2001 Acura CL
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 271
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2001
Opened by NHTSA
78% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 271 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 82 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 49 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 271 |
| 2002 | 44 |
| 2003 | 73 |
| 2004 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
78% · 211 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-31
Also filed under Service brakes and seat belts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle emitted smoke from under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-10
I have had surgery fusing 7 vertebrae in my neck and back. This was a result of a sudden and severe down shift of my Acura CL 3.2 while driving on the highway.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-22
Air bags
12% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was a vehicle driving toward the contact's driver's side that ran the red light and crashed into the front of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-10
Vehicle suddendly accelerated while driver had foot on brakes, wheels started to spin and went through garage wall and in back yard, but evenutally vehicle stopped because it ran up on a pole. Airbags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-12-14
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Visibility
5% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing exterior and windshield wiper/washer.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-03-16
Service brakes
4% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Acura 2001 was parked on the 3RD floor of a parking structure. Owner(Driver) backed car out of its parking spot at 5:00 p,m, when the temp. Was 13 degrees above zero.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-13
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Electrical system
3% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2001Complaint volume 271 complaints filed for this model year.
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2002-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-05 Automatic transmission sudden downshift
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2004-04-27Power train04V176000 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…
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…
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2020-10-01Air bags20V027000 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.
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.
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2020-10-01Air bags20V026000 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...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 211 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V176000 · Power train
- Recall 20V027000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V026000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 Acura CL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Acura CL is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura CL?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 78% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Acura CL have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.