26th Feb 2007, 10:53
I purchased a 2002 Acura TL, type S new in August of 2001. I love the car. A few months ago I noticed very hard shifts periodically. Knowing about the extended warranty on the transmission, I took the car to the dealer where I purchased the car and where it has been maintained and asked them to check the transmission. They told me they would have to charge me labor to do the check. I told them I was not willing to pay them and left. Now at 50K miles, the transmission has gotten worse. The shift between 2nd and 3rd is sometimes very harsh and the engine revs way to high before shifting into 3rd. I also sometimes have a tremendous shudder (vibration) when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. More recently, I notice a delay in the car going into reverse gear. I spoke to my Acura dealer service manager today and he said to bring it in and they will take care of the problem and provide me with a loaner. Unfortunately I leave town for 6 weeks tomorrow and will have to wait until I return to get the needed repair. I was also told by the service manager that there were improvements made to the newer replacement transmissions, but from what I am reading on this website, I am not sure.
7th Mar 2007, 17:59
I went from my final import... Acura TL Type S to 2007 GM's... a Trailblazer and Silverado SS. I just could not risk a transmission failure and jeopardize the lives of my family.
9th Mar 2007, 08:36
I'm going to sell all of Honda's (3 of them) because of the issues I have had with the cup holders and that dern transmission... but the cup holders keep on pouring coffee on my lap!
9th Mar 2007, 10:02
My sons Viper RT/10 6 speed doesn't have cupholders at all and somehow we manage...
19th Mar 2007, 17:06
Does anyone know the precise cause of all the TL/CL transmission failures? Secondly, assuming Acura now knows the cause of the failures, have they been able correct the past design problems in the replacement transmissions now being installed? My transmission is being replaced as I write this comment. My 2002 TL, type S, just turned 50,000 miles. I would greatly appreciate any feedback, because it will probably determine if I keep the car. Thanks.
6th Apr 2007, 14:21
I just recently purchased a pre-owned Acura 2002 3.2 TL and its been fine so far.
7th Apr 2007, 03:19
The pre owned may be fine, but for how long? You never know when the trans will suddenly fail.
9th Apr 2007, 14:14
I have a 2002 TLS that is on its 3rd transmission. I was lucky enough to have the 2 replacements done for free as the warranty was extended to 175,000 km, but I have spent way too much money on other problems on this so called luxury car. Tomorrow I'm back to the dealer for the 5th time for the SRS light which is now also under warranty. The dealer has been very good to me as I think they realise that in the last 2 years I have been in for work at least 15 times. I tried to trade it in, but with 170,000km I won, t get much for it.
I, m not sure what my next car will be. I was planning on an Accord, but I'm really turned off by Honda.
9th Apr 2007, 17:44
I own a 2002 Acura TL with 127,000 miles. I had the transmission flushed at the recommendation of the Acura dealership. Five days later the transmission failed and I had to have it replaced. Acura paid everything, but $1800. That's a lot of money to spend on this car. I have had no trouble with it until this point, but upon reading all the problems others are having I'm a bit concerned this transmission won't last. I'll keep my fingers crossed...
12th Apr 2007, 10:03
Just for everyones information; Honda Canada has extended the warranty on 1999-2003 3.2TL transmission and torque converters to 93 months or 175,000 km.
Also, there is a warranty on the OPDS control unit, ie if your SRS light goes on and the code shows the OPDS it is covered to 10 years or 240,000 km. They are actually rebuilding the foam in my front seats now due to the seat sensor problems.
I have had 3 transmissions and 5 visits for SRS problems and have not paid for anything.
I still won, t be buying another Acura.
12th Apr 2007, 18:24
I purchased a 2003 Acura Type S new back in 2003. Car ran fine until a couple weeks ago when the transmission started slipping. Car has 162,000km. According to VIN, my car is 3,500 serial numbers above the cut off for the 175,000 km warranty. I have been on the phone with Acura three times trying to get some participation from them on this repair. So far they have offered nothing, wouldn't even take me up on my offer to pay the "cost" (not sell) of replacing the transmission. Acura knows about this problem and if it wasn't for the class action suit they would have told all of us to go punt. As it stands now, if you're serial number isn't in the covered range, they aren't going to help. From my research, the transmissions in these cars are still not 100%. Acura has made some updates to get them to last longer, but that's about it.
It's going to cost me a bundle, but I'm going to get rid of this piece of junk that Acura calls a luxury car and get something else. Seems that Acura has adopted the ways that caused the demise of our domestic manufacturers. Don't give a damm about the customer!
My advice is that if you own an Acura, get rid of it fast and stay far away.
18th Apr 2007, 11:55
Hi Everyone.
I appreciate all of the comments on here.
I purchased a 2002 Acura 3.2 TL 10 months ago.
It had been serviced faithfully at Acura dealers since day one. It has had the transmission replaced already.
Today, 102 000km (5yrs and 10months), the engine warning light came on. I took it in to be checked and the result is a New Engine!
$7000.
Dealer says Honda Canada won't do anything. Say that because I am the second owner, they won't do anything. Dealer offered to cover $1400 (labour) but that is it.
Now, I am in the "process que" at Honda Canada waiting for a customer service rep to review the case and get me an answer. Not much confidence with them!!
Has anyone else had an engine problem? The dealer mechanic says the pistons are knocking. They also said I could drive it until a resolution is determined - which concerns me greatly. Is it not possible to cause even more damage by continuing to drive it???
I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the customer service and quality of product coming out of Acura. I had a Honda Accord years ago and it was the best car ever, as was the dealer service. Now, I don't know that I can trust an Acura again.
Mitch.
Canada.
21st Feb 2007, 15:50
I purchased a 2002 Acura TL Type S and figured that it would be a low maintenance car. What a surprise. At almost 20,000 miles my tranny goes out. At almost 35,000 miles my tranny goes out again. The at around 92,000 my tranny goes out again right after my 90,000 major service. Three times and now I'm filing for Lemon Law. I'll never buy an Acura again.