The contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. On another occasion, while making a left turn on a city street, the vehicle stalled and experienced a loss of power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was shifted to neutral(N) and restarted. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an ignition cylinder failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The worst 2001 Acura CL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission206
- Airbags32
- Visibility12
- Brakes10
- Electrical9
- Acceleration8
- Engine7
- Suspension5
- Seat belts4
- Fuel system3
- Body2
- Locks2
- Steering2
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Acura CL
Transmission failure 76Slipping 42Jerking 17Airbag light 16Won't shift 11Check engine light 8Stalling 8No deployment 7Loss of power 6
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1‑888‑234‑2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1‑800‑255‑6727.
Recall number 20V026000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 20V027000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Acura CL
Defect investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
PE02081
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Acura CL 165
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Test
- Servicenews article
- Tech line summary article
- Tech line summary article
- Service bulletin
- Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- "Service bulletin
- Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem...
- Load carrying capacity reduced label for all acura vehicles.
2001 Acura CL fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 27 | 20 |
What 2001 Acura CL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a safety concern. When my vehicle was assembled, someone decided to have the workers not remove the protective film from the plastic screen on the navigation system that would typically be released. I assume this saved money and time during production. However, that film has deteriorated and crinkled over time, making it difficult to see the screen, especially at night. This does not seem acceptable, and I have been told that the remedy is costly, which upset me as removing the film should have been part of the assembly procedure.
In and around July 2024 my Acura cl started to have erratic shifting and locking up at highways speeds the vehicle is so unsafe to drive I cannot get the air bags fixed it shifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear in 2004 a remedy was applied to the transmission to aid and fix the downshifting issues and overheating issues the vehicle does have these problems and was not repaired correctly in 2004 by Acura I called Honda/acura and they are not willing to replace or fix the transmission
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. The entire front of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt restraint system did not operate. The contact was treated for a back muscle injury and it was unknown if the other driver sustained injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the contact was informed the vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the junkyard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 262,515.
I was stopped in heavy traffic. The traffic light turned green and the cars in front of me started to move. I tapped my accelerator with my right foot and the gasoline was delivered to my engine with maximum force. I could not stop the car with my foot on the brake. I steered the car to the right so that I would not rearend the car in front of me. The car sideswiped the car I front of me and I went into an embankment and stopped. A police officer thought I may have hit both the brake and the accelerator pedal with my right foot, but he did not understand that I was only going about 5 mph when the accelerator exploded, so that this was impossible. The Acura agency in Latham says that I could have switched off the ignition, but with both hands gripping the steering wheel and my right foot pressing the brake pedal with maximum force, I could not have turned off the ignition at the same time. Therefore the advice was not practical.
Frank let us Acura would not preform my transmission recall after it locked up “stating the recall has already been done” but they “don’t have any record of it” they claim someone didn’t file the paper work on it but my trans locked up going 70 miles and hour and threw me off of the road
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer acura of troy (1828 maplelawn dr, troy, mi 48084, (877) 820-3015) and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part needed to repair the defect was unavailable. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *bf
I have a recall on my airbags but the acura repair shop does not have the part and it has been 6 months since I received the notice that their is a dangerous recall. What can I do?
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called hopkins acura (1555 el camino real, redwood city, ca 94063 (650) 364-6771) and autonation acura stevens creek (4747 stevens creek blvd, santa clara, ca 95051(408) 758-5502) and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Compare the 2001 Acura CL
Other model years
Questions about the 2001 Acura CL
Is the 2001 Acura CL reliable?
Owners have filed 271 complaints about the 2001 Acura CL, 3.7 times a typical CL model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Acura CL year score?
The 2001 Acura CL scores 27 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura CL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Acura CL?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 206 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles. Next is airbags (32).
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura CL have?
3 recalls, covering air bags and power train.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Acura CL transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura CL have bad transmission?
The Acura CL model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (206 complaints), 2003 (36 complaints) and 2002 (33 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Acura CL get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Acura CL range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 27 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Acura CL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history