2003 Acura TL S-Type from North America

Summary:

I would not recommend an Acura

Faults:

My first transmission blew at 37,000 miles when the car was just over 1 year old. It was still under warranty and they kept it for a month. They paid for my rental car for a month as the dealer was out of loaners. Yet the dealer I took it to claims to have no record of this.

Today my second transmission blew and the dealership is telling me that the manufacturer has no record of the first transmission being replaced.

The car has been a decent vehicle. It has get up an go and since the majority of my driving is highway that is a feature I appreciate.

However, after reading the comments on this blog and a few other websites it appears that this model has several transmission issues. According to the Acura Service team these are known issues. I now find it hard to believe that the manufacturer nor the dealer have any record of my past transmission issues.

Additionally, I've replaced part of the ABS once and the entire ABS just under a year ago.

I am not at all hard on vehicles. I service my vehicles regularly and I am religious about it. I ordered a 1994 Ford Explorer and drove it without a single maintenance issue until 1999. I then sold it out right to a friend who drove it without issue until 2003.

I had a 1988 Cougar that I bought used with 18,000 miles on it. It was a dealer car. I drove that car for 3 years and sold it for $200 less than I paid for it.

I would not recommend an Acura.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th February, 2008

20th Nov 2010, 18:23

So the second transmission fails 110,000 miles after it was installed, and the dealer has no record of replacing it?

What about your records? Show those to the dealer.

I also own a 2003 Type S and have had no transmission problems.

Of course, I follow the recommended maintenance schedules, and have the dealer service the transmission every 30,000 miles.

2003 Acura TL Type S 3.2 from North America

Summary:

Best car in it's class for the money

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car and I've not had to take it in to the dealer for anything.

The right rear seat back is starting to look like it's going to crack, which is strange, and is the only thing that has not met my expectations of the car.

General Comments:

The car is quick, comfortable, handles well and produces great gas mileage (28-31 mpg) for a car of it's size and power. The engine is silky smooth, and the looks are handsome and understated, just what I like. My only beef is that the driver's power seat doesn't seem to go down far enough - I feel like I'm riding on top of it rather than in it. But a few miles in it and it seems normal.

I've had no transmission issues.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd January, 2008

2003 Acura TL Type-S 3.2 from North America

Summary:

Sweet, except for the transmission!

Faults:

I just had the automatic transmission rebuilt on my 2003 TL-S. Bought it new and have 73,900 miles on it. It's a late 2003 VIN, and Acura would not cover it under warranty. It was slipping into 3rd gear. Dealership wanted $3750 plus tax, independent shop did the work for $2600 incl tax with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. The entire torque converter was wasted and was losing hydraulic pressure. The rebuild kit included the latest updates and fixes (better than original).

General Comments:

I hope the rebuilt transmission will last at least 100,000 miles, because I really love the car, and everything else about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th December, 2007

21st Oct 2010, 21:43

I am the original poster of this comment. Ever since the tranny failed the first time, I was always analyzing the way the car shifted every time I drove it... constantly feeling the shift was too hard, too soft, too long between gears... it drove me nuts. I traded in my TL on a Lincoln a year ago at about 117,000 miles when the tranny failed a second time. I will never purchase an Acura or Honda again.