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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
40,890 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.
My trans. Was replaced in 2003 because of a shifting problem. My car was still under warranty, however, I was told that I would have to pay for the repair. I paid for the repair and in 2006 I had the same problem. I was told that it was a recall, but when I informed mcgrath Acura that I should be reimbursed, it was denied. I also complained of a clicking noise in the radio that was never looked in to when I took my car in for trans., apparently this is a common defect where the pins within the 6cd changer go bad, but I have yet to see a recall. I have also experienced problems with the bubbling michelins. I have had three blowouts and have finally replaced the tires with a different brand, which I think is unfair. I have also had problems with the brakes. I have had to replace original rotors for warping. My paint seems to be chipping really bad and it has been since original purchase. I also have had problems with the seat belt not retracting.
2002 Acura 3.2 TL had problems with it's transmission. While driving the vehicle began to hesitate and slow down. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility who diagnosed the problem as a failed transmission. At the time of repair the consumer was not aware that there had been a recall on the transmission. The consumer received the recall notice after the repairs had already been done.
The automatic transmission in my 2002 Acura TL (75000 miles) suddenly and unexpectedly downshifted to 1st or 2nd gear while I was traveling at a constant 50 mph. I nearly smashed my face on the steering wheel and was fortunate to avoid striking other vehicles. This is a very dangerous transmission problem. The dealer has replaced the transmission with a re-manufactured one.
: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph, the transmission failed. The vehicle was pulled over, and driven to the dealership at speeds below 20 mph. The transmission was replaced. Two years later, the problem reoccurred. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and was not inspected by a mechanic.
- Danville, VA, USA
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: the contact stated at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. After sitting for a while, the vehicle proceeded forward, but would not go above second gear. The dealership replaced the transmission, under recall, #04V176000. Two years later, the vehicle stalled again and the transmission was replaced a second time. Then while driving up an incline the gears began slipping. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced again.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, the automatic transmission seized and the engine stalled without warning. A NHTSA recall, #04V176000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the automatic transmission however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced again and the engine needed new engine mounts. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 10/18/2006 -
: the contact stated the transmission was replaced three times by the dealer. The first time, the transmission was replaced by the dealer due to a recall, after the transmission seized. The dealer also replaced the torque converter, control module tcm, and fuel pressure regulator. The recall campaign id #04V176000 was on the NHTSA website. The manufacturer was notified and the contact had not heard back from them yet. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for a third time for the same problem.
We were driving on the freeway going 50 miles an hour on our way to drop off our car at the Acura dealership when the transmission shifted in to 2nd gear lunging us forward. Luckily we were in the slow lane and able to pull over avoiding and accident. Car was towed to Acura and new transmission was put in. Since that incidence we have had an additional 2 transmissions put into the car. One on 11/8/04 and the most recent 5/24/06.
At around 50,000 miles, I took my car in to the dealer to have them look at the transmission which had been experiencing intermittent gear slippage. The transmission was replaced. This second transmission started to experience the same problem with gear slippage at around 10,000 miles. It is currently at the dealer having the transmission replaced. I am just blown away that the same problem would be happening in a "new" transmission. I understand that the transmissions in the 2002 Tls has had some issues, but what guarantees this new replacement transmission won't have the same problem.
I own an Acura TL type-S and the transmission keeps going out. The dealer keeps replacing the transmission, but the problem is not fix. The transmission has been replace 3 times.
My husband and I have owned a 2002 Acura TL-S since it was initially purchased. We know there is a recall on the transmission, and the warranty has been extended to 100,000 on the transmission. However since then at approximately every 30,000 miles, the transmissions has had failures. I am on my 3rd transmission after 2 replacements. We are at about 78,000 miles on this car and should be hitting 90,000 miles soon. This will be in about 6-8 months. The fact that Acura just re-conditions the transmissions and puts it back in is really not resolving the issues. I am not the only one suffering with the thought that the car's transmission will give out soon again. There are lots of people who have listed this on auto forums on various websites. Acura needs to really fix the transmission design or give a much better transmission warranty. Their practice of simply re-conditioning faulty transmissions and putting them back in is not the solution. Your assiatnce in getting a proper resolutions is appreciated.
2002 Acura TL-S the transmission is slipping. Especially when trying to slow down the car. Try to reported to valley stream Acura, valley stream, NY response: The problem doesn't show up too obvious, please drive it on second gear and beat on it until it become more obvious. Went to paragon Acura, northern blvd, queens, NY respond: No problem found, you still have 35000 more miles to drive until the warranty is over. So don't worry and keep driving it until it nears to 100000 miles. Went to curry Acura, scarsdale, NY response: It looks like there is leaking in the transmission, they will not touch it or test it, bring that back to previous Acura for the problem. Called Acura client service: Response: Please try other local dealers before you call back and file the complaint. They suggest me to go to manhattan, rolysn, brooklyn first.
The contact stated while driving, there was a clicking noise in the transmission. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealership, and he was told that the transmission failed. The vehicle was still under warranty. The repairs will be made at no charge to the contact. There was a recall on this vehicle concerning transmission failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for recall repairs.. the recall repairs did not fix the problem. Updated 11/29/05.
Transmission failure. Known problem for 1999-2002 Acura TL, but all Honda/Acura does to fix the problem, is replace it with another transmission that fails again. Slips, disengages, and stalls in the middle of the street.
The contact owns a 2002 Acura 3.2tl. The contact states that in August 2003 the transmission failed, causing the passenger to move forward. Transmission went out again on June 28, 2005. Both times vehicle was unable to accelerate. One month ago he got into an accident going about 5-8 mph because the vehicle lurched forward. Manufacturer has extended the warranty.
Five transmissions within 5 months. Original transmission was replaced due to safety recall. Serious saftey concerns with this particular automobile. Acura will not buy back.
I am on my tenth transmission on an '02 Acura TL type S. Acura is well aware of the problem and will do nothing but continue to put in bad trannies. Someone needs to stop this before someone gets killed!
Transmission acting up for months. Unable to duplicate problem with dealer on several long visits. Transmission was reaching dangerous level, not shifting, revving without engaging, etc. Transmission was replaced at 38,000 miles or so (not sure specifically). Still having problems. Dealership not very helpful. Honda is covering up transmission problems. Service stinks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chicago, IL, USA