2001 Acura Cl Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Cl.

20002002
Complaints
316
Crashes
23
Fires
2
Injuries
13
Fatalities
3
Recalls
2

Worst 2001 Acura Cl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1171 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:60,486 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#230 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:116,034 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#327 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:111,011 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Acura Cl.

Automatic Transmission
171
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
60,486
Transmission / Drivetrain
30
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
116,034
Airbags
27
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
111,011
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
149,333
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
97,144
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,900
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
51,875
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Anti-Theft Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Acura Cl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2001 Acura Cl

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,315,807 vehicles.

20V027000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~875,966 affected

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.

20V026000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,439,841 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. 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.

Other Acura Cl Years

2001 Acura Cl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 Acura Cl reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2001 Acura Cl has 316 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 171 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Acura Cl?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (171 complaints, avg 60,486 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (30 complaints, avg 116,034 mi); Airbags (27 complaints, avg 111,011 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Acura Cl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,232 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Acura Cl?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Acura Cl include 23 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Acura Cl have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,315,807 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2001 Acura Cl?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2001 Acura Cl shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Acura Cl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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