2002 Acura TL 3.2 TLS from North America - Comments

2002 Acura TL-S original owner with approx 85,500 miles. I was aware of the transmission problems shortly before buying the car. I got a good deal and thought Acura had solved the problem as I bought late in the model year. I had the recall on the transmission done when it was issued. I thought I noticed some slippage from 2nd to 3rd, but since i did mostly light city driving and mroe highway driving, it was not a consistent or repeated problem. Recently, the slippage became more noticeable and repeated. I took it in (Acura in Gaithersburg, Maryland) and with no hassle I am getting a new transmission. Not sure about the warranty on this transmission. Any suggestions on how to deal with this before leaving the dealer with the new car?

The car has been trouble free otherwise and I have not had any sudden loss of the transmission that seems to be a serious problem on this forum. Right now, I am worried about the length of warranty on the new transmission and whether it will last another 85,000 miles or longer. I do not know what the useful life of a modern transmission is, but I expect at least 150,000 miles. I had an infiniti G20 that lasted only 115,000 miles.

How long is the warranty on the new transmissions? Is is 12 months/12,000 miles? Any luck holding Acura/Honda responsible for failures beyond the 12/12,000 warranty?

I purchased an 02 TL-S in March of 2007 with roughly 52000 miles on it. So far I have not had a problem. I drive over 40 miles everyday to work and back (80% highway) and the car now has over 66000 miles on it. I notice sometimes it does shift hard, but I haven't experienced any major issues like the ones listed in these postings. After reading these posts, though, I am definitely weary of this vehicle and am thinking of selling it before it becomes a (my) problem. I love this car, but if this is what I may be in for, I think I might be in the market for something else. Thanks to all for the valuable info.

I have owned this car new (3.2TL Type-S) since May 9, 2001 and have only had the car fail on me once (dead battery). My car is no garage queen, but a daily driver with 137,000+ km (~86,000 miles). Handles well (when you upgrade the factory Michelin tires), quiet, plenty powerful, and good fuel economy for a "260" horsepower car (old SAE measurement). While the transmission problem can be daunting, it's hit or miss. I am still on the original transmission and it shifts just fine. I have only felt it 'slip' a handful of times when cruising at 30mph (50km/h).

While the transmission issue may 'tarnish' the Honda quality armour a bit, I would not hesitate to recommend Honda products. In fact, my spouse drives a 2007 Acura TSX (with my strong recommendation to Honda engineering).

I have a 2002 Acura TL Type-S with ~ 69,000 miles on it. I got in used from a dealership 2 years ago. Noticed the slipping in the transmission about a month ago, but didn't think too much of it. Then last night it wouldn't shift from 3-4th and when it finally did the car lunged forward. Took it in this am, needs a new tranny. covered by warranty, but worried about what I read about the new tranny having issues too...

I'm currently thinking of buying a 2002 Tl Type S (Pearl White on Tan leather with the Acura Skirt kit) I'm in Canada, Ontario and want to know if this would be the biggest mistake of my life, I have a 1997 Accord right now which is an amazing car, but want something newer. This cars got 135000km on it and its listed for $11500, should I skip on it???

To the Canadian considering the 02 TL - I wouldn't buy it. It may not be the biggest mistake of your life - but I wouldn't even consider a TL or CL made between 99-03. The information is out there - these are not reliable cars. Even if you got an incredible deal it simply isn't worth the risk of having an accident - it isn't about the money, its about safety. Go with an 04 or later TL or an RL from any year - or just go with another car make of your choice. I still have my 01 TL, but if I had it to do over again I would not re-buy this car.

Thank you to the response about buying the TL, I decided not to get it, but to get a 04-05 instead. Thank you.

I discovered this forum about a week ago when my 99 TL started having problems. I took it in and sure enough, the transmission had failed. I was still able to drive it, but it shifted rough and if I took it onto the freeway and tried to accelerate on even a minimal incline, the engine wouldn't shift into the next gear, it would struggle and finally make a loud, unsettling sound and the TCS light would come on.

The worst thing about this situation is that I just purchased the car used 4 months ago. I realize it is pretty old, but it's an Acura/Honda and I expected it to last for at least 200k miles. (It has 109k miles on it now.) I had it inspected by the local Acura dealer before I purchased it (Alhambra Acura in southern California). They gave me the report with notes on items that needed repair and an estimate. The transmission was not one of them- it was given a "checked and okay" rating. So I bought the car, had the suggested repairs done and thought I was good to go.

Once I started having problems I took the car to a different dealer (Glendale Acura) who gave me the transmission failed diagnosis. They looked up my VIN and told me my car was, in fact one of the faulty models. (My question- the original Alhambra Acura couldn't have done this for my inspection?) The estimate for a new one was $2,900 as my car was 2 years too old for the extended warranty. The service manager contacted his boss as well as Acura and they agreed to work with me and fix it for $1700.

Naturally I contacted Alhambra Acura to let them know the transmission they diagnosed as "fine" 4 months ago had now failed. They said they could not help me since my car was out of warranty, but agreed to give me 10% off the full price of $3,500. Um, what? Naturally I went with Glendale Acura and got it fixed for $1700 but I find it interesting that two dealers would have such different pricing and the one that helped me out had no history with me or the car.

I had the same type of issue with my Acura I bought. Dealers want to sell cars and the first dealer sold you one... the second different one you went to was not able to sell you one obviously, but discovered repairs needed also making money. This is a great site at least you know enough prior to jumping into a used vehicle and being uninformed. I believed Hondas were infallable mainly from prior experience. I found out since that the newer ones are not. I also made the mistake of not seeing the Carfax I took the dealers word that it had no issues. It had actually hit an individual on a bicycle and had the bumper and hood replaced at 6,000 miles. CarFax will also pick up major engine work and the trans replacements. Again at under 30,000 miles when I purchased my 2002 TL I thought it was like new. It was black highly detailed and who would have known. The lesson I learned is to read up on complaints and never buy without seeing the Carfax instead of taking the dealer salesmans word for it.

To the above poster, I did get a Carfax report which reported no issues.

The first dealer sold the car and the second dealer observed repairs... getting a Carfax is also extremely wise before any purchase.

My turn! 53,200 miles (all mine) on my 02 Acura TL, extended warranty in my hand, I went to my dealership with a slipping tranny and was told it will be replaced with a rebuilt! I asked how long the warranty will last on the rebuilt and he said there is no warranty. WHAT!?!? He assured me they have replaced numerous 02 trannies and none have come back. I haven't had it scheduled for replacement yet, it's on order. In the interim, I'll be calling Acura to see about a warranty on the rebuilt. I'll let you know what happens.

I'd get my trans fixed even with the rebuilt and no warranty. But I'd probably only drive it another year (10k miles) and then I'd be looking to sell. I know no one wants to be buying a car in this economy, but that has always been my plan should my transmission fail again - drive it about 10k miles and then buy a good used car that probably won't be an Acura.

Why anyone would possibly want to keep this vehicle with sudden trans failures at the most inopportune moment, and danger very likely at times in heavy traffic, is beyond me. We sold ours, and it was the best decision entirely based on family safety.

Hello, I posted on 25 March. Had my tranny replaced today and my main concern was some type of warranty on the rebuilt, the dealer offered me a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty in writing. Only had 53,000 on the original. Time to start looking for a new car. I did look at the 08 TL and RDX, they both require premium fuel - no thanks, not with today's gas prices.