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Acura · Known Issues

2001 Acura CL Problems: 2 Known Issues

2001 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2001 Acura CL has 2 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000) and NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • CL Safety/Recalls2
  • Recalls7
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Safety/Recalls2
  • Recalls7
  • FAQ

All 2 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS20022001199919981997

On the 2001-2002 Acura CL, some 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL coupes had their driver frontal air bag module replaced at some point during a previous vehicle repair. According to NHTSA recall 20V027000, a manufacturing issue with those replacement NADI inflators lets the inflator absorb moisture over time. A moisture-affected inflator can rupture when the air bag fires, or the cushion can underinflate. Only 3.2CLs that actually received one of these replacement driver air bag modules are covered — an original, never-replaced air bag is not part of this campaign. The recall is a Honda/Acura campaign covering 875,966 vehicles in total across all makes and models included in it; that figure is campaign-wide and says nothing about how many CLs are involved.

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Acura dealer. The dealer inspects the driver frontal air bag in your CL and, where necessary, replaces the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design. Owner notification began with the recall launch on October 1, 2020, so if your CL changed hands you may never have received a letter — run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether 20V027000 is still open on your car. American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center can be reached at 1-888-234-2138.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 1998-2001 Acura CL, american Honda recalled the Acura CL coupe under NHTSA campaign 20V026000. The affected CLs are the 1998 2.2CL, the 1998-1999 2.3CL and 3.0CL, and the 2001 3.2CL. These cars left the factory with Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflators (NADI) — a design that does not use the phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant found in the separate PSAN inflator recalls. A manufacturing problem allows the NADI inflator to absorb moisture. If the car is in a crash that deploys the driver frontal airbag, the moisture-affected inflator can rupture and throw metal fragments at the driver or other occupants, or it can fail the other way and leave the airbag cushion underinflated so it does not properly protect the driver. Either outcome raises the risk of serious injury or death. The campaign as a whole covers 1,439,841 vehicles across many Honda, Acura and Isuzu models — that figure is campaign-wide, not a CL-specific count.

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Acura dealer. The dealer inspects the driver frontal airbag inflator and, if necessary, replaces it with an inflator of a different design. Owner notification began with the recall launch on October 1, 2020, so a car that has changed hands may never have had the letter reach its current owner — enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your CL is still open on this campaign. Questions can go to American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
NHTSA Recalls7 recalls

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Campaign #20V02600017/01/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Campaign #02V12000016/05/2002

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Acura CL problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2001 Acura CL has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000), NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Acura CL reliable?

The 2001 Acura CL has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000) and NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

What is the 2001-2002 Acura CL NADI Replacement Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Recall (NHTSA 20V027000)?

Some 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL coupes had their driver frontal air bag module replaced at some point during a previous vehicle repair. According to NHTSA recall 20V027000, a manufacturing issue with those replacement NADI inflators lets the inflator absorb moisture over time. A moist… Severity: high.

What is the 1998-2001 Acura CL NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) — 1998-1999 and 2001 CL?

American Honda recalled the Acura CL coupe under NHTSA campaign 20V026000. The affected CLs are the 1998 2.2CL, the 1998-1999 2.3CL and 3.0CL, and the 2001 3.2CL. These cars left the factory with Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflators (NADI) — a design that does not use the phase stab… Severity: high.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

Campaign #03V42300027/10/2003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Campaign #98V01800010/02/1998

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Campaign #20V02700017/01/2020

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