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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

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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

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

What owners actually said

149 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2010
Power Train

2001 3.2TL ACURA. DOCUMENT SENT REGARDING MEDIATION ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER REGARDING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD BANG NOISE. HE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT NO NOISE WAS HEARD. HE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE, PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND BEGAN TO PROCEED SLOWLY, A…

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2001 3.2TL ACURA. DOCUMENT SENT REGARDING MEDIATION ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER REGARDING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD BANG NOISE. HE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT NO NOISE WAS HEARD. HE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE, PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND BEGAN TO PROCEED SLOWLY, AGAIN NO NOISE WAS HEARD. THE NEXT MORNING, HE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN, AS HE PULLED INTO A LANE AND TURNED RIGHT, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALER HE FOUND OUT, THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT THE WORK WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4,800.00 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10340031

70,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Power Train

ONE WEEK AGO I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION (2001 ACURA TL) WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AS WELL AS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I WENT TO ACURA HONOLULU YESTERDAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD TOTAL $6600 (NEARLY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH). …

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ONE WEEK AGO I NOTICED THAT MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION (2001 ACURA TL) WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AS WELL AS WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I WENT TO ACURA HONOLULU YESTERDAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD TOTAL $6600 (NEARLY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH). I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS YEAR'S MODEL HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER SEVEN YEARS OLD, THEY WILL NOT HONOR THIS WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY MILEAGE IS WITHIN THE ACCEPTED COVERAGE OF 100,000 MILES. I'M NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD YET ACURA IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR COSTS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MANAGER AS WELL AS THEIR CORPORATE OFFICES, BUT THEY WERE UNWILLING TO OFFER GOODWILL ASSISTANCE. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT ACURA IS WILLING TO KEEP A BAD PRODUCT ON THE MARKET WHILE LEAVING THE OWNERS TO PAY RIDICULOUS REPAIR COSTS.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326905

148,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2001 ACURA TL LAST WEEK 03/09/10 FELL IN LOVE ....ON 03/16/10 DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON RPM RISE WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR DOESN'T SPEED UP. AND IM FORCED TO TRY AND DRIFT INTO A BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE HIGHWAY!.SO THAT MEANS …

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I PURCHASED A 2001 ACURA TL LAST WEEK 03/09/10 FELL IN LOVE ....ON 03/16/10 DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON RPM RISE WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR DOESN'T SPEED UP. AND IM FORCED TO TRY AND DRIFT INTO A BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE HIGHWAY!.SO THAT MEANS I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND IT ALMOST KILLED ME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320199

89,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Power Train

ON MY ACURA 3.2 TL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, GEAR SLIPPING AND COULD BE POTENTIAL HIGH/FATAL RISK ON A HWY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319710

108,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Power Train

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF MY CAR AND I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THE VEHICLE (NEARLY ALL DEALER-RECOMMENDED INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE IN TIMELY MANNER). THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2003, AS PER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. ONCE AGAIN, MY CAR HAS BEEN RENDERED INOPERABLE BECAUSE THE R…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF MY CAR AND I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THE VEHICLE (NEARLY ALL DEALER-RECOMMENDED INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE IN TIMELY MANNER). THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2003, AS PER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. ONCE AGAIN, MY CAR HAS BEEN RENDERED INOPERABLE BECAUSE THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED (AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY) - WITH 108,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WITH A MODERATE DRIVING HISTORY, A WELL-CARED-FOR CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE TWO FAILED TRANSMISSIONS IN NINE YEARS. AS A RETIREE, $4000 REPAIR COSTS OR USED CAR PURCHASE PRICES ARE BOTH PROHIBITIVE; AND ACURA DISCLAIMS ALL RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287459

91,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Power Train

WE OWN A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL, WHICH WE BOUGHT IN 2006 WITH 43K MILES ON IT. IT CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 91,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WE STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION TROUBLE - VERY SLUGGISH SHIFTING, AND SLIPPAGE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, AND HEAVY SHAKING/VIBRATION OF THE CAR (UNTIL THEN IT HAS BEEN A FANT…

