The 2001 Acura CL has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission slipping and sudden downshift.” Acura's Maintenance Minder calculates oil life from real engine conditions and shows service codes instead of fixed mileages — code A or B (oil / oil + inspection) plus sub-codes for items like tire rotation (1), air filters (2), or transmission fluid (3). Follow the codes, not the calendar. One interval you should never stretch: most Acura 3.5L V6 engines (MDX, TL) use a timing belt with a roughly 105,000-mile / 7-year replacement — a snapped belt on this interference engine means bent valves. SH-AWD models add a rear-differential fluid service that's essential for the torque-vectoring unit.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Acura CL.
POWER TRAIN
63 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2024-09
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY 2001 ACURA CL TYPE S DOWNSHIFTED INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW ABRUPTLY AND SWERVE”
“WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND THE FAILED AND DOWN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR”
“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FIFTH TO SECOND GEAR. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DECREASED TO 40 MPH”
POWER TRAIN
74 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2021-12
“NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V176000 - RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 ACURA CL-S VEHICLE”
“CAR WAS FITTED WITH REPAIR PART BUT DID NOT PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING AGAIN OVER TIME & MILES FROM DRIVING”
“RECALL (04V176000) PERFORMED, 50 MILES DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED VIOLENTLY DOWN SHIFTING IN TRAFFIC TO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AT SPEEDS OF 40 TO 60 MPH”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2018-04
“THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN TURN COMPLETELY OFF WHILE THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK”
“THE SWITCH CAN BE TURNED TO OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED WITHOUT HAVING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK”
“THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK IS NOT WORKING THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO AND I AM ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK”
VISIBILITY
5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-07 → 2008-10
“MIRROR BECAME CLOUDY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE LEAKED FROM REAR VIEW MIRROR”
“THE FLUID HAS ETCHED HIS VEHICLE CONSOLE AND THE MIRROR IS NOW DISCOLORED”
“THERE IS A GREY TYPE OF FILM IN THE MIRROR AND OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR APPEAR DOUBLED”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4 NHTSA complaints · 2004-01 → 2004-12
“2001 ACURA CL TYPE S, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPING: AT 34000 MILES, THE BRAKE DISCS HAD WARPED”
“WHILE BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED”
“BASICALLY DURING NORMAL RAPID BRAKING THE CL'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES RAPIDLY”
SUSPENSION
3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2015-09
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM RUSTED OUT”
“THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IS ROTTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONER OUTPUT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FRAME DRIPPING ON IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE”
AIR BAGS
8 NHTSA complaints · 2020-03 → 2020-09
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WAS UNAVAILABLE”
“A RECALL WAS ISSUED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO FOR MY AIRBAGS. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FROM ACURA (I FOUND OUT ON THE WEB)”
AIR BAGS
12 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2019-03
“THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOR NO REASON. GO TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED AND THERE IS NO CODE FOR THE AIRBAG”
“WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT LIT UP”
“THE ODPS SENSOR FAILS IF, ACCORDING TO ACURA, SOMEONE PLACES A CELL PHONE, LAPTOP COMPUTER ETC. ON THE PASSENGER SEAT”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the Maintenance Minder reaches 15% oil life or shows code A/B — typically every 7,500-10,000 miles with 0W-20 synthetic. Short-trip city driving triggers the code sooner; that's the algorithm doing its job.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
J-series V6: replace the timing belt around 105,000 miles or 7 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 4). It's an interference engine — a failed belt destroys valves. Replace the water pump and tensioner in the same job. (2022+ MDX 3.5L remains belt-driven; the Integra's turbo four is chain-driven.)
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Rotate when sub-code 1 appears — roughly every 7,500 miles. SH-AWD models: keep tread depths matched across all four corners.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and fluid level with every A/B service. Type S models with Brembo front calipers: pads wear faster and cost more — budget ahead.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace every 3 years regardless of mileage — Honda/Acura schedules this on time because the fluid absorbs moisture.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace ATF when sub-code 3 appears — commonly every 30,000-60,000 miles depending on duty. Use Honda/Acura ATF only (DW-1, or the 10-speed's specified fluid); aftermarket 'universal' ATF causes shudder in these gearboxes.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
SH-AWD (MDX, TLX, RDX): replace the rear differential fluid roughly every 30,000 miles (sub-code 6) — the torque-vectoring clutch packs run in this fluid, and whining or binding in tight turns is the classic overdue symptom.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Iridium plugs around 100,000 miles on most models. Turbocharged Integra/ADX engines: check the manual — forced induction typically shortens the interval.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace with sub-code 2, roughly every 30,000 miles — sooner in dusty conditions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace with sub-code 2 alongside the engine air filter. Behind the glovebox — an easy DIY on most Acuras.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Honda/Acura Type 2 coolant: first change around 10 years / 100,000 miles, then every 5 years / 50,000. Use the blue Type 2 coolant only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
77 crashes 1990–2024
How the 77 occupant deaths break down
53
driver deaths
24
passenger deaths
77
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
13
complaints mentioning a crash
2
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Acura CL reflects Acura's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.