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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,642 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Acura TL:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2000 Acura TL Owner Comments

problem #8

Jun 022013

TL 6-cyl

  • 153,700 miles

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

Today June 2, 2013, my 2000 Acura 32tl had sudden acceleration that resulted in a crash with a parked vehicle on the road while I was backing out of the driveway. After hitting the parked car, I tried to pull the car forward and tried to stop. Instead, it started moving forward uncontrollably, even though I was pushing on the brake pedal. I lost control of the vehicle to stop. It took control and started moving forward through road, driveway and neighboring lawn. I steered for about 100 feet and hit the corner of the neighboring home and finally stopped. It was for about 5 seconds of frightening moment that my family and I went through. It was sunny and 85 deg F. the car had severe damages on back and front bumpers. Tire marks on the road, driveway, and lawn, plus property damage to the corner of the house were sustained. Front airbags deployed and hit my wife and I in the face. I am wondering if there are ongoing investigations by NHTSA on similar incidents. Please advise.

- Bedford, MA, USA

problem #7

May 312012

TL 6-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
Was driving my vehicle which I just purchased on May 26th 2012, and my car began to have shifting problems in 2nd and third gear racing rpms and would not stay engaged in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gear and violently downshifted into second gear at freeway speeds causing me even restrained by the seat beat to fly into the steering wheel and windsheild bumping my head and hurting my back due to whip lash. This occurrence happened several times. Then the D5 would start flashing and check engine light became lite. After calling Acura customer care, brian informed me of the recall that had to do with this matter and was supposedly fixed. My car is unsafe to drive because of the rapid change of speed at the cars desire. I could injure not just myself but others around me.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Feb 282007

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,439 miles

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

I tried to put my car in reverse after starting it one day to no avail. I placed a screw driver in the shift lock position as the owner's manual stated. I called the Acura dealership and told them the problem. They didn't have a loaner car available and asked me to come in a day later. On my way to the dealership for my appointment the next day, I had complete brake failure while going 65 miles an hour on a tollway. The next 14 miles I tried to get the car to slow down. I tried to shift to neutral and put the car in accessory, but nothing worked including the emergency brake. In fact the car accelerated without me ever touching the accelerator. Finally I exited off the highway and purposely wrecked the car to avoid injury to others at such a high rate of speed. The car was on fire when I finally stopped. Luckily I was alive. I broke my foot and popped 2 vertebrae in my neck.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 212005

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer stated that he owns a 2000 Acura TL. He stated while driving, the accelerator became stuck and caused an accident. The consumer has heard of other complaints such as a Acura MDX with the same engine. Both vehicle was in the body shop at the same time for the same problem. The consumer stated that he had both feet on the brake and he still could not stop the vehicle, the only reason why he stopped was because he hit a tree.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 132005

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
Recently, even when driving at about 35 miles an hour and came to a crossroad and braked, the car kept accelarating. Despite having the brakes pressed the car was behaving like a wild Bronco. Even when I shifted the automatic gear to park, the engine was racing. After I put of the ignition & then re-started, the problem disappeared.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #2

Nov 012003

TL

  • miles
While driving the vehicle's transmission failed. The vehicle was on the highway when the incident occurred. The vehicle felt like it was thrown violently forward and caused the rear of the vehicle to rise.

- Jenison, MI, USA

problem #1

May 152001

TL

  • miles
While traveling at approximately 70 mph on highway vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own, going up to 110 mph and would have continued higher. Consumer had to stand on brakes to get vehicle to slow down to 70 mph, when she turned vehicle off. Dealership informed consumer that throttle plate could have caused this defect, and that component was currently on backorder. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Eatontown, NJ, USA

Not what you are looking for?