IllustrationACURA FAN MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION SAW THE CONNECTOR FROM THE FAN MOTOR MELTED INSIDE. ITS A SURE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
2001 Acura Tl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Tl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
2325–50K
1150–75K
1375–100K
21100–150K
11150K+
84 reports with mileage · 65 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
5 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE AC/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FAN CONNECTOR AND FAN HAD BURNED UP. UPDATED 10/07/11
THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR LEADING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH (ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM) INTO CONNECTOR O ON THE UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX IS DAMAGED - SEEMS LIKE THE COMPONENT OVERHEATED. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE BRAKE LAMP FAILURE AND SHIFT LEVER LOCKED IN PARK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE SHIFT BEING IN PARK. REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE SHIFT BEING IN PARK. REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
AFTER REAR-END COLLISION (MY FAULT ON SLICK PAVEMENT, GOING EST. 15 MPH WHERE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED FOR AT LEAST 15-20 FEET) THE FRONT END OF MY CAR SIMPLY HAD A DENTED FRONT END AND GRILL AND LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) HEADLIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER A SMALL FLAME BROKE OUT AROUND THIS BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND THE FLAME QUICKL…
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AFTER REAR-END COLLISION (MY FAULT ON SLICK PAVEMENT, GOING EST. 15 MPH WHERE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED FOR AT LEAST 15-20 FEET) THE FRONT END OF MY CAR SIMPLY HAD A DENTED FRONT END AND GRILL AND LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) HEADLIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER A SMALL FLAME BROKE OUT AROUND THIS BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND THE FLAME QUICKLY GREW BEFORE THE FIRE ENGINES COULD GET THERE, W/IN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE AND THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A HEADLIGHT CATCH FIRE AND THEN SPREAD THE WAY THIS DID. I'M QUESTIONING WHETHER THIS WAS A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN THIS MODEL OF ACURA AND WHETHER I HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST ACURA. *NM
Official recalls
320V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 17, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 15, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V166002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Aug 14, 2001
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02081 · Automatic Transmission Sudden Downshift
Opened Oct 28, 2002 · Closed Mar 5, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.