Acura TL Complaints

3,117 consumer complaints on file.

#10220125March 5, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND "TCS" WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO GEAR BREAKAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN THE SUMMER OF 2004 AS PART OF A RECALL. NO CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS FOUND FOR THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED THE PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218155February 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON JANUARY 24, 2008 WE SENT A LETTER TO RICHARD COLLIVER,EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, AUTO SALES AT ACURA IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTIONNAIRE. WE BOUGHT A USED ACURA 2001 3.2TL IN NOVEMBER OF 2005. IT HAD A "RECONSTRUCTED TITLE". IN OREGON THIS MEANS THERE WAS NO FRAME DAMAGE. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES. I HAVE PUT OVER 30,000 MILES ON THE 3.2 TL SINCE WE BOUGHT IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. AFTER VISITING WITH MY MECHANIC AND THE LOCAL ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION WE DISCOVERED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS DONE IN JANUARY OF 2005. AT SOME POINT, ACURA ALSO EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED IT TO SLIP AFTER IT WARMED UP. I FEEL WE HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE LURCH WITH A TRANSMISSION ACURA KNOWS IS FAULTY. THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO, BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT, AND YOU ARE TELLING US THE ACCIDENT VOIDS THE WARRANTY. IF THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I THINK IT WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP A LONG TIME AGO. I DON?T THINK BODY WORK ON A CAR ? NO MATTER HOW EXTENSIVE ? WOULD NECESSARILY ADD UP TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN EXCUSE FOR ACURA TO PUSH ASIDE A PROBLEM THEY KNOW IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM MR. COLLIVER. THE MAN WHO DID CALL AND GIVE US THE RUN AROUND AGAIN ABOUT THE RECONSTRUCTED TITLE WHEN FACED WITH OUR LOGIC THEN CHANGED HIS TUNE AND SAID THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONLY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEY DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT CLUNKING. IT DOES CLUNK INTO GEAR AFTER IT SLIPS BUT EVIDENTLY IF THE ACURA SERVICE DID NOT DESIGNATE THAT ON THE INVOICE THEY WON'T CONSIDER IT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IF THEY HAD DESIGNATED THAT VERY THING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER EXCUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217853February 12, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217325February 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2007 I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S AND CAME TO A STOP AND HEARD A WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE TRAFFIC BEGAN TO PROCEED THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT MOVE FROM FIRST GEAR. I MANAGE TO PULL OVER AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 1-2 MIN. AND IT WENT INTO GEAR ALTHOUGH SLUGGISH. ONCE ON THE ROAD AGAIN I PROCEEDED ABOUT 3 MILES WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR AT ALL. I WAS RIGHT IN FRONT IF THE HONDA STORE WHEN THE SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED. I HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT I AM IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT DUE TO OVER HEATING (FROM THE SERVICE TECH). MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT NOTIFIED ME THAT I DID INFACT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT AT A COST OF APPROX. $3500.00. THIS I NOW FIND IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ACURA WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. I WOULD LIKE FOR ACURA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND IF NEEDED RECALL ALL THE CARS AS IT POSES FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217073February 6, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR A FEW WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE FOUND A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN CHECKED FOR THAT RECALL IN 2004 AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215629January 22, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DRIVING TO WORK IN THE RAIN THIS MORNING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND WAS IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON A FOUR LANE ROAD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND THINK THAT THIS TYPE OF SAFETY FAILURE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215440January 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO 3RD GEAR ON MY 2003 TL-S. I HAD IT REBUILT AT 73,900 MILES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND WAS LOOSING HYDRAULIC PRESSURE & OVERHEATING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2003. IT'S A LATE 2003 VIN AND ACURA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. MY DEALERSHIP WANTED $3,750 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE IT. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP DID THE WORK FOR $2,600 INCL TAX WITH A 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215330January 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
MY 2002 ACURA 3.2TL WITH 77,440 MILES WAS IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AT A GOODYEAR GEMINI STORE, WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT ALIGN IT BECAUSE MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WHERE LOOSE BY ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH. SO I CALLED THE LOCAL ACURA STORE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS COMMON. SO I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR IF I SHOULD CHECK WITH PARTS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS IN STOCK? HE SAID NO I KNOW THEY HAVE THEM BECAUSE WE DO A LOT OF REPLACEMENTS OF THE BALL JOINTS. HE DIDN'T SAY IT SHOULD BE A TSB, BUT IF THEY REPLACE THAT MANY FAILED BALL JOINTS MAYBE IT SHOULD BE A TSB. I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, AND I AM IN THE AUTOMOBILE LEASING BUSINESS, SO I KNOW SOME THINGS ABOUT CARS. I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215338January 18, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
SRS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN PASSENGER RAISES UP FROM SEAT BACK. DEALER DOES NOT REPAIR BUT JUST TURNS LIGHT OFF, WHICH WILL COME BACK ON SHORTLY. DIDN'T SEEM TO BE MUCH OF A PROBLEM UNTIL SERVICE ADVISOR SAID AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN LIGHT IS ON. IF THAT IS THE CASE, IT SEEMS IT SHOULD BE FIXED INSTEAD OF COVERED UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215150January 16, 2008
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
