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.

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,790 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2001 Acura CL Owner Comments

problem #4

Apr 122017

CL

  • 93,000 miles

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

My car is having the transmission problems its consent want to shift in 3rd gear, and the front suspension is making a lot of cradling and clsnking while driving over tiny bumpss

- Brooks, OR, USA

problem #3

Aug 272015

CL

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle identification no. (VIN): 19uya42441A... summary: 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. The frame on the driver side is ok and showing no signs of rust. I feel this is an engineering issue not caused by normal wear and tear. Acura local service and corporate representatives do not disagree with my conclusion but will not offer any repair compensation to have the sub-frame replaced. I discovered it when inspecting the front brakes with the front wheel removed. Otherwise, it would not have been known until a catastrophic frame collapse.they said the frame seemed to be structurally sound at this time but it definitely will need replacement in the near future. They said they found only two other complaints about this but a service person told me it is a common problem with 01 to 04 Cl's. Acura told me that because of the vehicle age, no compensation can be offered. I am a loyal Acura customer having purchased 4 of their vehicles in the past, the present one a 2015 tlx model. This didn't seem to matter to the Acura corporate representative. My hope is that by identifying the above problem, it will help preserve present and future Acura buyers and save an accident caused by a frame collapse with loss of steering control. Since it is a safety concern caused by an engineering deficiency, I feel Acura should agree to support all or some repair costs and notify current owners of this issue. I have pictures of affected area.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #2

Aug 272015

CL

  • 138,000 miles
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. The frame on the driver side is ok and showing no signs of rust. I feel this is an engineering issue not caused by normal wear and tear. Acura local service and corporate representatives do not disagree with my conclusion but will not offer any repair compensation to have the sub-frame replaced. I discovered it when inspecting the front brakes with the front wheel removed. Otherwise, it would not have been known until a catastrophic frame collapse.they said the frame seemed to be structurally sound at this time but it definitely will need replacement in the near future. They said they found only two other complaints about this but a service person told me it is a common problem with 01 to 04 Cl's. Acura told me that because of the vehicle age, no compensation can be offered. I am a loyal Acura customer having purchased 4 of their vehicles in the past, the present one a 2015 tlx model. This didn't seem to matter to the Acura corporate representative. My hope is that by identifying the above problem, it will help preserve present and future Acura buyers and save an accident caused by a frame collapse with loss of steering control. Since it is a safety concern caused by an engineering deficiency, I feel Acura should agree to support all or some repair costs and notify current owners of this issue.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #1

Nov 172006

CL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,160 miles
While in traffic and moving at approximately 1- to 20 mph, the wheel caved in and tilted sideways, damaging the left front fender. The car was undrivable and was towed to the nearest auto repair shop. Paul's motors 845 471-4240. The ball joint and axle were replaced. The fender damage will be repaired at the body shop. The tire was also damaged and was replaced.

- Bronx, NY, USA

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