MYRModel Year Report

2001 Acura TL

● Typical for this model
2001 Acura TL
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:31.286Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
149
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

69% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 149 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2004: 551 complaints 2004 2005: 388 complaints 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 149 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2003 2004: 551 complaints 2005: 388 complaints 2005 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1996 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2000 2001: 149 complaints 2001 149 2002: 333 complaints 2002 2003: 391 complaints 2003 2004: 551 complaints 2004 2005: 388 complaints 2005 2006: 247 complaints 2006 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2014

2001: 149 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199626
199723
199820
1999157
2000249
2001149
2002333
2003391
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

69% · 103 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My Acura 2001 3.2TL automatic transmisson was started by turning on the ignition. As soon as it was started, with transmission in park, the car took off in reverse. Stepping on the brake didn't slow down the car, neither did shifting the gears.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-01

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.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-21

I also have had some major transmission failures. My orginal transmission failed on the freeway while going apprx. 65 MPH, the transmission appeared to down shift into park or first gear. This problem came without any warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30

Air bags

10% · 15 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* the contact owned a 2001 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 25 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the drivers side of the vehicle. During the crash the driver side front and curtain air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-07-02

I have reached out to Acura on three separate occasions to try and get them to inspect and possibly replace my recalled airbags. They have failed to contact us back every time and this is our only mode of transportation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-01-13

Vehicle speed control

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and cables.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I drove my car out the garage into the common alley in reverse, once out the garage. When I was out of garage attempted to close the garage door with the genie , and the garage door wouldn't close .

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-08

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-08-14

Visibility

5% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and interior.

Engine and engine cooling

3% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing engine and fan.

FIRE

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-08-20Seat belts01V166002 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2002-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-05 Automatic transmission sudden downshift
  3. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Acura TL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 103 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V166002 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 20V027000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Acura TL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Acura TL is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura TL?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura TL have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.