CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1999-2003 Acura TL has a known & widespread defect with the transmission.

Honda fixed some vehicles with a recall in 2004 by changing the oil cooler return line. To settle a class action lawsuit in 2006, Honda extended the transmission warranty on some of these Acura TL's to 93 months / 109,000 miles.

Now these vehicles are past the warranty limit, so buyer beware.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,746 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.

2000 Acura TL electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Acura TL Owner Comments

problem #15

Feb 122020

TL 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles

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

At the time of this text, the car is at an Acura service center. The interior has become soaked with water affecting the battery & possibly other components. The continuous problem, creating a damp & very wet interior, has caused mold to form everywhere inside the car, I am a severe asthmatic & this has been extremely detrimental to my health. I will be providing documentation as soon as I receive it.

- Lyman, SC, USA

problem #14

Oct 312015

TL

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. On several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #13

May 152015

TL

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. The contact stated that while at a stop and attempting to park the vehicle, the contact was able to remove the key from the ignition while the gear shifter was in the drive position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Excelsior, MN, USA

problem #12

Sep 152014

TL

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light continuously illuminated.the failure recurred each time the vehicle was started. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V080000 (air bags). The contact also stated that the vehicle would not start until after several attempts. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V025000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 112009

TL 6-cyl

  • miles
We can take the key out of the ignition when the car is in gear causing the car to roll. This is one of the things that is being recalled. Also our SRS light is lite on the dash. Our auto manual indicates this is a airbag problem and needs attention by a dealer. We called Acura (11/03/2014) at 1-800-382-2238 and talk to danelle. We were told our VIN number does have a recall for these items. Do we have to have to pay for this because our VIN number isn't on the list" if other Acura's with our year and model is having a problem why isn't ours on the recall list"

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #10

May 012006

TL

  • miles
My 2000 Acura TL has an ignition switch problem. I have contacted Acura several times to fix the problem but Acura will only pay for half the cost of repair. This is clearly a defective manufacturing issue but they refuse to accept full responsibility. The danger is the key can be removed without engaging the car in park. The car can roll and injure or kill someone.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #9

May 312006

TL 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles

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

American Honda to recall vehicles to repair ignition interlocks certain 1997 to 2002 Honda and Acura vehicles affected torrance, calif., February 1, 2005 -- american Honda motor co., Inc. Today announced a voluntary recall of certain Honda and Acura models to repair ignition switch interlocks. The interlock is intended to prevent removal of the ignition key unless the shift lever is placed in the "park" position. Some interlock levers may be improperly dimensioned, which could allow the operator to switch the ignition off and remove the key without putting the shift lever in the "park" position. The recall involves approximately 486,000 automatic transmission equipped vehicles - manual transmission equipped vehicles are not affected. Included in the recall are certain 1999 to 2002 Honda Accord models and all 1997 to 2001 Prelude models. Also included in the recall are certain 1999 to 2000 Acura TL sedans. American Honda will contact owners of affected vehicles when parts are available and ask them to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer to be repaired free of charge. Prior to the vehicle being repaired, drivers should follow the parking procedure in the owner's manual: Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission to the "park" position before exiting the vehicle. Details regarding mailing dates and affected vehicles will be available on the Honda and Acura web sites on February 4, 2005. Owners will be able to access this information by registering at the "owner link" section of www.Honda.com or www.Acura.com and entering the 17-digit vehicle identification number. Customers may also contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer service at (800) 999-1009 or Acura customer service at (800) 382-2238. There have been eleven incidents resulting in minor property damage related to this issue.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 072012

TL 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
NHTSA campaign number: 05V025000 I took the car in to crown Acura in greensboro, nc about 2 months ago. We have had several incidents of removing the key while the car is in drive and the car rolling. There were no accidents or injury. I wanted them to correct the issue and gave them the recall number. They said that our car is not covered by the recall although safercar.gov clearly says it is. Please help.

- Mcleansville, NC, USA

problem #7

Jan 012008

TL 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
My key can be pulled from the ignition without first putting the shifter in park. If the emergency brake isn't applied the car can roll but cannot be steered. It is dangerous. Acura and Honda have a number of recalls for this issue, including some 2000 TL vins but apparently doesn't include my VIN under the recall. The description of the recall exactly matches my symptoms and it is a serious safety issue and a very expensive repair. Onset date and mileage are approximate. I've been living with this problem for years hoping that Acura would eventually recognize that they are responsible for this and pay for the repair.

- Camas, WA, USA

problem #6

Sep 282012

TL 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
When turning car off ignition transmission interlock failed and the car was left in neutral and after exiting car it rolled backward (on a hillside) & hit parked truck. Very risky! I didn't know that Acura TL had prior years (thru 99) that were recalled. Also Honda had other models in later years with the same problem. Called national Honda 800 and they verified not covered. I had fixed, but Honda is putting public at risk!

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 012011

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL. The contact stated that when activating the air conditioner, no air would blow from the vents. Upon further inspection, he found that the electrical connector was melted and causing the failure. The contact repaired the vehicle by replacing the connector and blower motor. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 9/27/11 the consumer stated the electrical connector burned and melted as well as the fan. Updated 10/07/11

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #4

Mar 312010

TL

  • miles
2000 Acura TL. Consumer states unintended acceleration causing a crash. As the consumer backed out from a parking space and proceeded to drive, the vehicle accelerated out of control with fierce force and speed and spun around in circles several times. Finally, the vehicle hit a post in the parking lot. The momentum caused the consumer to hit two parked cars. The police were called, however they had no authority to investigate since the accident happened on private property. An inspection of the vehicle was ordered, but nothing was found wrong.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #3

Oct 202008

TL

  • 113,000 miles
Ignition key switch intermittently works and then does not; causing the car to stall or not start. The car can be induced to start by shaking (vibrating) the keys while the key is in the ignition switch slot. This has the same symptoms as the Honda recall of the 1999 Acura TL & cl's (along with various other Honda models). The symptoms that led to the previous recall caused the car to stall during operation putting the driver (& passengers) at risk of an accident. My vehicle is a 2000 Acura TL and thus not covered by the recall.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #2

Aug 142008

TL

  • 110,400 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine maintenance check. He mentioned that he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) for his year, make, and model vehicle. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was concerned that the electronic ignition system would be in the drive position and he would be able to remove the key from the ignition, possibly resulting in the vehicle rolling. The contact was indeed able to remove the key from the ignition while the gear was in drive. The dealer stated that he would get back to the contact regarding the repair and cover the cost if it was less than $150. The current and failure mileages were approximately 110,400.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1

Aug 092006

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,783 miles
Opd passenger voltage issue causing SRS restraint system to fail. Known issues with all makes and models from 1999 to present.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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