2002 Acura TL 3.2 TLS from North America - All Comments

Greetings, I am an owner of an Acura 3.2 TL "Type-s". I bought the car new and have had problems since the first few months. I am awaiting authorization of our third transmission. The dealer has had my vehicle in for inspection for over two weeks and now is telling me that due to a spilled soda there is a malfunction in the circuit board. I believe this to be false and ridiculous! They want me to pay 914$ to fix the shifter unit. I don't feel the problem is in the shifter unit. They said until I pay for that they won't fix the tranny! Please help anyone!

This experience has lead me to do some research on particularly they TYPE-S 2003 Acura TL that was quickly removed off the market. The "Type S" with Navigation is suppose to have remote diagnostics, On Star Navigation system compatibility and other nice electrical/technical features. We have had problems with all of these features since the tranny problems began and now I feel they are trying to blame us. Does anyone know if there has been any electrical defect or computer problems investigated regarding the "Type-S". Not to mention they say we're not included in the extended warranty which is also absurd. We are preparing to take action this has been such a headache and disappointment.

I wanted to add my experience with the infamous Acura transmission problems. I am the original owner of a 2000 TL, with 110,000 miles on it. It's been a great car, nearly problem free, until I began experiencing the well-documented intermittent jerky shifting at about 90K miles.

About two months ago I got notice of the Class Action lawsuit, and last month the transmission got really bad, making grinding noises and jerking at cruising speed. I took it to the dealer and asked them to replace it under warranty, even though I was 10,000 miles out of the current warranty. They agreed to replace it and charge me for labor only (about $900).

When I got the car back, I immediately wrote a letter to the president of Honda America, with copies to Acura Client Services as well as the dealer. I've included the addresses below if anyone else wants to write.

Today I received a phone call from a Client Services rep, informing me that Acura would not reimburse the labor charges. She got a bit snippy with me when I refused to agree and asked for a response in writing, but she finally agreed to do that.

I'll continue to pursue reimbursement, but meanwhile I'm preparing an ad to sell the vehicle. Needless to say, this will be my first and last Honda product, and we'll be off to the Toyota dealer soon.

MR. AKIO HAMADA

PRESIDENT AND CEO

HONDA OF AMERICA

24000 HONDA PKWY

MARYSVILLE OH 43040-8612.

ACURA CLIENT SERVICES

1919 TORRANCE BLVD

TORRANCE CA 90501-2722.

Hello with another Acura 3.2Tl type S. My Girlfriend and I were stranded along the side of the highway when our Transmission went out. I called Acura's TLC hot line for roadside assistance and to my surprise, The did not help! This has been my third Acura and it will be my last. We were driving along at 80 when the Tac went to 6 thousand and we lost all forward movement. We pulled over and opened the hood only to find transmission fluid all over the engine compartment. I had the car towed to a local garage and put two quarts of fluid in it and made it home. The car has not moved in two days. We can't trust it and Acura gave me the one figure... Thanks Acura...I love you too. Can any one help us. The car has 127k with it's second transmission. My name is Robert 910.540.0143.

I am another that has had problems with my 2002 TL Type S. I purchased the car and within 15,000 miles I had to have the transmission replaced. The car wouldn't get out of first gear. Now at 98,000 miles my transmission is completely shot again. This time it won't even go into gear. The car will start, but acts like it's in neutral. I should of brought it in earlier, as it would do as some have previously noted "jerk (mildly) at cruising speeds".

I can say after this transmission replacement, I will be selling the vehicle and won't be purchasing another Honda product. It's pretty unfortunate that Honda is putting out a product that is causing consumers such frustrations.

First, I wanted to write that I really found these comments extremely useful in regards to the transmission issue on the Acura TL.

I purchased a certified 3.2 TL Type S in 2005 with 26K miles. In a year and a half, the car was rock solid. This past weekend on a weekend trip, I noticed that the car's transmission was having some "slips" between 2nd and 3rd gear, and the tachometer was redlining in a few instances. The car also had some issues engaging in the Reverse gear.

Wasn't sure if these were covered under the certified warranty until everyone who's contributed to this comment thread mentioned very similar issues. I plan on taking the car to the shop shortly to find out if (1) the car's issue falls under the transmission warranty and (2) if this car had a transmission issue prior to me purchasing through the certified program. Thanks everyone.

Next, I wanted to bring to people's attention that there was also a class action law suit on selected Honda / Acura vehicles purchased between April 13, 2002, and Nov. 7. This suit deals with overstating ODOMETER readings by 2-4%, which may affect some warranty issues or lease over-mileage charges.

This information can be found in the following web-page.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1163194119145.

Good luck to us all.

PLEASE CONTACT ME!

Greetings all,

I would first like to thank the creator of this site for providing the consumers with an arena to truthfully note our experiences with the cars we purchase. I also would like to add to this detailed list of comments and concerns in regards to the Acura transmission problems. I have a 2003 Acura 3.2 TL type-s w/NAV. I am awaiting my third transmission replacement. Due to my unfortunate experiences with my Acura service dealer I have been forced to search for further information and assistance to help me understand why the transmission problems can't be fixed.

Initially, most of my concerns were due to the fact that my questions remained unanswered by both the dealer and acura client services in addition to the fact my warranty will be running out without any permanent remedy to the problems I have experienced. I will be left having paid forty thousand dollars for a car that has had continuous problems with the transmission and various different electrical components. Aside from the transmission I have had problems with:

- My on star equipment, muffled voice, loss of GPS, dropped calls, claims I no longer have remote diagnostics after my first tranny replacement.

- After first transmission replacement on-star could no longer unlock my doors.

- Problems with my heating/cooling system following my first tranny replacement.

