CarRecallDB

2001 Acura TL recalls and problems

3 recalls and 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura TL.

3
recalls
148
owner complaints
8
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Acura TL recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 20V027000 · reported January 17, 2020 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 875,966 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · reported April 15, 2004 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 1,099,796 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The 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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V166002 · reported August 14, 2001 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. · 8,168 vehicles potentially affected

The 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."
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 13, 2026 · Air bags

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…

Jan 5, 2021 · Air bags · 190,000 miles

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 [phone removed]. DURING THE RECALL REPAIR THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PARTS…

Sep 29, 2020 · Air bags

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!

Sep 18, 2020 · Power train · 163,000 miles

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.

Sep 11, 2020 · Air bags

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; [phone removed]) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART…

TL model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 6249183
2001 314882
2002 7333252
2003 5391244
2004 4551136

Across all years, the 2004 TL has the most complaints (551). All Acura TL years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Acura TL have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Acura TL, the most recent reported on January 17, 2020 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura TL?
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (102 complaints), followed by air bags (15).
How many 2001 Acura TL complaints mention a crash or fire?
8 of 148 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 13, 2026.