Acura TL Complaints (2003)

391 consumer complaints on file.

#10118752April 30, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY LOCAL FITNESS CLUB VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A ROARING NOISE, ACCELERATED, PLUNGED FORWARD, AND STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THIS HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I NOTIFIED THE OWNERS OF THE OTHER VEHICLES, AND PROMPTLY CALLED THE POLICE. WHEN THE POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED, HE COMPLETED EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION FORMS FOR ALL INVOLVED PARTIES. HE ALSO TOLD ME TO BE SURE TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT MECHANICALLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THEN, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR INTERNAL MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE SAID THERE WERE NO ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATIONS OF MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW SET. I AM POSITIVE THAT THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113710April 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
'RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED FOR 2003 ACURA TL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER IS UPSET THAT THE DEALER KNOWINGLY SOLD HIM A VEHICLE THAT HAD A RECALL AND DID NOT DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL NOV 2004. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. (RECALL 04V176000). *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR IMPROVEMENTS, INTEREST AND PAYMENTS. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116524April 7, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I STARTED THE ACURA 3.2TL TYPE S AT 6:45AM, THE ACURA HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR DRIVEN THE PREVIOUS 14 HOURS. ENGAGED TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, THE GEAR LOCKED UP AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND AT THE SAME TIME A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I MANAGED TO STOP THE ACURA AFTER 30 FEET WHERE I WAS ON AND OFF MY PARKING AREA AT MY HOUSE. BY THE TIME I HAD STOPPED THE CAR FLAMES, SMOKE & FUMES WERE FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, I COULD NOT GET THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED, MY NEIGHBOR NOTICING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD RUSHED TO MY AID FOR HE COULD SEE THAT I WAS IN THE CAR AND I WAS PUSHING ON THE DOOR WITH MY FEET IN AN EFFIORT TO ESCAPE THE BURNING ACURA. I WAS OVERCOME FROM THE FUMES AND SMOKE WHEN HE PULLED ME OUT OF THE NOW THE RAPIDLY BURNING ACURA, THE FLAMES HAVING ADVANCED TO THE FRONT SEAT. HE PULLED ME OUT WITH MY HEAVY JACKET ON FIRE AND THE BOTTOM OF MY PANTS AFLAME. HE MANAGED TO GET MY JACKET OFF AND THE FLAMES OUT ON MY PANTS AND WE MANAGED TO GET AWAY FROM THE BURNING ACURA THEN IN THIRTY TO FOURTY SECONDS THE FIRE HAD PROGRESSED TO THE REAR OF THE ACURA AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS A FIREBALL. I SUFFERED 2ND & 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON MY LEGS. APPLETREE ACURA, FLETCHER, NC HAD PERFORMED RECALL (CAMPAIGN ID #: 04V176000) ON DECEMBER 8TH, 2004 AT 42,000 MILES IN WHICH THEY DID NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION BUT PERFORMED A REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE ACURA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10117025March 29, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, PUSHING IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND CAUSING DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO THE BACK SEAT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR PAIN IN HIS ARM AND LEGS. CONSUMER WAS X-RAYED, AND THEN INFORMED HE HAD NERVE DAMAGE, AND WAS REFERRED TO AN ORTHOPEDIC S. IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10114776March 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TIRES:SIDEWALL
I OWN A 2003 ACURA TL TYPE-S. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I'VE EXPERIENCED MOMENTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T RESPOND TO ACCELERATION (I.E. WOULDN'T DOWN SHIFT). THE CAR JUST SEEM TO COAST SLOWLY INTO TRAFFIC, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET INTO VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION I HAD WAS REPLACED DUE TO BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID, I'M JUST UPSET THAT I WAS ALLOWED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAD MENTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS TO THE DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY LEASED THE VEHICLE (ACURA OF TROY), ABOUT TIMES WHEN THE CAR JUST SEEMED TO GET STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. HOWEVER, I FEEL I NO LONGER CAN DEPEND ON THE DEALER TO GIVE ME ACCURATE INFORMATION. THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL PROBLEM AND DANGEROUS. I'M AFRAID FOR MY LOVED ONES AND MYSELF WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK CAR INTO ANOTHER DEALER (SUBURBAN ACURA) WHERE THEY REPLACED MY FIRST TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE, NOW I'M HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND ONE. I'M STARTING TO GET A BURNING ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE NOW. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. HOW CAN SOMEONE CHECK A TRANSMISSION IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR LESS? I WANT OUT OF THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THIS IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR, AND NOW I'M DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT HAS REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND A BURNING ODOR. AGAIN, I'M AFRAID FOR MY WELL-BEING AND THOSE OF MY FAMILY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110944March 7, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR STUCK. CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES IN ORDEER TO STOP. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS REPLACED.*AK THE COSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113296March 2, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10112274February 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE STEERING FAILED. I WRESTLED THE CAR -- BRUISING MY HAND -- INTO THE TURN AND ENDED UP ON THE CURB. THE ENGINE APPARENTLY HAD STALLED, CAUSING THE STEERING FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GO ON MY WAY, AFTER BACKING OFF THE CURB.