NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Acura TL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Acura TL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 148 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Acura dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Acura TL, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Acura TL owner complaints

Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Acura TL, describing incidents dated April 1, 2001 to November 15, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 102 complaints
Air Bags 15 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 8 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints

Of the 148 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 148 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11710808 · Filed January 13, 2026
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…
ODI #11386676 · Filed January 5, 2021
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…
ODI #11361877 · Filed September 29, 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…

Read all 148 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Acura TL in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE02-081: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT
Closed March 5, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V027000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 17, 2020 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 875,966 vehicles

Repair completion: 13.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign U6R, H6S · Owners notified October 1, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

HONDA/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA #04V176000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported April 15, 2004 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 1,099,796 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign P30/P31 · Owners notified April 27, 2004 · Vehicles built August 31, 2000 – February 16, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NOS. P30 (ODYSSEY AND PILOT),P31 (MDX), P38 (ACCORD) AND P39 (ACURA).CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

HONDA/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT BUCKLE

NHTSA #01V166002 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported August 14, 2001 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 8,168 vehicles

Owners notified August 20, 2001

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2001 Acura 3.2 TL 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

148 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura TL.

Air Bags

ODI #11710808

Incident: November 15, 2025 · Filed: January 13, 2026

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

ODI #11386676

Incident: October 23, 2020 · Filed: January 5, 2021

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

ODI #11361877

Incident: March 3, 2020 · Filed: September 29, 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!

Power Train

ODI #11359756

Incident: September 16, 2020 · Filed: September 18, 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11354475

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: September 11, 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

Air Bags

ODI #11352214

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: August 31, 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11351852

Incident: August 28, 2020 · Filed: August 28, 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 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

ODI #11326458

Incident: May 29, 2020 · Filed: May 29, 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11322559

Incident: April 28, 2020 · Filed: April 28, 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

Air Bags

ODI #11299934

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 26, 2019 · Filed: January 16, 2020

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.

Other Acura TL model years

Check your 2001 Acura TL VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Acura TL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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