2001 Acura TL: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 149 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (67% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2025
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“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!”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
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.
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. 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact TL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Acura TL reliable?
NHTSA has 149 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Acura TL. The most complained-about area is power train (67% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Acura TL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,937 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Acura TL have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.