2002 Acura TL Type S from North America - Comments

I have gone through three (3) transmissions, two set of rotors that keep warping and other misc. repairs. I filed a complaint with BBB Auto Line and went through arbitration. I was awarded a choice of either a new car replacement plus a usage fee of $3,200 or my money back minus $3,200.

Well, I am getting my money back and buying a BMW.

Acura and their parent American Honda are very unfriendly to the consumer and I will never buy nor recommend a Honda product to anyone.

The countless hours spent dealing with transmission repairs were for not.

My suggestion to anyone who is having problems with their transmission is to file a complaint with their local Better Business Bureau and seek arbitration so they can track the number of cases with this car. Then we can all ban together and file a class-action lawsuit against American Honda.

Honda offered you a replacement car and you say that all your effort was to no avail?

Try getting a replacement car offered to you over minor issues from any other manufacturer. You'll wish you had taken the replacement Acura.

I own a 2002 3.2 TL Type S with 35,000 miles on it - my wife and I purchased the vehicle brand new. We experienced transmission failure about three weeks ago - the transmission completely lost third gear. The dealer replaced the transmission with a "new" one - I specifically asked if the replacement transmission was "new" and was told it was indeed a "new unit". This transmission started to act up within ten days - rough shifting, smell of burnt transmission fluid. The car is now back at the dealer to have the second replacement transmission installed. However, this time I wanted to actually see the replacement transmission. I did verify it was not "new" - it is "remanufactured". I am not very satisfied at all and I will be speaking with a district parts and service representative from the factory next week.

Tonight I am doing research on this problem and I am shocked to read some of the warnings about this car's transmission problems - especially the repetitive nature of the problem. As a Quality Assurance professional, it does seem quite apparent Honda/Acura is fully aware of the problem, but they are resisting to properly fix it. In my case, I am indeed going to file a complaint with the local BBB here in Cincinnati and also investigate possible class action lawsuit participation.

I bought a 2003 new acura 3.2tl-s. It now has 33000 miles. Last saturday *I experienced a most frightening lock-up of the transmission at about 30mph. Dealer is being nice. American Acura customer service was haughty and condescending. Waiting for a remedy. Car dangerous and undrivable. Thank heaven I have witnesses.

My 2002 TL type S just hit 34,000 miles and the transmission has been whistling at highway speeds the last 5000 miles and at lower speeds it is very "jerky". After a trip to the dealer this week, I have been informed that I am getting a new transmission. After reading this website, I am very concerned about the quality and "age" of the replacement transmission.

The warping rotors are a significant fault. Mine has had that issue, and as a result I traded it in for a new A-spec with Brembo brakes.

I have 2003 TL-S with 29000 miles. Brake is not effective and had 2 fender bender in 1 month on same car. I never had accident for last 15 years. My Ody brake is fine. When I took it to dealer they said pad is 30% left & rotor is fine. Dealer said rotor& pad resurfacing will help. Spend $400 but still no solution. But, I can feel brake not as effective as it used to be in new. Any sugestion? Acura customer service is horrible. I will complain BBB.