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110766February 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE IS A 2003 ACURA3.2 TL. THE ENGINE ACCELERATES AT RANDOM AND WHILE IN PARK OR IN GEAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110270February 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 38000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECENTLY SERVICED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE BY ACURA. THIS IS THE THIRD ACURA THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FIRST VEHICLE (2002) WAS REPLACED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE SECOND VEHICLE HAD TWO FAILURES AND WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED WITH A 2003 MODEL AFTER NEGOTIATION WITH THEIR MEDIATION GROUP. IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE IN FACT DEFECTIVE, GIVEN THE FACT THAT HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD DID FINALLY ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE. BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN WITH ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I ALSO FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY FAMILY?S SAFETY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AMENDED INFORMATION PROVIDED OVER THE PHONE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111063February 8, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING OFF THE DEFROSTER TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO CLEAR THE BACK WINDOW. WINDOWS STEAM UP VERY BADLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110863February 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, PAUSING TO LET ANOTHER VEHICLE PASS. THEN, TRANSMISSION FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106139January 11, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE CEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A RECALL DONE. WHAT THEY DID WAS INSTALL AN OIL JET TO LUBRICATE THE 2ND GEAR BETTER.(2ND GEAR IS THE SUPPOSED CAUSE OF FAILURE) . AFTER THE OIL JET WAS INSTALLED THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I WAS OUTRAGED. I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION FLAT OUT DIED. THE CAR WOULDNT SHIFT GEARS AND I HAVE TO DRIVE IT HOME IN 2ND GEAR. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I AM IN NO FINANCIAL POSITION TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110915January 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. *NM RECALL CAMPAIGN : 04V176000. WHILE DRIVING IN FIFTH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE AND FEEL LIKE IT WAS HUNTING BETWEEN GEARS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUTTER. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS THE SAME AS THE FIRST AND INCLUDED THE ENGINE REVVING AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN D5 IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. REGARDLESS OF WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NO POWER WENT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095435December 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101693November 26, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NHTSA RECALL 04V176000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER HAVING REVISING THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101683November 15, 2004
TIRES:SIDEWALL
FAULTY NO BENT OR SCRATCHED ON RIM. SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR TIRE. *BF THE VEHICLE TIRE HAD A RIP IN THE INSIDE WALL. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098478November 8, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I TOOK MY ACURA TL-S 2003 IN FOR THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE ON OCTOBER 27, 2004. AT THIS TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD BE EXAMINED FOR DAMAGE DUE TO INCORRECT LUBRICATION. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL BEFORE THIS. THE EXAMINATION WAS DONE, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOOKED FINE AND THEY HAD INSTALLED AN OIL JET KIT. ON NOVEMBER4, 2004 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC HOME. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO LOCK CAUSING A SUDDEN DECELERATION THEN ALTERNATED BETWEEN SLIPPING AND LOCKING. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED, I AM CONVINCED I WOULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT. AS IT WAS I NEARLY WAS REAR ENDED BY AN UNSUSPECTING MOTORIST BEHIND ME (IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND OF COURSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ALERT THAT MOTORIST). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM VSA OFF LIGHT LIT UP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ACURA WHERE THEY "CONDEMNED" THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL BE PUTTING A REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING SINCE THEY LOOKED AT MY PREVIOUS ONE, MADE THE CHANGES THAT THEY BELIEVE WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEN MY TRANSMISSION STILL FAILED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM, SOONER OR LATER!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096491October 27, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
A PLUG FELL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HOLDING THE PLASTIC BODY MATERIAL TO THE FENDER. IT FELL OUT AND CAUSED ME TO FIND A METAL SCREW TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, I WENT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR/GIVE ME A NEW PLUG, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $254,00 & LABOR AND AN AUTO BDY SHOP TO PUT IT ON. HOW LUDICROUS CAN THAT BE. AM I WRONG IT MY CHALLENGE TO THE DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096280October 23, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN
TWICE, MY ACURA TL HAS SLOWED DRASTICALLY AS I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED IN THE FREEWAY FAST LANE. BOTH TIMES I PULLED INTO THE RIGHT LANE, AND BY THEN THE CAR SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE CAR DEALER AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD "NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT." MY INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF ACURA TL TRANSMISSIONS. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO INPSECT THE TRANSMISSION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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