2001 Acura TL Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Acura TL, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission8955.6%
- Airbags159.4%
- Powertrain (other)148.8%
- Driver assistance95.6%
- Visibility85.0%
- Engine63.8%
- Brakes53.1%
- Electrical53.1%
- Tires & wheels31.9%
- Suspension21.3%
- Seat belts21.3%
- Body & structure21.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION JERKS AND BUCKS WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED JUST PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO BACK INTO HIS DRIVEWAY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THERE WAS SOME SMOKE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FLUID WAS LEAKING IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED RECALL # 04V17600 WAS ISSUED, BUT HONDA WAS NOT FORTHCOMING ABOUT THE RECALL AND WHETHER IT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 05/01/12
THE D5 ON THE TRANSMISSION STARTED BLINKING, THE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TCS LIGHT. THE SHIFT FROM LOWER TO HIGHER SPEEDS WAS BIT JERKY OR SLOW. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK-UP. ON DIAGNOSTICS, HE GAVE ME THE CODES P1739 AND P1750. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION - COST 4200$. THIS PROBLEM WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN A 2002 MEMO FROM ACURA , HOWEVER, IN MY CASE, THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP AT THIS MILEAGE AND I AM NOT COVERED. I SPOKE WITH AAMCO WHICH APPARENTLY ACURA DOES NOT ENDORSE AND THEY SAID THAT TORQUE FAILURE IS COMMON ON HONDA TRANSMISSIONS. *KB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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)
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS SLIPPING AT 2ND GEAR, AS A RESULT OF WHICH THE RPM GOES HIGH BUT IT DOESN'T MATCH THE SPEED OF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION AS PER THE RECALL WAS FIXED IN THE YEAR 2004 , BUT THE PROBLEM AROSE AGAIN AND ITS HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE TRANSMISSION IS 5K AS PER THE DEALER & THE SAME HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE ACURA CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEIR SIDE. I WOULD BE HIGHLY GRATIFIED TO SEE A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM YOUR SIDE. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE AC/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FAN CONNECTOR AND FAN HAD BURNED UP. UPDATED 10/07/11
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT, WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FAN MOTOR FAILED CAUSING THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 06/19/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA TL. THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER ONLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB
I HAD A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE CAR HEADING WELL OVER 100 MPH ON THE PA TURNPIKE. NOTHING IN CAR RESPONDED - BRAKES, EMERGENCY BRAKE, GEAR SHIFTING...HAD TO TURN OFF CAR TO STOP IT! ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED. CAR WAS TOWED THIS MORNING (2 DAYS AFTER SITUATION) AND IS NOW AT DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAID THAT ALL WAS FINE - THE BATTERY COVER LOOKED OUT OF PLACE. I JUST HAD THIS CAR IN LAST WEEK FOR THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, LET ALONE HAVE MY DAUGHTER DRIVE IT. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER TODAY.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACURA FAN MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION SAW THE CONNECTOR FROM THE FAN MOTOR MELTED INSIDE. ITS A SURE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, NO AIR WOULD BLOW FROM THE VENTS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE AC/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FAN CONNECTOR AND FAN HAD BURNED UP. UPDATED 10/07/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A VERY SERIOUS TIRE DEFICIENCY PROBLEM AND THAT THE TIRES ARE PROPRIETARY AND CANNOT BE EXCHANGED WITH OTHER TIRE MANUFACTURERS GIVEN THEIR SIZES, TWO TIRES HAVE BEEN SLASHED, ONCE DUE TO PARKING BY A CURB AND THE SECOND BY RIDING OVER A STONE THE SIZE OF A FIST, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACURA CERTIFIED, THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE BALL JOINT CAME APART, CAUSING THE COLLAPSE OF THE SUSPENSION, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS AROUND 10-15 MPH. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE PART NUMBER IS 51210-S84-A02 , SUPERSEDED BY ACURA PART 51210-S84-305. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER SEEING MY SEAT BELT LIGHT ON FOR A LONG TIME, I DISCOVERED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V166002. I CALLED THE ACURA NUMBER LISTED, AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD AND HAS SERVICED MY CAR, AND BOTH ARE STATING THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THESE SEAT BELTS. I VERIFIED THEY KNEW MY CAR WAS A 2001 ACURA TL, AND SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS. *TR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACURA FAN MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION SAW THE CONNECTOR FROM THE FAN MOTOR MELTED INSIDE. ITS A SURE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
MY 2001 ACURA TL WITH 162,000 MILES HAS A SUBFRAME THAT IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WEAKENED TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ACURA HAS DECIDED TO CALL THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSING UNIT HAS A SMALL HOSE FOR CONDENSATE THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SITE OF THE RUST. THIS HOSE HAS BEEN DRIPPING ONTO THE SUBFRAME WHENEVER THE AC HAS BEEN IN USE. THIS IS NOT WEAR AND TEAR, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ACURA IS NOT OWNING UP TO AND IF THE WEAKENED SUBFRAME WERE TO BREAK WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN THIS WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE OTHER PARTS OF THE SUBFRAME ARE IN FINE CONDITION, THERE IS ONLY ONE EXPLANATION WHY IT WOULD BE RUSTED OUT IN THIS ONE PLACE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .