Owners filed 149 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
08237382,373 milesMedian miles at failure
84 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
87
2
0
2
Air Bags
15
3
0
2
Power Train
13
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
2
0
1
Tires
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield
2
0
0
0
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
2
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V027000
Filed Jan 17, 2020875,966 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission04V176000
Filed Apr 15, 20041,099,796 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly01V166002
Filed Aug 14, 20018,168 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.
Defect. 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."
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 13, 2026NC
I have reached out to Acura on three separate occasions to try and get them to inspect and possibly replace my recalled airbags. They have failed to contact us back every time and this is our only mode of transportation. I've expressed my concerns to them each time and let them know I'm forced to drive this vehicle until it's fixed.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2021190,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER NUMBER 20V027000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FLOW ACURA 4952 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 (910) 218-7070. DURING THE RECALL REPAIR THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PARTS AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE DEALER CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER REP SAID THEY DID NOT MAKE THAT AIRBAG PART SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION SINCE THE REPAIR SHORTED OUT SEVERAL FUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED WITH A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG WHILE THE DEALER LOOKS FOR ANOTHER PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 29, 2020TN
FOR MY ACURA TL 2001 WE HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 6 MONTHS FOR THE AIR BAG TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA (CALLED HONDA THIS WEEK) WILL NOT EVEN PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS WILL BE AVAILABLE. VERY POOR AS THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD AND WE DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE!
Power Train
Filed Sep 18, 2020163,000 milesTN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 3 AND 4. DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME, HOWEVER; MANY, MANY FORUMS ARE FULL OF 2001 ACURA TL'S HAVING TRANSMISSION SOLENOID ISSUES. WE BOUGHT CAR USED (163,000), MANY CARS OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE 2000'S.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 11, 2020AZ
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF TEMPE (7800 S AUTOPLEX LOOP, TEMPE, AZ 85284; (480) 344-5800) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF
Air Bags
Filed Aug 31, 2020NY
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER RALLYE ACURA LOCATED AT 1750 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576, AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2021. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 28, 2020OR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2020OH
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 28, 2020OR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 16, 2020GA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 25 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, UPPER BODY, LEFT EYE AND NECK VERTEBRAE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 26, 2019160,000 milesMO
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS AND REALLY LIKE IT. MY PROBLEM IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FREQUENTLY LIGHTS UP? IT HAPPENS IF THE SEAT IS EMPTY, A PURSE IS THERE OR SOMEONE IS SITTING THERET BY THE VIN IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 8, 2019217,000 milesCA
I DROVE MY CAR OUT THE GARAGE INTO THE COMMON ALLEY IN REVERSE, ONCE OUT THE GARAGE. WHEN I WAS OUT OF GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR WITH THE GENIE , AND THE GARAGE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE . I DROVE THE CAR FURTHER AWAY FROM THE GARAGE/BUILDING IN REVERSE TO DETERMINE , WHETHER THE GENIE WOULD OPERATE FROM ANOTHER POSITION , NEXT THING I KNEW THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY, BETWEEN 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR IN REVERSE NEXT TO OUR BUILDING'S GARAGES . MY CAR ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE I SLAMMED INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE , WHICH WAS 4 DOORS DOWN FROM MY OWN GARAGE . MY ACCELERATOR WAS ESSENTIALLY, FROZEN...A RUNAWAY ACCELERATOR. SIMILIAR INSTANCES WHILE I WAS IN THE DRIVE MODE , BUT JUST FOR QUITE , SHORT, TIMES.
Power Train
Filed Mar 2, 201984,300 milesMA
FEW WAYS AGO BUY THIS CAR HAS ONLY 84,300 MILES ....WHILE DRIVING TODAY SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION SIGN COMES AND CAR SLOW DOWN AND MAKING WEARED SOUNDS... GO TO ADVANCE AUTO PART TO SCAN THE MALFUNCTION SIGN AND AFTER SCANNING NO CODES COME BUT SHOWING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SO DON'T KNOW WHERE AND HOW MUCH ITS GOING TO COST TO FIX OR REPLACE TRANSMISSION. IF ANYONE HELP ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I LIVE IN MA ( WESTERN MA)
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jun 22, 201772,992 milesAL
INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR (AUTO DIMMING) BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF DUE TO A DEFECT THAT CAUSED A LIQUID TO LEAK AND CLOUD THE MIRROR. HAD TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO SEE OUT THE BACK. IT OCCURRED GRADUALLY OVER ABOUT A YEAR. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE CORNER AND EVENTUALLY IT COVERED THE WHOLE MIRROR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 2016MD
TAKATA RECALL.
Air Bags
Filed Jul 1, 201690,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power Train
Filed Mar 14, 2016100,000 milesCO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2015120,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Power Train
Filed Feb 8, 201550,000 milesNY
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001, THE TRANNY WAS NOT SHIFTING. SCARED MY WIFE SILLY. HAD LESS THAN 50000 MILES AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO ACURA FOR THIS ISSUE.THEY INSTALLED SOME KIND OF COOLER DEVICE RELATED TO TRANNY ISSUE. $3000 LATER FOR A TRANNY REPAIR AT A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND ACURA REFUSED TO FOOT THE BILL. NO MORE ACURAS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS- IN THE POCKET BOOK! *JS
Power Train
Filed Nov 6, 2013200,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERKED VIOLENTLY AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TCS AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE SECONDARY GEAR DID NOT EXHIBIT DISCOLORATION AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS O 200,000.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.