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:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,567 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.

2002 Acura TL electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Acura TL Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 192019

TL

  • 157,672 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. While driving various speeds, the transmission warning indicator illuminated and the front driver's side window button failed to operate. Hinshaw's Acura (5955 20th St E, fife, wa 98424, (253) 922-8830) was informed of the transmission indicator and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 157,672.

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #9

Jun 022015

TL

  • miles
Car will no longer function properly/ poor driving.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #8

Jul 142015

TL 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that the keys were able to be removed from the ignition without the vehicle being shifted into park. The contact also stated that the vehicle crashed into two other vehicles while the vehicle was parked. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V423000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 9/25/15

- Collegeville, PA, USA

problem #7

Oct 012014

TL

  • 170,000 miles

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

First off my driver side power window has never worked. I changed my window motor with the regulator twice. That did not fix my window. I changed my drivers master window module twice. I checked all of the fuses and the power window fuses were good. My power window still doesn't work after $400 in parts and $400 in labor. I took my car to the Acura dealership because my car had a few recalls. The person helping me at the dealership was real rude and disrespectful. He told me the only recall I had was for my SRS airbag. He had to order the part. I haven't received a phone call from the dealership to let me know the part was in. Two weeks later I go in and check if the part was I N. the same person that helped me came up to me and had an attitude and was disrespectful again. He told me the part was in but they can't service it that day. They never communicated with me. Horrible service at [xxx] Acura. I told the service guy that my car does not want to come out of first gear and there was a recall on my transmission. He was real rude and told me that I had to pay $6000. I did a little research and my 02 Acura TL type S with my VIN number has many recalls. 1 for my air bags. 2. for my transmission 2nd gear. 3 for my drivers power window. I told this Acura service guy that I had recalls for all 3 things and he laughed at me. My cluster fuse keeps blowing and the code that comes up is for my transmission range sensor. 70+ people with an 02 Acura Tls have had the same issues as me. I just contacted Acura and they told me that the transmission has been completed. No recall has been done on my car. I need help please. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Gainesville, VA, USA

problem #6

Apr 012013

TL

  • 260,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that the air conditioning unit failed and would not blow hot or cold air. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the air condition fan motor. The contact re-inspected the vehicle and located additional damage to the fan motor cable, which had overheated and burned the motor wires and plastic plug in the unit. The manufacturer denied assistance with the repair costs. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 260,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #5

Oct 152012

TL 6-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
My headlight keeps blowing out, at $100 dollars everytime I replace the light it last about 3 wks and then blows out again, the other headlight flickers off and on, this is ridiculous. This is a severe safety concern because you never know when its going to go out.

- Millville, NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 022011

TL

  • 150,000 miles

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

Allege that vehicle airbag deployed causing the driver to be unable to control vehicle and/or including possible acceleration leading to a collision and/or seat belt restraint system. Received two recall notices and/or possible more than two. SRS light appeared to be activated prior to the incident. ( facts: Power inverter connected, other mobile electronics powered by vehicle's DC power supply, both driver and airbag were deployed, new car mount installation on passenger seat frame bolts)

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 172011

TL

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Acura 3.2tl. The contact stated that she could remove the keys from the ignition without the vehicle being shifted into park. On one occasion, the vehicle crashed into a garage door without the presence of the keys in the ignition. An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was awaiting a response. The manufacturer was also made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

problem #2

Jan 012002

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Random clicking noise coming from possibly radio or seat belts.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #1

May 192003

TL

  • miles
Intermittent chatter noise, like a relay clicking coming from radio. Seems to happen more when wet or high humidity. Security alarm system activated itself when car sitting out in rain. No one near car.

- Eagan, MN, USA

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