More Advice On Acura TL Transmission Failures And Recall

Q: I read your article and I felt a knot in my stomach hearing about the Acura TL with transmission problems.

[Kevin Butler]

For accuracy's sake, I should say that the TL transmission issue was not repaired under a recall from Acura. Acura issued a "warranty extension" that covered models within a defined range of Vehicle Identification Numbers. The difference is that a recall would have automatically allowed a TL that's VIN was included a transmission replacement. The fact is that Acura would not replace the transmission unless there was a problem to begin with, even if your TL VIN was listed as covered. The warranty extension is good for 7 years or 100k miles from original date of sale, whichever came first. All 1999-2002 TL were covered. 2003 TL models with the last 8 of the VIN 3A000001 to 3A019558 EXC Type-S. 2003 Type-S models included 3A000001 to 3A019061. All 2001-2002 Acura 3.2 CL were included.2003 3.2 CL models included ended in VIN 3A000001 to 3A005203.

Link to info:
http://www.autosafety.org/uploads/AcuraTransT...

[Joe Bencharsky]

Actually, when I had my shop we tore down one of those transmissions and there was nothing mechanically wrong with it. The only thing it needed was the updated PCM but the Acura dealer tried to sell the transmission along with the PCM without first evaluating the two components separately.

[Jesse]

Joe Bencharsky wrote:

Actually, when I had my shop we tore down one of those transmissions and there was nothing mechanically wrong with it. The only thing it needed was the updated PCM but the Acura dealer tried to sell the transmission along with the PCM without first evaluating the two components separately.

what was ur tranny doing mine is slipping gears from 2nd to 3rd and down 4th to 3rd was urs doing the same thing

[ha ha]

don't buy any Honda or Acura garbage.

[Hey now]

ha ha wrote:

don't buy any Honda or Acura garbage.

Honda is the best.

[Acura Girl]

I have a 2002 3.2 TL Type S and had the recall on my tranmission in 2004 I think it was. They replaced my transmision and now i am having a shimmy when my car shifts from 2nd to 3rd. It feels like a low vibration but makes no noise. I this my transmission going out again or I was told my front engine mount needs to be replaced. Is my transmission still covered under the recall warranty or am I stuck with a huge bill now?

[Zonker]

Honda has had tranny problems for years. The Odyssey is notorious for blowing the tranny after warranty expires.

[ha ha]

Honda and Acura Sux!!

[tampatom]

I've been a Honda/Acura advocate since 1988 having owned 2 Accords and 4 Acuras. Not anymore. My 05 TL transmission died even though I maintained it well.
At 92k it started slipping almost overnight. I called Acura and they said from my symptoms my transmission needed to be replaced. Estimate $5500.00 plus.
I had it rebuilt at a very reputable shop and was told by 3 different sources that the problem is inherent in the car and Honda knows it but refuses to correct it or stand behind it. They told me that in most cars they use OEM parts but in this case they can give a better guarantee and quality job with some specific after market parts.I believe that this problem stems from poor grade components in the American made cars. It has shaken my faith in American Honda and I will no longer support them. It would be different if this was a rare occurrence but it is an epidemic and only the buying public doesn't know it. All my previous Hondas/Acuras were built in Japan and unfortunately that makes them better. American Honda does not use the same rigorous standards as they do in Japan.

[Robert Sprinkle]

Good Evening, my transmission in my 2003 TL TYPE S WITH 145000 miles gears started slipping, starting with 2nd gear started first then the rest i have the car now at AAMCO. THEY are charging me 3600 hundred for all cost, do i fall under that trnsmission recall? and is that a fair price for the transmission? Thanks Robert

[Beverly Santillo]

The transmission on my 2003 Acura TL with slightly over 100K miles is slipping. What's my best recourse for getting it fixed if Acura will do nothing? I've owned 5 Acura including RL and TL and I'm shocked to find out this is an epidemic problem

[Judy Vu]

my 2002 TL transmission having problem again twice this week, I dropped it at dealer yesterday for them to check, today, they called me and said the transmission needed to replace and I have to paid 4500. for it, the recall already out, it had happened once right after I bought the car, more than 5 years ago, WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW, PLEASE GIVE ADVICE ?

I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO FIX, I BARELY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY FOOD FOR MY CHILDREN DAILY, MY CREDIT CARD MAXED OUT, DEBT PILE UP,

[Peter Hirschhorn]

I have a 2002 TL with only 60,400 miles (I am original owner). My car has also started to exhibit the symptoms of transmission failure I have been hearing about. Once the car warms up, it is slipping from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th, not sure. Spoke with my local dealer and from my description he says it sounds like I have the AT problem and most likely need need transmission, charging $4700.

I also called Acura USA customer support to explain my problem and see what they will do to stand behind this use. Until my local dealer "officially" diagnoses the problem (at my cost) they won't consider anything.
I am being told that it really depends on how much service business you give your local dealer before they might even consider any contribution. Don't count any anything.

I have been a loyal Acura customer since the first year they entered the US market in 1986. I was thinking about getting a new car before this issue now it seems I have have no choice. My options are to fix and sell or try to off load to some shop that will repair and sell themselves, either way, I am out money for this repair.