REARVIEW MIRROR CONTAINS CHEMICALS THAT HAVE LEAKED OUT OF ITS HOUSING. THIS HAS CAUSED THE MIRROR TO BECOME DISTORTED AND DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF. THE CHEMICALS ARE A POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE MIRROR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214808January 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO AUTOMATICALLY BRAKE WHILE HIS FOOT WAS DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE HAS TO DRIVE WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A REAR END CRASH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT GAVE NO INDICATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE FEATURE WOULD DISENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE DUE TO WARRANTY ISSUES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO GRADUALLY DOWNSHIFT TO 20, 15, AND FINALLY 10 MPH UNTIL IT AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED. HE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE02081, IN WHICH HIS VIN AND WARRANTY WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH A RENTAL CAR DUE TO INCORRECTLY INFORMING HIM THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN HOME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213650January 3, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY TODAY, I ACCELERATED AND MY 2000 ACURA 3.2 TL WENT FROM AUTOMATIC TO SPORT MODE. I WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED AND THANKED GOD THAT MY SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR. THE D5 AND #3 WERE LIT AT THE SAME TIME. SINCE THE SHIFT WAS IN AUTOMATIC MODE, I COULD NOT SHIFT TO ANY OTHER GEAR. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER ABOUT A MONTH AGO BECAUSE OF A STRANGE NOISE WHEN MY CAR WAS IN REVERSE. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION.THE CAR WAS PLACED ON A MACHINE AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS MY AIR CONDITIONER. I FOUND IT VERY STRANGE THAT I NEVER HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN AFTER THAT VISIT. I CALLED THE DEALER TODAY AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION. I ASKED HIM WHY THE LAST DIAGNOSTIC TEST DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION (MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN SLUGGISH, SLOW TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, ETC). HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TEST WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND ANYTHING IF IT JUST HAPPENED. I HAVE FAITHFULLY KEPT MY CAR MAINTAINED. NOW THAT I AM ABOUT 15,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY, I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. I WILL SEE TOMORROW. SINCE OWNERS ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, EVIDENTLY THE EXTENDING OF THE WARRANTY DID NOT HELP. PEOPLES' LIVES ARE STILL IN DANGER.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213154December 29, 2007
TIRES, STEERING
TIRE SPECS -GOODYEAR EAGLE 235/45ZR17 94Y S2 EAGLE RESPONSE EDGE VSB ON 2005 ACURA TL WITH VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING. I RECENTLY REPLACED MY TIRES WITH GOODYEAR RESPONSE EDGE CARBON FIBER SIDEWALL TIRES. THESE TIRES PLAYED HAVOC WITH THE VAS SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CENTERED. IN FACT THE CENTERING CHANGED THROUGHOUT A DRIVE. CORNERING, ON ACCELERATION, THE CAR TURNED ABRUPTLY INTO THE CORNER, ON BREAKING THE CAR TURNED OUT OF THE CORNER WITHOUT MOVING THE WHEEL. REPLACED TIRES WITH DUNLAP SP 5000 WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM TIRE SPECS -GOODYEAR EAGLE 235/45ZR17 94Y S2 EAGLE RESPONSE EDGE VSB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213887December 28, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 ACURA 3.2TL WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER INSTALLED OIL JET KIT INFORMED ON THE RECALL. THEY ALSO SAY THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, HE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SHIFT CHANGES, AND GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER 2-4 MONTHS LATER THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ERRATIC SHIFTING AND A FEELING OF GEAR SLIPPAGE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 16, 2007 THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE INCREASED AND WHEN HE LET OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. RECALL#04V176000 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213031December 28, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS SYNCHRONIZED POORLY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 3RD & 4TH GEAR SMOOTHLY AND SOMETIMES WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE SHIFTED SUFFICIENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212858December 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WAS BROKEN WHICH MADE THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERABLE. AS OF DECEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE CAUSED THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 500. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211984December 15, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO GO OUT. VERY HARD SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR, THE CAR WILL JERK WHILE DOWN SHIFTING AROUND 40MPH. NOW THE D5 LIGHT IS BLINKING. FLATIRONS ACURA TOOK MY CAR FOR A 6MILE DRIVE AND THEN HANDED ME THE KEYS BACK AND SAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS. EVERY TIME MY FAMILY IS RIDING IN THAT CAR OUR LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211368December 10, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
BOTH MINE AND MY FRIENDS POWER STREEING PUMPS HAVE GONE BAD RIGHT AROUND THE SAME TIME IN OUR 2004 ACURA TL. RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MARK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211020December 6, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS THIS MORNING WHEN MY ACURA WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED ON THAT THE VEHICLE STABILIZATION SYSTEM AND ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING. I DROVE FOR A FEW MORE BLOCKS AND STOPPED THE CAR TO CALL THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID: "THIS HAPPENS UNDER ICY CONDITIONS. TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND SEE IF THESE SYSTEMS COME BACK UP. IF THEY DON'T YOU CAN BRING IT IN." IN FACT, THE SYSTEMS DID RETURN TO NORMAL ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. BUT, WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING ON AN ICY HIGHWAY. AREN'T ANTILIOCK BRAKES AND VEHICLE STABILIZATION SYSTEMS PRECISELY NEEDED FOR JUST SUCH CONDITIONS. IF THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" FOR THE ACURA DEALER, SHOULDN'T THIS BE REPORTED AND THE PROBLEM FIXED IN A RECALL? IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT THESE SYSTEMS SHOULD FAIL UNDER THE PRECISE CONDITIONS WHEN THEY ARE MOST NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210440December 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CODE READING PO470 WHICH ACURA SAYS ITS MEANS TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE AND ONLY 12K MILES FROM A RECHECK UP BY ACURA ON THE TRANSMISSION SAYING THE METAL FLAKES IN THE CASE ARE NORMAL. I THINK THERE IS A COVER UP TO THESE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTS FROM CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. ACURA CAPPED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT FAILS THE SAME WAY AND THE SAME GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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