CarComplaints.com Notes: The automatic transmission on the 2nd generation CL (2001-2003) is a downshifting mess. According to reports it slips, flares, and eventually fails --- sometimes around 40,000 miles.

The troubled transmission got an extended warranty for some CL owners that was later extended even further thanks to a class-action lawsuit in the United States. But even with the extended warranty, the transmission in this car is well known for overheating and locking up suddenly and without warning.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,119 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Acura CL seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2001 Acura CL Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #7

Jul 182013

CL

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The odps sensor fails if, according to Acura, someone places a cell phone, laptop computer etc. On the passenger seat. This sensor may also fail if someone plugs something into the accessory charging port in the console. According to Acura this is " due to the manufacturing process at the time, the opds control unit, and /or opds may fail prematurely." This condition causes the SRS light to be on and when this light is on the airbags will not deploy. This is a huge safety issue as no warning about doing any of these is ever mentioned by Acura. If someone puts a laptop or cell phone on the seat it could cause a condition in which the airbags won't deploy. Repairs are over $500 when this happens. At minimum Acura should be required to place a sticker/ warning of this condition in their cars. This has been a problem on all Acura cars and could cause a death.

- Hinckley , OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 072012

CL

  • 117,178 miles
My SRS light turned on a few days ago, so I went into mullers woodfiled Acura in hoffman estates, il. For them to diagnose the issue, they charged me $130 and told me that opds control unit needs to be replaced and it will cost me close to $800 with a managers discount. This opds unit had a manufacturers extended warranty which ran for 10years and expired sometime in 2010/2011. Now that it is out of warranty, I have to pay for this by myself. I did call Acura/Honda client relations/customer service hotline and the customer service rep: [xxx] who opened up a case #[xxx], did assist me by apologizing but somehow did not even offer me a discount. I am very disappointed with Honda/Acura for this warranty issue because I did not replace this opds unit because my SRS light never turned on, am I supposed to purposely turn it on before the warranty expired to get the opds unit replaced? I believe it should be replaced at least once for everyone that ever owned a Honda/Acura model that had a similar issue. I would appreciate it if someone could get back to me to direct me to right person that could assist me with this issue and/or open up a case against Honda/Acura to help resolve this issue. Thank you information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 012010

CL

  • 206,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura Cl. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the light was turned off and the system was reset. The light continued to illuminate constantly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 206,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #4

Dec 152001

CL

  • 17,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns 2001 Acura Cl. He stated that two of the front seat belts did not retract and became stuck. The contact noticed that the seat belts were not functioning when the vehicle was purchased. The air bag light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer ten times but the dealer could find the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. The current mileage was approximately 164,000.

- Winston Salem , NC, USA

problem #3

Dec 012002

CL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2001 Acura Cl with transmission problems (slipping)** the consumer stated he was not having problems with the transmission at the time when a letter was received regarding possible automatic transmission problems with certain 2001-2001 Acura's, however he was experiencing SRS wiring problems in Dec 2002. The transmission problems didn't began until December 2003, which resulted in having a re-manufactured transmission installed. The consumer stated there was never a mention of engine mount problems or replacement in the notice that was received in 2002. 4 years later the consumer began to experience more problems, the transmission was replaced, 11 days later more problems had surfaced with the second transmission and upon inspection, the front engine mounts needed to be replaced. The consumer believed there was a direct relationship between the front engine mounts and the transmission problems he experienced. The engine mounts should have been replaced the first time the transmission started to exhibit a problem.

- Conroe, TX, USA

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problem #2

Jun 052003

CL

  • miles
Consumer states that air bag warning light stays on while driving.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 202002

(reported on)

CL

  • miles
The air bag casing popped twice and the air bag was replaced.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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