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.
Bought my 03 3.2TL Type S with only 18,000 miles. It is in beautiful condition. The fit and finish is the nicest I have ever had. I like absolutely everything about the car but the way the steering feels at freeway speeds. It is "gittery" as described in a Consumer Report Review in 2003. The steering is "too light" to the touch and with the stock Michelin "V" speed rated tires (which may be part of the problem) the car picks up too many road imperfections. After having the dealer check out alignment and whatever else, Salesman finally admitted that "Yeah, there was a lot of complaints about what I was experiencing and it was just the way Acura set the steering up on the "Type S" models. I would like to keep the car. Does anyone have any suggestions or possible remedies short of selling it?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought my 03 3.2TL Type S with only 18,000 miles. It is in beautiful condition. The fit and finish is the nicest I have ever had. I like absolutely everything about the car but the way the steering feels at freeway speeds. It is "gittery" as described in a Consumer Report Review in 2003. The steering is "too light" to the touch and with the stock Michelin "V" speed rated tires (which may be part of the problem) the car picks up too many road imperfections. After having the dealer check out alignment and whatever else, Salesman finally admitted that "Yeah, there was a lot of complaints about what I was experiencing and it was just the way Acura set the steering up on the "Type S" models. I would like to keep the car. Does anyone have any suggestions or possible remedies short of selling it?
- Alec M., Lynnwood, WA, US