2001 Acura TL recalls and problems

The 2001 Acura TL has 3 safety recalls and 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
149
Crashes / fires
8 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Acura TL vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Acura TL recalls

Recall 20V-027: Air Bags

Reported Jan 17, 2020 · 875,966 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-176: Power Train

Reported Apr 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 01V-166: Seat Belts

Reported Aug 14, 2001 · 8,168 vehicles affected · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.

Fix: 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.

2001 Acura TL problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train103
Air Bags15
Vehicle Speed Control10
Visibility7
Engine and Engine Cooling5
Electrical System5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Tires3
Seat Belts2
Unknown or Other2
Suspension2
Structure2

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 87
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Visibility › Windshield — 2
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint — 2
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior — 2
  • Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 82,373 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Acura TL complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Jan 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 · reported Sep 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 · at 163,000 miles · reported Sep 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 · reported Aug 28, 2020
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 · reported May 29, 2020
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.

Other Acura TL years

Compare all Acura TL years · All Acura models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Acura TL have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Acura TL: 20V-027 (air bags), 04V-176 (power train), 01V-166 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Acura TL?

Owners report power train problems most often (103 reports), followed by air bags (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 82,373 miles.

Are Acura recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Acura dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.