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 TLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 149 owner complaints about the 2001 Acura TL, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-027 the manufacturer reports only 8% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 Acura TL has problems
149 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
103Power train4 crash/fire/injury
15Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
9Vehicle speed control
7Visibility
5Electrical system
5Engine and engine cooling
4Service brakes, hydraulic
3Tires
2Seat belts
75 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 103 | 4 |
| Air bags | 15 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 2 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 7 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2001 Acura TL 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.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Front: buckle assembly
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
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?
84kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 59 power train complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles37under 100k miles22100k 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
10 owners mentioned a cost$4,250median
Middle half: $3,163 – $5,000
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 TL 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 TL median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2001 Acura TL safety ratings
2001 Acura 3.2 TL 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2001 Acura TL, and the recalls they led to.
- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTNo recall
In owners' words
What TL owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.
FEW WAYS AGO BUY THIS CAR HAS ONLY 84,300 MILES....WHILE DRIVING TODAY SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES AND CAR SLOW DOWN AND MAKING WEARED SOUNDS... GO TO ADVANCE AUTO PART TO SCAN THE MALFUNCTION SIGN AND AFTER SCANNING NO CODES COME BUT SHOWING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SO DON'T KNOW WHERE AND HOW…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA…
Own a 2001 TL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.