The 2001 Acura TL factory service and repair manual is matched to the single powertrain this car was built with, the 3.2L SOHC V6, and to the one Base Sedan 4-Door trim it was offered in, so the specifications and sequences are the correct ones for your engine and trim.
Engines
- 3.2L V6 — 3210cc (196 cu in), SOHC, naturally aspirated, gas
Trims
- Base Sedan 4-Door
Known issues on the 2001 TL. Four recalls are on federal record for this model year: improperly manufactured front seat belt buckles that may leave an occupant not properly restrained in a crash, a follow-up front buckle recall covering cars repaired with incorrect replacement parts and carrying the same restraint risk, a driver-side frontal air bag inflator that can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, and an automatic transmission gear failure that can cause transmission lockup and lead to a crash. Owners have filed 163 complaints and Acura has issued 161 technical service bulletins for the year. This manual carries the factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems.
From a scheduled fluid service to a transmission teardown or a restraint-system inspection, it keeps you on the factory procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2001 TL.
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.
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.
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.
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 VEHICLE
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
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.
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.
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 L
Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
Sending vehicle data to tech line.
Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Service bulletin - You are required to install a remanufactured A/T (automatic transmission) and torque converter on any vehicle with an internal failure that calls for A/T disassembly that is covered under any of the programs listed.
Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION.
Showing the 8 most recent of 168 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
AFTER REAR-END COLLISION (MY FAULT ON SLICK PAVEMENT, GOING EST. 15 MPH WHERE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED FOR AT LEAST 15-20 FEET) THE FRONT END OF MY CAR SIMPLY HAD A DENTED FRONT END AND GRILL AND LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) HEADLIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER A SMALL FLAME BROKE OUT AROUND THIS BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND THE FLAME QUICKLY GREW BEFORE THE FIRE ENGINES COULD GET THERE, W/IN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE AND THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SE
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO CAR ACCIDENTS WHERE I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN THE SECOND ACCIDENT MY CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB
I DROVE MY CAR OUT THE GARAGE INTO THE COMMON ALLEY IN REVERSE, ONCE OUT THE GARAGE. WHEN I WAS OUT OF GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR WITH THE GENIE , AND THE GARAGE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE . I DROVE THE CAR FURTHER AWAY FROM THE GARAGE/BUILDING IN REVERSE TO DETERMINE , WHETHER THE GENIE WOULD OPERATE FROM ANOTHER POSITION , NEXT THING I KNEW THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY, BETWEEN 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR IN REVERSE NEXT TO OUR BUILDING'S GARAGES . MY CAR ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE I
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 25 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, UPPER BODY, LEFT EYE AND NECK VERTEBRAE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE
CONSUMER WAS BARELY GOING 2MPH IN A DRIVEWAY ALMOST STOPPED AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS PRATICALLY STANDING ON BRAKES, USING THE LEFT FOOT AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING IT DEMOLISHED A BRICK PUMP HOUSE, A CONCRETE BIRD BATH, AND AND 2 TREES. NO CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE WITH DEALER. VEHICLE HAS OVER $9800 WORTH OF DAMAGES.*AK *SLC
FRONT ROTORS WARP DUE TO METALLIC BRAKE PADS UNDER NORMAL USE RESULTING IN INCREASE OF NORMAL BRAKING DISTANCE *AK
AIRBAG SIGN REMAINED LIT AS I STARTED DRIVING FROM DRIVEWAY INTO STREET. ABOUT 20 FEET ON THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I WAS ENGULFED BY SMOKE, LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE IN FRONT OF MY NEIGHVBOR'S HOUSE.*AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WANTED TO SEE THE CAR TO LOOK AT IT, BUT CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO. PH
MY ACURA 2001 3.2TL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSON WAS STARTED BY TURNING ON THE IGNITION. AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED, WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE CAR TOOK OFF IN REVERSE. STEPPING ON THE BRAKE DIDN'T SLOW DOWN THE CAR, NEITHER DID SHIFTING THE GEARS. THE ONLY WAY THE CAR STOPPED WAS WHEN IT HIT THE FENCE AND HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CAR, WELL OVER $7000. I CALLED ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND STATED THAT ACURA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT. THEY DIDN'
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT, WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FAN MOTOR FAILED CAUSING THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 06/19/06. *JB
I ALSO HAVE HAD SOME MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MY ORGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE GOING APPRX. 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO DOWN SHIFT INTO PARK OR FIRST GEAR. THIS PROBLEM CAME WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AT THOSE SPEEDS YOU CAN ONLY EMAGINE WHAT MY BACK AND NECK FELT LIKE, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE CARS THAT WERE SKIDDING BEHIND ME ATTEMPING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE YOUR SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING. THE TRANSMISSIO
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING SPEED OF VEHICLE DROPPED FROM 70MPH TO 10 MPH. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
2001 ACURA 3.2TL WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER INSTALLED OIL JET KIT INFORMED ON THE RECALL. THEY ALSO SAY THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, HE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SHIFT CHANGES, AND GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER 2-4 MONTHS LATER THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ERRATIC SHIFTING AND A FEELING OF GEAR SLIPPAGE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS AND REALLY LIKE IT. MY PROBLEM IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FREQUENTLY LIGHTS UP? IT HAPPENS IF THE SEAT IS EMPTY, A PURSE IS THERE OR SOMEONE IS SITTING THERET BY THE VIN IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED, RESEAN BEING - OVER 50 TRANSMISSIONS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THAT GOSE TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP...ZIA YUSUF
Showing the 15 most serious of 162 complaints filed with NHTSA.