Have found a local AT shop that will do for about $2500

Given the choices of cars in the market, I have lots to choice from but Acura is now off my list. Any company that has a known quality issue(why else would they extend the warranty for AT issue) and won't stand behind it has lost my business forever.

I recently purchased a new Hyndai for my wife, replacing her Lexus. So far am impressed by the quality and certainly have the best warranty around.

Acura, wake up. You have lots of competition these days and until you learn that your customer must come first, you are going to lose repeat buyers like me.

I am very disappointed in Acura's handling of this issue from all the threads I have read of other similar issues.

[Mike in Larchmont NY]

I have a 2003 TL-S which i bought new with a delivery date of 7/5/2002. I only have 50,250 miles on it and have had the tranny serviced regularly, the last time I started using Royal Purple Max ATF fluid since i heard of these problems. I also got the recall in early 2004 at about 14000 miles on it already. The dealer said they installed a new oil tube and inspected it and everything was fine. I have had NO issues yet. It works great, even at full passing speeds. It is 8.5 years old, but it is only 50250 miles, so i guess i will be in for a new one someday. Not looking forward to a large expense with such an old car if i need a new one. But the car is like new. Funny that Acura never sent me anything about the warranty extension. Maybe i will be a lucky one and never need a secong tranny...

[BILL M]

My Wife owns a 2001 CL Type S and my son owns a 2003 TL Type S. Both transmission have failed. My son's car will be repaired by a Acura Dealer. I know for a fact that my family and I will never buy another product from Honda or Acura. They sell these cars at a higher price but give you low quality.

[Frank W]

It appears that i am not alone. I bought a brand new 2002 TL-S and recently had the miss 2nd gear issue as described above. Currently have about 112,000mi and car is like new condition (for 9 year old car). It was very dangerous when it happened 1st time on entrance ramp to very busy interstate. It feels like car automatically shifts into neutral and did not know how to resolve until seeing youtube video of L1 shift then D5. I am surprised I have not heard of any accidents with this issue. The missed shift to 2nd happened again on a slightly busy street before I took car to dealer. Same conversation as above with dealer who will cover 80% of cost (remanufactured transmission + new computer per RECALL) which still translated to about $1,000 my cost (similar $4,700 total cost + tax). I phoned Acura customer support prior to confirming go ahead, but received same response due to again, amount of Acura service business. I explained the loyalty I invested in their product to no avail. I purchased brand new 1987 Honda Accord, brand new 1992 Acura Vigor, brand new 2002 TL-S, and wife's brand new 2005 MDX in past 25 years. Note the MDX torque converter was replaced in 2008 (55,000mi under warranty) and in 2010 (110,000mi with 80% cost covered by Acura). My TL trranny was serviced in 2004 with oil tube add per recall. This TL tranny issue is last straw. Customer service did not honor 25 years of loyalty plus referrals to family and friends about Honda quality. No more!!! I will not purchase another Acura or Honda product again. I encourage all who read this to remove Honda/Acura vehicles off their choice of vehicles. I will make sure that my children will not buy their products and make sure that all my friends are informed of my BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE experience with Acura/Honda.

[Bill R]

I just had to replace my transmission on my 2003 tl. It went out on me on a family trip I only had 5700 miles on it and I am the only owner. The AAmco guy told me it looked like I had 157000 miles on it and he did not understand why. It cost me 3900 plus a car rental. I keep my car is very good condition. I am very dissapointed with Accura. I was thinking about giving this one to my son and getting myself a new one but NOT ANY MORE!

[FSB Winston-Salem]

The transmission on my 2003 3.2TL went out last week at 65,000 miles. I purchased the car 4 years ago from CarMax along with the extended warranty. Fortunately had no issues with the repairs but after reading all these posts I will be sure to have my transmission checked & serviced regularly.

[americannegr0]

Has anyone considered JDM replacements for the 99-03 Acura TL? Does any one have any information about the quality of the Japanese version of the TL transmission? I'm considering selling my 94 Acura Legend and buying an 03 TL. I'm in the research phase and so far I've discovered that the transmissions built/replaced before 2005 will continue to fail. I'll probably end up buying a TL that already has transmission issues just so I can replace it and not have to worry about it for a while. Please reply.

[chuck]

FSB Winston-Salem wrote:

The transmission on my 2003 3.2TL went out last week at 65,000 miles. I purchased the car 4 years ago from CarMax along with the extended warranty. Fortunately had no issues with the repairs but after reading all these posts I will be sure to have my transmission checked & serviced regularly.

Having it serviced does nothing for the problem. They just use that as an excuse on why it went out, because of your lack of service. Then try to use that as the reason to not cover these lemons.

Plus its a little deeper then the transmission because they also recomend replacing the ECM. Hmmmmm, wonder why? Possibly a programming error. Which is why I suspect they recomend not rebuilding these problem trannies, because without the programming change it'll happen again. Just go to an acura blog site and look at the people with this problem. Some are going on 2 to 3 transmissions.

I can tell you I'll never buy another one. If acura wants to charge luxury prices and not warranty their products or push their mistake cost onto consumers......then shortly they will become the next GM....whose downfall was greed also.

Another lifelong customer saying good bye.