MYRModel Year Report

2001 Acura CL

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Acura CL
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura CL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1997: 82 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 1999 2000: 11 complaints 2000 2001: 271 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 73 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaints 2004
2001: 271 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199782
199855
199949
200011
2001271
200244
200373
20041

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 62%

62% of complaints: power train — 169 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040322

MY 2001 ACURA CL SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND I CAUSED A INJURY TO ME. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030116

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
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, 20180731

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, 20120710

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20240410

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20150313

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20001214

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3%

3% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2001 — complaint volume: 271
I 20021028 — PE (closed 20030305)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT

R 20040427 — power train

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 TRANSMISSIO

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 T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201001 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V027000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201001 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Acura CL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (169 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V027000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1999 ● 1998

WORST YEARS

◆ 1997 ◆ 2003 ● 1998

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:automatic transmission, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Acura CL have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.