Is the 2001 Acura CL a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 205.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Acura CL were filed between 33k and 99k miles. You're at 53,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 CL owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 53,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 205 (76%) | 33k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 32 (12%) | 90k–161k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 53,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 270 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The transmission failed prematurely. The part had been replaced three times, however the problem recurred. *ak the transmission would slip and delay shifts.
My 2001 Acura cl s had the check engine light, VSA light, and ! Light come on. Thinking the problem was related to the emissions, I continued to drive car.
Parked car. Moved transmission lever to what I thought was park (Push straight up). Started to swing out of car putting weight on outside foot.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 53,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Acura CL: 3
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. 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 vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate. 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.
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. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Acura: 8
Repair instructions Acura sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Acura CL. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
You are required to install a remanufactured A/T (automatic transmission) and torque converter on any vehicle with an internal failure that calls for A/T…
There are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
Neighbouring years
2002 CL: 44 complaints, keep it.
Every Acura CL year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · All CL years side by side
Other Acura models: Acura ILX · Acura Integra · Acura MDX · Acura RDX · Acura RL · Acura RSX · Acura TL · Acura TLX · Acura TSX. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Acura CL a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 205. At 53,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Acura CL were filed between 33k and 99k miles. You're at 53,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura CL?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (205), air bags (32), visibility and wipers (12), brakes (10), electrical system (9). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 33k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura CL have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 20V-027), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-026), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 04V-176). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.