NHTSA Complaint #10329442 — 2001 ACURA CL

2001 ACURA CLS (VIN [XXX]). WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD (55MPH) WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE CAR PAUSED AS THE TRANS SLIPPED, THE ENGINE REVVED TO 5000 RPM, THE TRANS THEN LOCKED INTO GEAR, THE TIRES SQUEALED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THANK GOD THAT MY WIFE DIDN'T RUN INTO SOMEONE OR LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOW I READ THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND TRANSMISSION. THE NHTSA KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS OFFERED. HOWEVER NOTHING WAS DONE TO MAKE OWNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SAFER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AT A MINIMUM THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE MANDATED ACURA TO WARN OWNERS, AND MANDATE ACURA TO PERFORM MORE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS ON THIS POORLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION, AND PERHAPS MORE FREQUENT FLUID CHANGES. I READ THAT THE NHTSA WAS CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL ACTION ON THIS ISSUE AND HOPE YOU DO. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ALLOWING A 240 HP CAR ON THE ROAD WITH THIS TYPE OF KNOWN FAILURE IS UNSAFE TO OWNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN MY VIEW. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR