10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,046 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Jul 102006

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Acura 3.2 TL 2000 was purchased in 2000; the first transmission went out sometime within that first year. Dealer replaced the transmission. The second transmission went out in same manner in 2003; the dealer replaced that transmission. The recall on the transmission was done in 2004; I took my car to dealer in response to recall; the work was done in July or August of that year. Recently, was driving my car and it began to exhibit same problems I have had with the transmission each time car became inoperable. The car goes to 2 RPM and then gives a jerk; it will shift and then go to 4 RPM where it gets stuck and will have larger jerk (very unnerving). Then the car will not shift at all and moves very slowly. I had a line of cars moving behind me on the last occurrence and I also had to cross some very busy streets. This model is very unsafe and I don't believe it can be repaired as this has happened for the fourth time -- even after the recall and the parts were installed to make it safe. The first occurrence was about seven to ten months after original purchase (January to may, 2001). The second occurrence was September, 2003. Now the last occurrence in July, 2006. How many times does a transmission have to be repaired, replaced, recalled before it is safe to operate.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #40

Aug 102005

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact received NHTSA recall, 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission failure. Took vehicle to dealership, and they stated the gears experienced discoloration due to overheating. According to the recall information the transmission should have been replaced. The dealership where she took the vehicle stated it did not have this problem, and added the revision to the oil cooler return line. The malfunction indicator lamp stayed lit. The vehicle jerked before moving. Also, it will not go as soon as it was put in gear. The gear indicator light flickered on and off when this occurred.

- Hermitage, PA, USA

problem #39

Oct 202004

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
Transmission recall offer to repair vehicle by dealership was declined. Problem pre-existed and kit was installed to remedy problem in October 2004. Problem still existed after installation..

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #38

Jul 092005

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,206 miles
I am the owner of a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL that was jerking between 2nd and 3rd gears. This past Saturday on my way to work on a busy city street while driving 45 miles per hour the car abruptly downshifted and the RPM went past the 8. I was able to coast my vehicle to the side of the road and have roadside assistance to tow it to my local dealer, stevenson Acura of wilmington, nc. The dealer did an inspection and advsd me since my car has over 100K, 146K to be exact I am not covered under warranty and my second gear looks good and this is not a part of the recall and I would have to pay to replace the transmission. Knowing 5 other people that own the same model car and the same exact occurence has happened I find it hard to believe that this is caused by normal wear and tear, especially since I previously owned a 1998 3.2tl that had over 198K when I traded it in and experienced no transmission problems at all.based on previous complaints on your site it appears this is not an isolated incident and I feel very violated by a company that I have been so loyal to. This is absurd!!!!!

- Riegelwood, NC, USA

problem #37

Jun 252005

TL 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
Acura does not whant to replace the transmission that shoud be under warantie because they said tha the car is whith a salvage title and they dont respont to recalls or waranties of those cars.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #36

Jun 212005

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
Two days ago, I began feeling slipping and surging in my transmission. I immediately called and scheduled a service appointment. Yesterday, while driving on the highway at approximately 50 - 60 mph, my car unexpectedly downshifted to second gear, causing the car to quickly slow down without cars behind me being alerted by brake lights. There was no accident, as the cars behind me were able to avoid me.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #35

Mar 012005

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles
Acura TL experienced problems with transmission. At 49,000 the transmission was replaced for free. On Feb 25, 2005 the consumer took vehicle for a transmission recall, however he was told the part that failed on his car was not included in the recall.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #34

Oct 222003

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles
Acura TL transmission failed, new one was installed, recall issued Sept 04, "fixed" transmission claims to be fine but on occasion violently downshifts, accompanied by warping brakes that Acura has issued a service bulletin for, it is a serious problem.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #33

Dec 072004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer received recall 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission. Mechanic performed the work, but a week later the problem recurred and had not been resolved. Consumer was driving 55 mph when the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. A loud clanking noise was heard coming from the front. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. Service manager bryant bomb.

- York, SC, USA

problem #32

Nov 222004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall 04V176000. Acura issued an automatic transmission recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it experienced the same problem as those vehicles that were recalled.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #31

Dec 022003

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer had trouble accelerating the vehicle. The RPM's revved up.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #30

Nov 192004

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
The consumer was having problems with the transmission. The owner contacted the manufacturer and was told that due to the fact that the transmission has more than 100,000 miles it was not eligible for the recall that was initiated by the manufacturer. Provide further details.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #29

Nov 012004

(reported on)

TL

  • miles
Transmission failed twice. The consumer heard this was a result of poorly designed and poorly manufactured bearing surfaces and clutch plate surfaces in the automatic transmission. The consumer request reimbursement from the manufacturer but they denied any responsibility.

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #28

Nov 012004

TL

  • miles
Received recall 04V076000 transmission failures: While driving transmission exploded nearly crashed. Also blew up catastrophically again. The consumers wife nearly crashed when the transmission in her vehicle exploded and she tried to avoid getting hit or crashing into something. Prior to the recall, the consumer spent over 2700 to have the transmission rebuilt. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they installed an oil jet kit, consequently 500 miles later the transmission failed again.

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #27

Aug 072004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,650 miles
I'm an owner of a 2000 Acura TL3.2, and for the first time in over a decade of being a true loyal customer of Acura/Honda, I don't feel safe driving an Acura made vehicle due to the defective tranmission. My 2 previous Acura were great, both had in excess of 200K before I traded them in and had no problem with the tranmission whatsoever. Because of company's first failed attempt at making a 5 speed tiptronic tranmission it doesn't mean that the company should act irresponsible and endanger its customers' lives in the process. Without prior warning, the tranmission in my vehicle got locked up for a good 2 to 3 seconds several times while I was driving. It felt like I hit the brake really hard when it went into lockup, and I was almost hit from behind several times. In addition, had it been raining and the surface was slippery, I would have hydroplaned and crashed my car. And yet after explaining the situations to an agent at an Acura dealership, and bear in mind that there have been a recall issued in addition to the extended warranty, he still replied that my tranny is not covered by either one. Basically, the recall effort was just a publicity stunt that the company orchestrated in hope of keeping the corporate image. This is really sad because they will loose a lot of loyal customers for good.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #26

Aug 272004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,330 miles
I recently bought a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL with a 5-speed automatic transmission with 87,000 miles on it. My transmission had a big pause when shifting from reverse to drive, hard, inconsistent shifting, and it would not shift correctly when going between 2nd and 3rd gear (around 25 mph). When this happened between 2nd and 3rd gears, the car would jerk severly and would only stop if I either braked or pressed on the gas. In heavy traffic 2 weeks ago, my car stalled and the car behind me almost rear-ended my car, however, my car started up again and I brought it into walker Acura in metarie, la. They confirmed that my transmission was failing (only 4 months after I had bought the car and with 92,000 miles on it) and that it would be replaced under warranty along with an "axle stuck in the transmission". they have fixed the problem, however, my new transmission has been in my car for about a week now (only 500 miles on it, it's only warrantied for 12,000) and it is already showing signs of failing - pause when shifting from reverse to drive, and the transmission also downshifts into a lower gear (even if it doesn't need to) as soon as I take my foot off of the gas pedal. My new transmission has also made my car alot slower than it was when I first bought it. I am afraid to drive my car, I don't feel safe in it because of my previous transmission malfunction and my beginning problems with my brand-new one. I would have not bought this car if I would have known about the transmission problems, and I would have not known about them if it weren't for an online forum for TL owners. Acura did not send me any type of notification about their transmission inspection before my transmission failed. If Acura doesn't do something drastic about this problem soon, fatalities may occur, and regardless, I'm never buying another Acura or Honda again. I thought I was buying a safe, dependable car, but it looks like that is the farthest thing from what I ended up with.

- Lacombe, LA, USA

problem #25

Jul 102004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
I have a 2000 Acura TL. While driving on the delway memorial bridge doing about 70 mph I noticed smoke in my rear view mirror, then the car started reving and not going anywhere. I pulled over and noticed tranmission fluid at the side of the car behind the car and underneath the car. I took the car to a gas station only to find out that its a possibility that the torque converter in the transmission must have overheated and exploded because the guy could not find a leak nowhere. When he opened the bolt on the transmission it smelled like something burning and smoke came out. I can recall about 6 months ago I took it into the dealership to have them check out the car because of the drive five light, the hard jerk from park to reverse and the thump from reverse to drive, the engine light was also on. All they did was replace some sensor. Now I brought it back to them and they told me that I have an internal transmission failure. When I bought the car it had 80K miles on it, this was last May. When I took it to Acura it had 95K now it has 139K on it and it constantly jumps, jerks, rev's and stalls on a regular basis especially when it gets hot.

- Uppermarlboro, MD, USA

problem #24

Aug 122004

TL 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the consumer started the vehicle and shifted from park to reverse a loud knocking noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The consumer informed the mechanic that this vehicle was on recall. The mechanic told the consumer the vehicle was not apart of the recall. Please fill in additional information.

- Liberty Hill, SC, USA

problem #23

Aug 092004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving ABS, and the ovedrive light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the solenoid sensor needed to be replaced. Passenger side rear fender and mudd flap damaged. Tread hit the 5th wheel of the trailor. The vehicle started bucking and fish tailing as tread separated from the tire in one peice. The tire did not go flat. Both vehicles had to be repaired

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #22

Jul 022004

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2000 Acura TL had a recall on the transmission so I took it in to be replaced. It had been two months and the car is back at the dealership in the shop for the same problem. The transmission eratically shifts and it is dangerous for me to drive this vehicle because of this ongoing problem.

- Bowie, MD, USA

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