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2001 Acura CL transmission problems

206 complaints (76% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 54,000. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
206
of this car's complaints
76%
typical mileage
54,000
crashes
6
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    169
  • Manual transmission
    6
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    5
  • Axle assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Acura CL transmission problems in other years

1997199819992000200120022003

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Acura CL transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 76Slipping 42Jerking 17Won't shift 11

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles affected
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

Related investigations

Automatic transmission sudden downshiftOpened October 28, 2002, closed March 5, 2003

See attached report.

PE02081

What 2001 Acura CL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Transmission · VA

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

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Transmission · MO

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

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Airbags, Transmission · 33,600 miles · IN

The passenger side airbag in my 2001!acura cl was recalled and the company never contacted me about it! I bought the car on 5/28/20 with no title but I do have a bill of sale on a notebook piece of paper but anyways I saw where there was recalls for some parts on my vehicle and was researching up on this stuff and came across the information that my airbags have been recalled...what possibly is there to do about this situation? Please and thank you have a blessed day!!! Here is my campaign id '04v176000.

Filed May 18, 2020 · Airbags, Transmission · 102,000 miles · HI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact stated when shifting gears to reverse in his garage, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into his garage wall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No police report was filed. The contact called local dealer acura of honolulu (3251 n nimitz hwy, honolulu, hi 96819, (808) 829-3073) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. *ln*jb *bf consumer stated vehicle was repaired.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · PA

While driving on the highway at 65mph, my car suddenly slipped out of gear, engine revving and smoke pouring from under the hood. I had gotten no warning at all.the check engine light never came on and the car had no prior instances of gear problems. Had to get it towed home where it sits in my driveway because I can't afford a new transmission.

Filed Jun 1, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 163,000 miles · FL

Takata recall. My transmission is acting up.???

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact stated that the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train) by lehigh valley acura (333 state ave, emmaus, pa 18049, (610) 967-6500), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the transmission warning indicator remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Transmission · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact stated that the transmission slipped into second gear without warning. The vehicle was serviced by an unknown dealer for the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Transmission · 157,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. When starting the vehicle, it stalled in second gear. The contact had to downshift into d4 to correct the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Brakes, Seat belts · 160,000 miles · CA · crash

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 following the accident. The other issue is the mechanism on how the driver safety belt attaches to the frame as that was damaged on first impact which caused my brother to be ejected. Something as important as a safety should not be compromised so easily.

Questions about the 2001 Acura CL transmission

Does the 2001 Acura CL have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 206 complaints about the transmission of the 2001 Acura CL, 76% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2001 Acura CL transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 54,000 miles.

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).

Other 2001 Acura CL problems

Airbags 32Visibility 12Brakes 10Electrical 9Acceleration 8Engine 7Suspension 5Seat belts 4Fuel system 3Body 2Locks 2Steering 2Seats 1Tires 1

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