Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-93
We have owned many a car in our 62 years. The Acura Tl is by light years the worst experience we have ever had in a car.
We have had countless repair costs trying to keep the EGR sensor warning from reappearing. New valves... valve and portal cleanouts, and on.
Boots over the grease fittings around the front axles, failing repeatedly.
Trunk door operator switch under the armrest; doesn't work; hasn't worked for thousands of miles.
Traction Control System warning light. No one in Acura, nothing in the owner's manual, no one at our Acura dealer can explain what it means and countless attempts by our service center have not caused it to go away.
The sound level inside the car is worse than in my old pickup. One cannot possibly enjoy the Bose radio and CD palyer because the road noise and inside-the-car-noise is louder than the radio (or else you have to set the radio volume to an extreme).
But... But... The disaster of this car is the transmission. It blew out earlier this year. Cost us nearly $3,000. We drove it 18,000 miles. Acura called it in for a national recall campaign (transmission recall). They put this phony gizmo on it (they called it a "Oil Jet Kit"). Two weeks later the transmission blew out again. Another $4,000. We were stranded 500 miles from home and Acura would not take any responsibility or sympathy.
I could go on and on about this transmission recall fraud. One thing for sure: We will never, never (nor will any member of our family, ever) buy another Honda\Acura product.
There has got to be a sustained effort to bring about a class-action suit against Honda (Acura) America for this massive transmission disaster and their fraudulent plan and procedure for getting away with phony remedies.
I have a 2000 Acura tl, I bought the car in 03 it had 80,000 miles on it. After about a week I noticed the car jumping from park to reverse and then to drive. About another week it got worst. My engine light came on, my traction control light came on, my brake light came on and not to mention the car started to get hot after driving a couple of hours. I then decided to make an appointment. About a week before my scheduled appt, I noticed the car shifting without noticed, so I called the dealership and told them what was going on. When I took the car in they replaced the oxygen sensor, and also the Transmission sensor. I asked why was I experiencing these problems with the car shifting so crazy and was told it was because of the sensor. I then drove the car a couple of miles felt the jump again and returned to the dealer only to be told that the car is fine and it did that because it was cold. It continued into the summer months, but didn't get any worst until I took a road trip to New York. On my way I was going about 80 miles an hour then all of a sudden the car lost power and a cloud of smoke trailed me from behind the car. I tried to step on the gas, but the car just revved and slowly coasted to the curb. I took the car to a service station and was told that the torque converter busted due to heat buildup from the gears due to non lubrication. I was stunned in disbelief because I took the car to the dealership about 5 months ago. He then drained the fluid and installed new ATF fluids in the car upon driving home the car jumped, revved downshifted and cut off a couple of times I thought it was going to blow up. I could not go over 50 miles an hour and I was 2 hours away from home. When I got home I called the dealership told them what happened and had the car come in again. They checked the car and said well you have internal transmission problems, we cannot tell you exactly what the problem is, but we will send the info to Acura and see what happens. They did and I was told that they inspected the 2nd gear and nothing is wrong, plus I am out of my warranty and there is nothing they can do for me. Acura knows that this is a known issue, but failed to address it not once, but twice I am so upset I don't know what to do if it was caused by me then I could understand, but this is not my fault and they should atleast replace the transmission. If anyone is suing them let me know ASAP, because I am heading that way also.
Why hasn't the large number of people who own Acura TLs banded together and created a class-action suit aginst Honda\Acura?
It is clear that the drive train\transmission problem is wide spread and goes much further than the 2nd gear ruse Acura uses to dodge most of the failure liability.
Mistubishi ended up convicted of fraud for similar liability evasion; that conviction went all the way to the CEO.
Thousands of Acura owners have suffered at the hands of Acura's fraud and it goes on and on and they get away with it.
There is ample ground for a class action.
If you all have transmission problems with your TL , take them to the dealerships right away. I have a 2000 Acura TL with 40,000 miles. I found out the transmission has a recall on it. I took it to the dealership and they installed an oil cooler in my transmission. They told me that there is a nation wide recall for all Acura TL models that have less than 100,000 miles. I advise all owners of this car from 2000 to 2003 models to take them to the delaerships. My friends 2001 Acura TL has 75,000 miles and his transmission was completely replaced. They told him the transmission was so badly damaged that it was dangerous to drive.
There is only one way to avoid Honda/Acura's poor quality: DON'T GET A HONDA OR AN ACURA. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. As far as I'm concerned, Honda has never made a credible product. Hondas and Acuras are not worth the hassle. If you want a good luxury ride, get a Volkswagen.
My 2000 Acura 3.2 is currently at the dealership getting its transmission replaced. Thankfully its covered by the extended warranty. I was told however, while it was being checked out, that if the problem that I was getting (high RPM, and shifting of gears not happening properly, etc) was not related to the transmission recall that they will not replace nor work on the transmission even if there is a recall. That was upsetting to hear. Thankfully it was the transmission and they will replace it.
I own a 2000 Acura 3.2TL with 63,000 miles. My car went in 06/14/2005 for a 3rd transmission. The 2nd transmission was installed on 07/2004 at 43,000 miles. Same problems as the original recall: 2nd gear problems. Maybe they should re-phrase that and say the entire transmission. I contacted Acura Corporation and all they want to do is give me some free accessories. I asked them if the free accessories would allow my transmission to last longer than 15,000 miles. They had no comment. Obviously they do not car that our lives are in jeopardy due to their poor quality control.
