2001 Acura CL: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Nov 29, 2016 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura cl. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently would not shift into second or third gear. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. Updated 01/05/2017

Filed Nov 2, 2011 · Transmission · 64,267 miles · CA

Transmission would not shift into reverse or into drive on multiple occasions. Transmission would not decelerate.

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Transmission · 58,300 miles · DC

Purchased 2001 acura 3.2 cl type-s (replacing my first acura 3.2cl that was totaled in a 1/2009 crash) on 3/2009 as second owner from acura dealership with 35,232 miles. Got all service records for this automobile from dealer including the record dated 9/9/04 (mileage 14,660) for the installation of the oil jet kit during transmission recall. While driving home on the highway this evening, the engine and vehicle stability assist (vsa) system lights came on and stayed on. When I finally stopped at a light and then processed through it at a normal slow speed, the tachometer jumped from 2,000 to 4,000 rpms while in first gear. Luckily, I was within a few blocks of my destination. When I returned to vehicle to drive home, car would not shift out of first gear. I had to park the car on a city street that same night. I hadn't experienced any transmission problems until this one night. Had car towed to my regular mechanic the next day only to be told it was a transmission problem. Contacted local acura dealer to be told that my vehicle was out of the warranty period and they tentatively offered a good will split of the cost. (I had bought my first new 2001 acura 3.2cl from them and they had installed a new transmission during the earlier recall.) had vehicle towed to a nationwide transmission specialist shop. They determined that transmission had to be completely overhauled. Agreed to have it repaired and they used new factory parts and honda genuine automatic transmission fluid (atf-z1). After completion and payment, I was advised to drain and refill fluid every 15,000 miles and flush transmission system using atf-z1 every 30,000 miles. I had never been told this transmission servicing schedule by my original local acura service department consultants. Owner manual states changing the fluid at 45,000 miles or 36 months in their maintenance schedule for driving in normal conditions. Vehicle had 58,300 miles when this problem occurred.

Filed Jan 3, 2009 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · GA

Transmission does not shift from first to second gear resulting in high RPM status.

Filed Nov 15, 2004 · Transmission · 34,410 miles · OH

Transmission was defective. Consumer had to have the vehicle towed back to the dealership after transmission work was done. Consumer contacted the manufacturer. However, the manufacturer was not willing to assist the consumer. Prior to transmission's work being done this vehicle did not have a transmission problem . *ak the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle would not go into reverse.

Filed Aug 23, 2004 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · VA

While driving 20 to 40 MPH transmission failed. As a result, vehicle will not shift gears.

Filed Jul 31, 2004 · Transmission · 32,500 miles · MN · crash

I owed 2001 acura cl type s. Last year the transmision when out on me. While I was on the free way. It would not shift gears.all the sudden the vehical slow down to 30 MPH. On the freeway I all most lost control and got into the accident.I when to the dealer they replaced it with a new one.

Filed Aug 6, 2003 · Acceleration, Transmission · DC

The automatic transmission fails to shift properly. Would jerk forward as if it was down shifting on its own. Transmission will not shift out of 2nd gear. Also, rpms would run very high. Recently was not able to shift in to reverse. Felt as if the brakes were on. The drive indicator started flashing. Traction light had came on with the engine light and stayed on. Problem had started on 7/7/03. Had taken the vehicle to dealership on 7/11, and had picked up vehicle on 7/18. Mechanic indicated the problem was not able to be duplicated. The problems with the automatic transmission still exists.*ak

Filed May 17, 2003 · Transmission · 30,600 miles · CA

Acura-cl type s transmission problems at 30000 miles. Transmission started slipping and engaged at random points. Accelerated to 60 miles per hour, at which the transmission down shifted abruptly without warning causing the tires to chirp. Warning lights came on after down shift in the form of a blinking d5 light, check transmission light, vsa light on with exclamation point. Would not shift out of gear until car was turned off and restarted.

Filed Jan 15, 2003 · Transmission · 38,500 miles · NC

Failed transmission in 2001 acura cl 3.2 at 38500 miles. Would not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear and transmission revved in neutral as this was happening, putting me in a dangerous position as I was driving in rush morning rush hour traffic.

Filed Aug 28, 2002 · Transmission · CA

Transmission started slipping and got progressively worse for several weeks. The day before it failed, I was driving along at a steady speed of about 45 MPH when the transmission decided it wanted to be in first gear. The car jerked violently and slowed down very quickly while pulling me to the left (nearly losing control with the front wheels locked) until it shifted back out of first gear. It felt as if I had slammed on the brakes and if someone was behind me, I would have been rear ended. This happened again shortly after but not as violently. When the transmission finally failed, it would take several seconds to shift gears and would rev up high (as if in neutral) while between shifts. When it did shift it shifted hard. Then, as pulling away from a stop light, several of the lights on the dash lit up including the check engine, vsa, and d5 lights and was stuck in second gear. Also, the car would not shift into reverse. I understand from the dealer that this is not an uncommon problem and most people report symptoms similar to mine. I find this scary because I could have been killed had I been in different circumstances when the transmission shifted into first and caused me to slow down and swerve all over the road until I got it under control. The dealer claims that they think they know what the problem is and have fixed it but I've heard from people that are on their third transmission and are again having problems.