2003 Acura TL from North America - Comments

Transmission recall at 15k, complete brake system replacement at 60k, transmission failure at 77k, sunroof rattles, trim is flimsy.

Overall, I have enjoyed the vehicle, but the transmission problems have been an annoying. Now that the transmission has failed prematurely, and Acura's failure to remedy the situation, I feel that I would not purchase another vehicle from Acura.

Another example of how Japanese advertising and biased car magazine writers have created an "urban myth" about the superiority of Japanese cars. I've owned lots of cars in my nearly 45 years of driving, and not one American car ever gave me one single problem, whereas the most troublesome cars we ever owned were 2 Japanese cars and one German car.

We put over 100,000 miles on several of our American cars, and 2 of them we kept for over 200,000 miles. None of them ever required a single repair other than routine scheduled maintenance.

So far I have made the Automatic in my V-6 Accord last to 130,000 miles. They are known for going out just as your Acura. I was startled to find out from our trusted family mechanic that this transmission has no filter in it. After only 30,000 miles of driving, the fluid was pitch black and probably had many metal shavings and such in the pan. After changing it every year, the tranny has lasted and is acting more normal again. I would suggest changing the fluid often. I am no mechanic, but it has sure saved our transmission.

It seems that the Japanese cars were much more reliable when they were made in Japan... maybe there will be a good American vehicle made over there.

I have a 2002 3.2 TL and I am very pleased with this vehicle.

I had tranny problems at 60,000 miles; the dealer replaced it, Acura gave me an additional 50,000 4 year warranty (that's a total of 150,000 miles, 11 yr. I now have 160,000 miles on it and NO further problems. I believe in maintenance.

I have a 1988 Legend with 330,000 miles with NO engine work. I'd surely buy another Acura, it's been the best car I've ever owned.

The 1986 Caddy I bought, the tranny gave up the ghost at 17,000 miles. I have great experiences with the Japanese cars that I've owned (total of 6, Datsun, Toyota, Acura).