The Lemon Index
200020022nd generation
68 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 BMW 3 Series 1272001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 402001 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2001 Acura TL
- Transmission failure46 complaintsmostly at 37,000–108,000 miles (60,000–174,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 50,000–98,000 miles (80,000–158,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura TL (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 43,000 miles (44,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V027000 (airbags), 04V176000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 01V166002 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Acura sent dealers 168 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The front and rear motor mounts make a thump noise when the engine is first started after…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 68 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 43K miles (44K to 69K km) on the car (24 of all 68 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Acura 3.2 tl delivered on march, 2002. Transmission failed april, 2002. Transmission failed once again on feburary 2003.
2001 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10005166
More owner reports
While driving vehicle hesitates to shift gears.then it will jerk into gear, causing vehicle to launch forward. Also does this in reverse gear. Contacted dealer. Had transmission replaced 2 twice, problem reoccurred.
NHTSA complaint 8015712
These acuras are having a major problem, someone needs to step in before someone gets hurt driving them when a transmission goes or something else.
NHTSA complaint 759032
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 168 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The front and rear motor mounts make a thump noise when the engine is first started after…
- V6 engine oil leaks
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2004
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 LEADIN…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedAutomatic transmission sudden downshift2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Every Acura TL year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2001" title="Acura TL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tl/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Acura TL reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (79%), engine (6%) and speed control (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura TL have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2001 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 43,000 miles (44,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2001 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2001 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 79% of its owner complaints.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2001?
Nearby, the 2000 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works