Anyway, the transmissions are junk, the oil kit is a cover up to their problems and they are not concerned about the drivers. They are only concerned that they are making their millions everyday. I agree there should be a lawsuit against them. If one is started, I would be glad to join. Here is my email address: db_1984@yahoo.com.
In conclusion, I will not buy another Acura or Honda. I failed to state in the above section, I also own a 2003 Honda Accord V6 that had a 2nd transmission installed. It is going into the shop next week for transmission problems. Current mileage on the Honda is 57,000.
I too have had the transmission replaced 3 times in a 2001 Acura 3.2 TL. This last time they put in an oil ink jet kit which they said would solve the problem, however 15,000 miles later the transmission stopped working now we are outside the warranty. I personally think the dealership did this on purpose so the wouldn't have to replace the transmission again. I called Palm Beach Acura to tell them that there was a recall on the transmission he said he would call corporate and fight for me. However as expected he called to say they couldn't help me. Funny when I called corporate they told me the dealership told them my car didn't have the same problem as in the recall yet when I talked to the service guy he told me the opposite. It appears they are working in concert to defraud the consumer by saying it doesn't apply to the recall they get themselves off the hook. I called the head of Consumer Affairs for the state of FLA., he tried contacting them they wouldn't budge. I took the car to an independent transmission dealer and he fixed the car. However I feel Acura is endangering the lives of the people who buy these cars and not standing behind their product. I feel I was given the run around and am seriously considering a class action lawsuit. Have been talking to my attorney and she is looking into it for me. If anyone knows of any other lawsuits already started please post. thank you.
I have driven an Acura TL for a while now and I find it to be one of the best caars for the price. It's fast and easy to control... and I have not had any problems with my jet and it's a 2000.
Same old problems! Same old car! I own a 2000 Acura 3.2TL. The transmission is shot. To replace it 3,000 dollars. Just so happen warranty for the transmission went out after 100,000 miles. Well, I was at 102,111 miles- darn just not close enough. No help, no sympathy, and had never been advised of a recall when my car was purchased at an Acura dealership.
It is too costly to fix, the car is paid for. What the heck anyone need some Acura parts. I'm spending that money for a downpayment on new car- that's worth the money. I really don't like Acura, go figure.
Another transmission problem with Acura. I have 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and I found the transmission problem when the millage was around 1000. I explained to the dealer and after their inspection they do see any issues. I had to take to the dealer 3 or 4 times and when the millage was around 7000, the dealer installed the 2nd gear oil jet kit. And after installing this also I don't see any improvements. And everytime I inform the dealer, their response was no issues found. This time (at 37,500 miles) I informed the dealer to keep my car with them until they found the problem and I am OK even if it is over night or two days or a week. And after a day, dealer indicates that there seems to a problem in the transmission and the entire transmission has to be replaced. Currently my car is waiting for transmission replacement.
I just purchased a 2000 3.2 TL. When I press the accelerator the car vibrates a little. I was told that it was normal and all TLs (new Acuras) do that. It appears (according to paperwork) that the car had the transmission looked at as a part of the automatic transmission recall for 2000-2003. The car has 51,000 miles now. Has anyone else experienced this play or vibration in the gas pedal? I owned a 1988 Legend up until now and was very happy with it. After reading your entries, it seems that the TLs have big transmission issues with no one wanting to totally resolve them. Also, has anyone had A/C problems. I've taken my car back twice for A/C related issues. A blower and fan and the register (blower) in the back seat working poorly. I was told that if the temperature outside the car is lower that the temperature inside, the blower will not work. This is alos weird because it shouldn't be blowing heat. I'm extremely disappointed, I thought I was buying another winner, but it looks like just because you have the family name doesn't mean you can't be a bad apple (lemon). A class-action suit does appear to be in order.
I have a 2000 acura tl as well. I have never had a car company stand behind there cars like acura. I have owned everything from ford to vw. I didn't have any symptoms of trany failure, but when I heard of the recall I called my dealership and they made an appt for my car imediatly. my car got a new transmision and the oil jet thing. since then my car has had another transmision still covered by warranty. last week the trany failed at 193,615 miles acura replaces it. I am a traveling sales man and I have never had delt with such a good car company. 3 transmisions and my car drives likt it did when I purchaced it new in 1999. I have never had any other problem with acura of this car. maby you should try taking your car to a different dealership. I have never had a problem with my dealership. cars are always going to break no matter what kind of car you have.
I have a 1992 Mazda MX-6 automatic which has done 176000 miles (original engine and gearbox) so I wonder if all these problems are due to poor maintenance at the dealers.
Best car I ever owned.. period.
Did encounter a transmission problem at 60k that was replaced at no cost. Impeccable drive for the $$$.
This review might be biased since I previously owned a '94 Chrysler intrepid with recurring A/C, sensor, integrity, etc... issues.
I am having my 2002 tl transmission replaced for the third time as I type this. I find Acura/Honda completely ignoring their responsibility to the consumer for providing a better solution than to keep replacing malfunctioning transmissions with more of the same. I am very interested in joining together for a class action suit against Acura/Honda for fraud. Please let me know if there is one started or about to get started. Time to get resolution to this unsafe issue. My e-mail is irishlabel@aol.com. Thanks.