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. I've expressed my concerns to them each time and let them know I'm forced to drive this vehicle until it's fixed.
The worst 2001 Acura TL 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.
- Transmission102
- Airbags15
- Acceleration9
- Visibility8
- Engine6
- Brakes5
- Electrical5
- Tires3
- Body2
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Acura TL
Transmission failure 42Slipping 16Jerking 13Check engine light 9Hesitation 6
Trouble codes owners of the 2001 Acura TL mention
P1750 2
Recalls 3
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
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- 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 with replacement buckles installed as product update repairs; and certain 2000-2002 acura 3.2tl vehicles with replacement buckles installed as warranty or collision repairs. Repairs were made from march 9 through july 27, 2001. Some of the noncompliant buckles were mislabeled and redistributed to acura dealers to be used as recall repair parts. Honda also determined that incorrect front seat belt buckle replacement parts were used for some product update repairs of 2000 acura 3.2tl vehicles, and warranty or collision repairs of 2000-2002 3.2tl vehicles. These seat belt buckles may not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
- 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 service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact acura at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 01V166002 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Acura TL
Defect investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
PE02081
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Acura TL 168
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Servicenews article
- Tech line summary article
- Tech line summary article
- Service bulletin
- Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 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 TL 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 TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura tl. The contact stated that he received a the federal safety agency recall letter number 20v027000 (air bags). The contact took the vehicle into the dealer flow acura 4952 new centre dr, wilmington, nc 28403 (910) 218-7070. During the recall repair they told the contact they did not have the right parts and said they would call him back. The dealer called back and said that the manufacturer rep said they did not make that airbag part since the vehicle was old. The vehicle was not able to pass inspection since the repair shorted out several functions. The vehicle was unrepaired with a defective air bag while the dealer looks for another part. The failure mileage was 190,000.
For my acura tl 2001 we have been waiting over 6 months for the air bag to be replaced. The dealership and honda (called honda this week) will not even provide a date when the replacement air bags will be available. Very poor as this is a known safety hazard and we don't feel safe driving this vehicle!
Transmission slips between 3 and 4. Doesn't do this all the time, however; many, many forums are full of 2001 acura tl's having transmission solenoid issues. We bought car used (163,000), many cars out there with the exact same issue which should have been addressed in the 2000's.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura tl. 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 contact called acura of tempe (7800 s autoplex loop, tempe, az 85284; (480) 344-5800) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura tl. 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 rallye acura located at 1750 northern blvd, roslyn, ny 11576, and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that parts would be available the first quarter of 2021. 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* the contact owns a 2001 acura tl. 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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the part was not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura tl. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *bf
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. The driver sustained severe injuries to the head, neck, upper body, left eye and neck vertebrae that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified. The contact indicated that the air bag was previously replaced. No further information was available. The failure mileage was unknown.
Compare the 2001 Acura TL
Other model years
19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Questions about the 2001 Acura TL
Is the 2001 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the 2001 Acura TL, close to a typical TL model year.
What is the 2001 Acura TL year score?
The 2001 Acura TL scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura TL: 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 TL?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 102 complaints, typically around 84,300 miles. Next is airbags (15).
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura TL have?
3 recalls, covering air bags, power train and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Acura TL transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura TL have bad transmission?
The Acura TL model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (246 complaints), 2002 (224 complaints) and 2000 (111 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Acura TL 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 TL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history