- Constant gear shifting while driving the vehicle. I was told the dealer can't duplicate my complaint time and time again.

- Problems with my SRS lights flashing.

- My door panels faded.

- My cup holders appear to be defective there is no crack yet liquid seems to get in the shifter unit.

- Lower console lid doesn't stay shut.

-My BATTERY at one point would not charge and I had to have it replaced a year after purchase.

-Horrible service dealer experiences when I asked questions and have never got answers.

This is a brief summary of my experiences following the purchase of my new Acura. I have now decided to try to seek assistance. If you have had any of the same experiences, or would like me to let you know what I am doing to try to fix this problem please contact me at:

Permanent.trannyfix.info@gmail.com.

In particular I would greatly appreciate any messages or information about your experiences in regards to any 2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL "type-s", however all messages and tranny experiences are welcome.

- If anyone has their original 2003 Acura 3.2 TL type-s users manual can you please contact me. The printer states it is out of print for some reason and my particular model was dropped of the market for reasons unknown.

-Can anyone confirm that their 2003 Acura 3.2TL type-s had or still has a remote diagnostic feature capability that could be utilized by on-star

I am hoping to gather enough information to seek a permanent fix for our transmission problems. I find it unfortunate that we as consumers have to be treated so unjustly and have to explain our situations over and over only to get no where, meanwhile our miles are adding up and our warranties running out. In my opinion an extended warranty doesn't fix the problem.

Helpful resourcs:

-For information about Acura's transmission safety recall or to make a complaint/request investigation contact the NHTSA

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

-American Honda Company /Acura participates in a BBB auto-line. To file a claim call:

1-800-955-5100

Best Wishes.

I sold my Type S for this every reason and bought 2 new GM's. I took a horrible beating when I sold mine. The unpredicatible loss of a transmission is serious and I could not jeopardize my families safety. I loved the performance and handling, but could not trust it happening yet again...

I bought a 2002 TL-S as an Acura Certified used car from an Acura dealer 2 yrs ago with 29k miles on it. About 6wks ago I started to hear a continuous low frequency whine above 25mph or so. Two days ago the transmission began to occasionally slip going from 2nd to 3rd gear. I talked to my local Acura service dept and set up an appointment after the holidays and was told to drive it as little as possible. It really is a shame that they can’t seem to install a transmission that works. My daughter was 13 when I bought the car and my plan was to give it to her when she got her license and I was going to buy a new Acura at that time. Am now concerned to let her drive it and I most likely will buy a Toyota. I’ll post the results of my service next week.

Funny how everyone jumps to the conclusion that they will buy a Toyota when just as many Toyota people say they will go for Honda. Many people are just way over themselves. I want to add that the Civic has done nothing to you because of an Acura transmission problem and it seems that you believe the Honda Civic or Accord is not reliable. I will have you know that Honda still builds excellent vehicles and Toyota for that matter, but your comment about moving to Toyota made it seem you were over your head.

Check out the late model Accord V6 transmission issues and get back to us...

I have a late model Accord and have no troubles at all. I am going to have 150,000 miles soon. If everyone just followed maintenance closely they would not have so many troubles. As for the 3.2 TL, I do not know if it is the same case, but for the 3.0 Accord engine I believe it is how you maintain you vehicle. People do the most stupid things with their cars and then they wonder why they are broken!!! I do not tow anything with my Accord and I do not race everyone at stoplights like I have seen other people in their Accords do. Could racing everyone at every intersection be the failure of the transmission on the Accord? Possibly, but I think the real problem of the Accord transmission lies in how you treat it.

Racing isn't the problem (it can accelerate the issue sure if you use the sports shift) and are there any Accords with trailer hitches? I have had a # of Accords, a Civic, an Integra, a Legend (the best) and a TL all purchased new. The older generation were the best... I didn't do my homework on the new TL. Back in that time I bought clutches not having multiple trans replaced. My son tore the clutches out learning to drive on my new Integra, but still the trans did not fail. I had a new 92 Accord stolen recovered and fixed and even its trans was still good afterwards. I couldn't believe it wasn't totalled but the insurance company had it fixed. I am willing to admit when issues are faults that I created but not when its factory related. It seem that even if you baby the 3.2 VTEC the trans. failed again anyway...I may buy Honda again, but not until I am absolutely certain they resolved the transmission problems. I refuse to stick my head in the sand and praise past laurels. I really liked Honda but they dropped the ball.........

Not sure what you mean by being “over my head”? I own a Cadillac, Honda, Ford, Porsche and an Acura. What’s most concerning is that the engineers at Honda can’t seem to, or aren’t willing to, come up with a proper solution for one of their higher end performance vehicles. This should concern anyone considering the brand. I’ve owned 2 Toyotas without any drama. I had complete confidence in Honda products. That confidence is shaken when an Acura service mgr suggest I don’t go too far from home in one of their cars with 50,000 miles on it.

Sticking your head in the sand means you are not forgiving. Being over your head is something you cannot afford. I refuse to bury a problem just because it was once fine. It's a real problem...

02-Jan -07 - I just called Honda of America advising them that I just got my 2001 Acura CL-Type S back from the Acura dealer for the 3rd transmission problem at 99,000 miles and the Honda of America person that I contacted asked me if I was a certified mechanic? I was shocked and I proceeded to ask her what that had to do with my problem and she said if I was not a certified mechanic then how would I know if I had a transmission problem. I commented, "Are you kidding me - how about saying that you are sorry that I continue to experience problems with my Honda vehicle?" How arrogant is that response? I told Acura customer service person (if you call that customer service) if that was going to be their attitude I would write a letter expressing my concerns.

I know they are replacing these as many times as necessary up until 109,000 miles, but when are they going to really fix them instead of simply putting a band-aide on the transmission problem?