repaired · 2022 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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.
2001 Acura CLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 271 owner complaints about the 2001 Acura CL, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-026 the manufacturer reports only 4% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 Acura CL has problems
271 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
206Power train9 crash/fire/injury
32Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
12Visibility
9Electrical system
8Service brakes, hydraulic
8Vehicle speed control
5Suspension
4Engine and engine cooling
4Seat belts
1910 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 206 | 9 |
| Air bags | 32 | 5 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 2 |
| 10 other systems | 19 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2001 Acura CL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
54kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 134 power train complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.
26under 30k miles101under 100k miles33100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
9 owners mentioned a cost$4,500median
Middle half: $4,000 – $4,800
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2001 vs. every other CL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the CL median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2001 Acura CL, and the recalls they led to.
- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTNo recall
In owners' words
What CL owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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
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…
Own a 2001 CL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.