require replacement; however, Acura knows of a manufacturing defect with the brakes on at least the 2001 3.2 CL and 1999-2001 tl vehicles as evidenced by tsb 01-017. This is the second time I've required the rotors to be…
I purchased my 2001 Acura new in july of 2000. Over its life time of three years & 37k miles its had the brakes worked on four times. *break pads replace four times *rotors machined down twice *rotors replaced twice basically during normal rapid braking the CL's steering wheel shakes rapidly. Acura had stood behind…
Electrical
9 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
I own a 2001 Acura CL 3.2. The locking mechanism in the ignition switch does not appear to be working. The switch can be turned to off and the key removed without having the transmission in park. This appears to be a problem since the car can continue to move (whether or not someone is inside the car). This was only…
My SRS light is on, and always on, driving, in park, etc. However, my car has not been recalled. I read that if the SRS light is on the system will not work, however the seat belt restraint in both front seats and side air bag indicator both work. Dealer should examine, determine problem and fix at no cost. My navi…
Speed control
8 complaints · 3%Was driving at highway speed. "lost" accelerator pedal. Coasted to shoulder, stopped car. Found that pedal had dropped to floor and connector end of cable was hanging above pedal area. Also found that the cable connecting to engine just at edge of cover/housing was missing. Car was towed on a flatbed to the nearest…
Transmission lockup at highway speeds. Vehicle would drop speed from 70 mps to 10 mps without warning in a matter of seconds almost causing loss of control & crash with cars following on highway. As described in Acura service bulletin 04-020. Car was fitted with repair part but did not prevent it from occurring again…
Engine
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Several broken motor mounts in 2001 Acura 3.2cl. This likely will lead to defects in transmission and or engine which can cause an accident. This information on broken motor mounts on my vehicle and the likely affects came directly from my Acura dealer. It is likely these motor mounts were broken several thousand…
My 2001 Acura CL 2.3 transmission had failed appox 2 mos ago. I have missed several days of work because of the problem and repair time and cost during the holiday seasons. My wife also missed several days of work to accommodate for driving me.
Suspension
5 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
My car is having the transmission problems its consent want to shift in 3rd gear,and the front suspension is making a lot of cradling and clsnking while driving over tiny bumpss
While in traffic and moving at approximately 1- to 20 MPH, the wheel caved in and tilted sideways, damaging the left front fender. The car was undrivable and was towed to the nearest auto repair shop. Paul's motors [phone]. The ball joint and axle were replaced. The fender damage will be repaired at the body shop. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Acura CL recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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 vehicle
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
Summary
See attached report.
Questions about the 2001 Acura CL
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura CL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (206 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); air bags (32 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); visibility and wipers (12 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Acura CL have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 17, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Acura CL?
- It is the most complained-about CL model year since 2000, with 271 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.