Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Acura CL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In and around July 2024 my Acura cl started to have erratic shifting and locking up at highways speeds the vehicle is so unsafe to drive I cannot get the air bags fixed it shifts from 5th gear to 2nd gear in 2004 a remedy was applied to the transmission to aid and fix the downshifting issues and overheating issues the vehicle does have these problems and was not repaired correctly in 2004 by Acura I called Honda/acura and they are not willing to replace or fix the transmission
Frank let us Acura would not preform my transmission recall after it locked up "stating the recall has already been done" but they "don't have any record of it" they claim someone didn't file the paper work on it but my trans locked up going 70 miles and hour and threw me off of the road
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated when shifting gears to reverse in his garage, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into his garage wall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No police report was filed. The contact called local dealer Acura of honolulu (3251 n nimitz hwy, honolulu, hi 96819, [phone]) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. Consumer stated vehicle was repaired.
The vehicle was involved in fatality which was my brother, they cannot explain why the vehicle entered into a skid on a pretty straight part of the highway not sure if it was a powertrain issue as I did see a recall after I did some research following the accident. The other issue is the mechanism on how the driver safety belt attaches to the frame as that was damaged on first impact which caused my brother to be ejected. Something as important as a safety should not be compromised so easily.
I own a 2001 Acura CL. I was driving in to the driveway, when without warning, the transmission accelerated, brakes would not operate normally and the car hit the driveway wall violently with concomitant abnormal speed. I chalked it up to a one time event. The car sustained $6,000 in front damage. Today, likewise, as I was driving in to the driveway, the car again started accelerating on its own and I almost rammed in to the neighbors adjoining fence/tree. Upon review of all the complaints lodged against Acura for transmission failure on this particular model, I came to realize that the vehicle is obviously defective in normal transmission operation. I was never notified by the dealer to have the car checked due to effective recall on transmission failures/operation. My attorney advises me to proceed with legal proceedings. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle emitted smoke from under the hood. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder where the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic. The failure was located at the transmission. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced at 85,000 miles under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train: automatic transmission) but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was repaired and the local mechanic replaced the transmission. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000 and the current mileage was 174,458.
This car has had multiple issues with the SRS system, which has rendered it inoperable. Apparently, there are design issues with the seat buckle and seat sensor that have been there all along. There are multiple owner complaints here and on the internet about this. This apparently makes the entire SRS system inoperable, including the driver airbag. This along with the well documented transmission issues make this a "rolling coffin"-- I am not sure why Honda is not concerned about the safety of its owners. I guess it would take major injuries and lawsuits and publicity to get some action.
The passenger side airbag in my 2001!Acura CL was recalled and the company never contacted me about it! I bought the car on 5/28/20 with no title but I do have a bill of sale on a notebook piece of paper but anyways I saw where there was recalls for some parts on my vehicle and was researching up on this stuff and came across the information that my airbags have been recalled...what possibly is there to do about this situation? Please and thank you have a blessed day!!! Here is my campaign id '04V176000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Acura CL. The contact stated that the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train) by lehigh valley Acura (333 state ave, emmaus, pa 18049, [phone]), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the transmission warning indicator remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Acura 3.2 CL type s has had 4 total failures all related to transmitions problems. The failures occured while driving in the insterstate highway at 65mph. Dealearship has replaced four transmitions causing time loss at work and placing my self in a hazardous situations while the failures occured leaving standed in unsecure areas and far away from any kind of help or assistance even in areas with cell phone coverage. The date of the incident registered below is the last one.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
Transmission complaints in other CL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Acura CL?
NHTSA has 206 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Acura CL, 76% of the model year's 271 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (171 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Acura CL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Acura CL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.