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WE OWN A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL, WHICH WE BOUGHT IN 2006 WITH 43K MILES ON IT. IT CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 91,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WE STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION TROUBLE - VERY SLUGGISH SHIFTING, AND SLIPPAGE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, AND HEAVY SHAKING/VIBRATION OF THE CAR (UNTIL THEN IT HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC VEHICLE). I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS UNDER A RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL ACURA DEALER, WE WERE TOLD WE WERE BEYOND THE 7 YR WINDOW, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE LESS THAN THE 100K LIMIT ON THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287114

155,865 miles · Jun 19, 2009
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AT FIRST, IT SLIP AFTER I REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THEN WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE THAT'S WHEN IT SLIPS. THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT LOOK AT AND THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDS TO REPLACE. ALSO ONE THING IS THAT I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND NEVE…

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TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AT FIRST, IT SLIP AFTER I REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THEN WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE THAT'S WHEN IT SLIPS. THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT LOOK AT AND THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDS TO REPLACE. ALSO ONE THING IS THAT I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS NOTICE. SO RIGHT NOW I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPLACE BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274298

111,403 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Power Train

ACURA TL MODEL 2001 HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SPOKE TO ACURA CARE WITH NO RESPONSE. ACURA IS GIVING WORST POSSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267001

95,000 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Power Train

2001 TL NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION JOB, AND ACURA IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS 3RD TRANSMISSION AS OF YET. ALWAYS LOVED THE CARS AND WHEN THEY SENT ME THE RECALL NOTICE IN 2003/04 THOUGHT IT WAS VERY HONORABLE. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT NEARLY KILLED ME AS IT DROPPED DOWN TO 2ND GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE …

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2001 TL NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION JOB, AND ACURA IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS 3RD TRANSMISSION AS OF YET. ALWAYS LOVED THE CARS AND WHEN THEY SENT ME THE RECALL NOTICE IN 2003/04 THOUGHT IT WAS VERY HONORABLE. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT NEARLY KILLED ME AS IT DROPPED DOWN TO 2ND GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ONE PIECE AND THEY "FIXED IT". THOUGHT IT WAS HONORABLE THAT THEY PROACTIVELY RESOLVED SITUATION. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE GEARS SLIPPING AGAIN JUST THE OTHER DAY AND KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN BACK. AS I WAS DRIVING IT BACK A TRUCK CAME FEET AWAY FROM CRUSHING ME AS IT DOVE DOWN TO 2ND GEAR. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE IN TIME, I WAS SCARED @*(#(&$. HAD IT TOWED THERE AND THEY CHARGED ME $96 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT SINCE IT'S OUT OF THE 7 YEAR/100,000 ML WARRANTY THAT THEY CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE. IT'S UNDER 100,000 MILES, I'M ORIGINAL OWNER, AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE RECORD OF FIXING IT FROM 03/04. (I BROUGHT IT TO THEM, BUT THERE COMPUTERS ONLY GO BACK 5YRS?) THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 3,100, AND CLAIM THAT SINCE THEY HAVEN'T SERVICED IT IN 5 YRS THEY DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEEN SERVICED PROPERLY. I MOVED AWAY WHAT THE HELL? THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TRANSMISSION ON IT AND IT'S UNDER 100,000 MLS??? I REPLACE THE TIRES LESS OFTEN, HAVE A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD AND BOTH MY BROTHERS BOUGHT CARS FROM ACURA OF AUBURN "MA". I EASILY COULD HAVE DIED THE OTHER DAY AND THEY SHOWED NO EMPATHY. IT'S LIKE THEY'VE SEEN THIS TOO MANY TIMES THAT THEY'VE BECOME JADED. I'M AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM A CASE MANAGER. IF THEY DON'T HELP ME I'M CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU/WRITING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THERE IS NO WAY THEY SHOULD BE PROFITING FROM SUCH AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. I AT ONE TIME LOVED THE CAR, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AND WILL PROACTIVELY TELL PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A CAR TO STAY FAR FAR AWAY. I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED. GL TO ALL OWNERS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259173

9,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PULL AND BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE GEARS SLIPPED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PULL AND BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE GEARS SLIPPED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS OVER 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251500

Official recalls

3

20V027000 · 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

1

PE02081 · 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.