Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-54
Beginning at approx. 8,000 miles, the transmission began to upshift and downshift on flat streets from 45mph and below. Upon regular service, I mentioned this to the dealer and "they re-programmed the computer to the transmission". From this point on, the transmission kept doing this plus hard jerking in shifting modes in normal city traffic. The manual states to drive "normally" in 5th gear. At approximately 18,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced. For approximately a month since the new transmission has been replaced, the replacement is doing exactly the same thing.
The general design and performance is exceptional. I believe that there is a design flaw in this transmission type.
FOLLOW-UP.
As of this week, the 3rd transmission has been put in this 2003 TL-S. Shall be very interesting to see how this works out...
I refer to the transmission problem (s) you had/are having with your TL. I believe that Acura knows there is a transmission problem and they've extended the original warranty a number of years. Therefore, you should not suffer any out of pocket costs. However, you still have to experience the inconvenience. All said and done, the 3.2TL is a great car.
I don't understand how a car on its third transmission can be called great. Had this been an American car for 2/3 the price you probably would have called it every piece of crap coming and going. What does it take you guys to admit that EVERY manufacturer has some serious problems in their vehicles despite of where they are made.
I couldn't agree more.
"I don't understand how a car on its third transmission can be called great. Had this been an American car for 2/3 the price you probably would have called it every piece of crap coming and going. What does it take you guys to admit that EVERY manufacturer has some serious problems in their vehicles despite of where they are made."
I I recall a well-known american manufacturer that had this exact title in the mid 90's also due to problematic transmissions in their minivans. That company had also built some of the best cars on the road... and continues to today, es in the Euro market.
Just cause the cars cost less, does not mean they are of less overall quality in comparison to the Euro and Japanese market cars.
<<"I don't understand how a car on its third transmission can be called great. Had this been an American car for 2/3 the price you probably would have called it every piece of crap coming and going.>>
I had my transmission replaced at 20,000 miles and again at 80,000 miles and I was thinking the very same thing. If I had a GM car, I would be ranting and raving about what a piece of crap it was.
What's the difference, you ask? Two things.
First, except for the buggy transmission (which the dealer says is a known issue) the driving experience is otherwise exceptional. There is nothing like the feeling of gunning that 3.2 TL on the freeway, with the standard Bose stereo cranked up.
Second, unlike having to argue with a Ford or GM dealer over whose resposibility it was for the repair, and then having to deal with the inconvenience of not having a car for a week, I drove right to the dealer, took my car in, and they gave me a 2006 TL loaner to drive. Didn't skip a beat.
I think giving loaners to your customers would go a long way toward keeping customers satisfied. If you aren't inconvenienced, it's not a big deal. But if your car is gone for a week on two or three separate occasions, and you don't have wheels, you get pissed.
I had my TL2S transmission replaced in June. I had less than 30,000 miles. My dealership was great -- replaced at no charge.
My complaint is that I never received any notices of the 2 recalls Acura had on this model. I haven't moved, they have my name, etc.
Can anyone explain why I didn't get the notices?
Thanks.
I currently own a domestic vehicle and have been through 2 automatic transmissions within 13,000 miles. I have not had any trouble with the dealer in replacing them though. Also 3 CD players replaced, vehicle no starts on several occasions, it squeaks and rattles worse than my 12 year old Honda Accord with over 300,000 miles on it did and it idles rough. I do not have any after market parts on the car. I have serviced it as per the drivers manual and it has been an absolute nightmare. I know for a fact when my warranty is up I'm paying out of pocket. At least Honda / Acura has recognized their fault and are making good on it. I heard the total cost to fix the issues is over 200 million. Try getting a domestic company to extend the warranty on a poorly engineered part.
Our 2003 Acura TL Type-S factual experience:
My boyfriend and I own a 2003 Acura TL type-s and are currently awaiting approval of our third transmission.
We first began experiencing problems when the car had approximately 25,000-30,000 miles; jerking of the car and unusual noises. Our Acura dealer told us they needed to install an "oil jet kit" instead of a completely new transmission because there wasn't any damage in the form of "heat discoloration". Unfortunately we continued to experience problems and had to have the transmission replaced at 75,000 miles (transmission #2). We were also notified via mail that there was a recall on some Acura transmissions due to a manufacturing defect.
Our car is presently at the Acura dealer pending approval for a third transmission. We are quite frustrated because the dealer is saying that we are 10 miles outside our warranty coverage; which is ludicrous considering the fact we had to drive over 20 miles to take the car in!
Furthermore, we were just told that our car isn't included in the class action lawsuit nor is our VIN listed under the extended transmission warranty! Why? I have no idea, but could use some help if anyone else can relate. I am hoping to end our transmission woes as soon as possible.
I would say that with the exception of the problems associated with the transmission we loved the car. However, at this point the problem is turning into a huge inconvenience and is quite frustrating.
I was wondering what happened with the trans that is awaiting acura to decide whether to replace. Acura claimed the trans is not one included in the lawsuit. I am having the same problem with my Acura TL-S 2003.
I also have an 03 TL-S with 54K that isn't covered by the extended warranty that is in the process of having the second tranny replaced. Acura has agreed to cover the parts, but no labor. Any suggestions on an approach that might help in getting Acura to cover the labor too?
Wow, I'm not buying this car anymore... glad that I found this websight to convince me otherwise!
We just had our transmission changed at 45000 miles - same symptoms - 2nd to 3rd gear downshifting issues. We'll see how will this work out.
I agree totally that if this was an american car, there would a great deal of defamation put into it, or probably it will even appear on 20/20 or Nightline.
I really have second thought about Hondas. How can a company be considered as the most reliable when one of the most important organs, the transmission, is so faulty in so many ways.
I don't care if it has the best electronic reliability, if the engine or transmission is not working well, it will endanger the passengers.
I hope the media will put more pressure on this auto company before any major accidents occur.
<<I hope the media will put more pressure on this auto company before any major accidents occur.>.
Oh please. The Ford Explorer had design defects from 1990 - 2002 that were killing and injuring occupants (and this was before the Firestone debacle) yet no one said anything.
No car company is perfect, but American manufacturers have a long long history of covering up dangerous defects.