Acura TL Complaints (2003)

391 consumer complaints on file.

#10409958June 29, 2011
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
2003 ACURA 3.2TL, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN IT LOST THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE GREAT LAKES PLAZA. *BF THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, LEFT FRONT ROTOR, LEFT FRONT FENDER AND UNDERCARRIAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0344-91)*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10409033June 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401471May 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND PAY $4500 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE LOCAL DEALER COULD MAKE A DECISION ON HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392527March 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK OR THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390316March 15, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 60MPH. PUSHED DOWN GAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE CAR ON MY LEFT AND SWITCHED LANES. CAR MADE GRINDING NOISE AND THEN ACTED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I CHECKED TO ENSURE THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I KEPT TRYING TO ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME DUE TO THE SUDDEN LACK OF ACCELERATION. I PULLED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND EXPERIMENTED WITH ACCELERATING SLOWLY. ONCE IT SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO UTILIZE 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN. I CALLED ACURA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP PAY FOR THE COST SINCE THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN IT WAS DEFECTIVE OUT OF THE FACTORY. IT WAS ABOUT 8 MONTHS PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ACURA WOULD NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST. MY MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR NOW DRIVES FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10385057February 25, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHT FAILURE. CONSUMER ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN FLAW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHIN THE SAME YEAR DUE TO A FAULTY INVERTER WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. THE INVERTER WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383011February 16, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND FAILED AT 54,000 MILES, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT,REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING AND SQUEALING AT 122,000 MILES. CONTACTED ACURA AND THEY ARE REQUIRING $1700 TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. DEALER ADDED STEERING FLUID AND NOISE DECREASE TEMPORARILY. STEERING STARTING TO GET STIFF, FEBRUARY 16, 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380915February 6, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL WITH 75K MILES, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR WHICH I PURCHASE FROM ACURA DEALER IN MAY 2002. IN JANUARY 2011, ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED JERKING AND SLIPPING. USUALLY BETWEEN 2 AND 3 GEARS. WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE'S RPM WOUD GO UP, BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AND THEN SUDDENLY CAR WOULD SHIFT TO THE HIGHER GEAR WITH A JERK. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AND REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP RESPONDED BACK IN A FEW HOURS THAT MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE LADY AT THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST $5000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND ACURA HAS AGREED TO COVER 80% OF THE COST. THAT MEANS I'D HAVE TO PAY $1230+TAX =~ $1345 OUT OF POCKET FOR ACURA/ HONDA'S FAULTY TRANSMISSION !!! THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LET ME TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DEALERSHIP AS THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY HANDED ME A LOANER FOR THE WEEKEND AND ASKED ME TO CONFIRM IF THEY SHOULD PROCEED WITH THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WORK BY MONDAY (FEB 7, 2011). ACURA SHOULD BEAR THE COMPLETE COST OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE LIFETIME WARRANTY. THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ARE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374769January 5, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 ACURA 3.2TL-S WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES. CAR IS IMMACULATE. TRANSMISSION BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE ENGAGING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. I TOOK TO HONDA DEALER, WHO TOLD ME TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,200! THE TRANNY WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL IN 2004 AND HAD AN OIL INJECTION SYSTEM ADDED. BUT ACURA DEALER NOW TELLS ME THERE IS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS VINTAGE TL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371742December 20, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER ENTERED INTO THE HOUSING OF HIS HEADLIGHTS, LEAKED DOWN INTO THE BALANCE AND BLEW THE BULB. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367807November 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC; THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,592.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367202November 22, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 60,000 MILES .VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL .PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365222November 10, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CLUTCH DOESN'T ENGAGE SOMETIMES. TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, D5 LIGHT HAS STARTED BLINKING AND THE TCS LIGHT IS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY NOW. TOOK IT TO AN ACURA DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT HAD A SLIGHT MISS IN IT BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE LAST FEW DAYS WHEN IT STARTED SLIPPING SO BACK AND NOT EVEN ENGAGING. THEN STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR, THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY DON'T PLAN TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE IT AS A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT CLEARLY IS IF YOU READ THE REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD VERY BAD EXPERIENCES, SOME TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. A TRANSMISSION ON A VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER GO BAD THIS SOON. ACURA DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND PEOPLE (LIKE ME) DON'T HAVE $3,000 - $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 3 MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP WHO ONLY OFFERED A 30 DAY WARRANTY AND THEY AREN'T WILLING TO PAY FOR IT EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364194November 5, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR STARTED JUMPING. WHEN I PULLED OFF FROM THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD RACE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. ONCE I GOT TO THE NEXT LIGHT I TRIED TO PULL OFF BUT THE CAR JUST STALLED AND WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER. I BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY FAILURE LIGHTS SHOWING. THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAD ALL IT'S REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. ACURA RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND IT WAS REPLACED AT APPROX. 47K MILES. I'VE PUT APPROX. 97K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE FOR THE SECOND TIME. I'VE CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS FOR ESTIMATES AND ONE SHOP TOLD ME THAT HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS IN 34 OTHER 2003 ACURA TL'S IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE. AND, ALL OF THESE WERE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE INITIALLY REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THEY PUT IN MY CAR IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS WARRANTIED UP TO 100K MILES. WHEN I CALLED IN FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ONE FOR 50K BY ONE DEALER AND THEN A SECOND DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ONLY FOR 36K. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH AN ACURA TL 2003 REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FROM THE HONDA MOTOR CO. (ACURA) WITH THIS ISSUE. ACURA HAS DONE NOTHING TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362891October 29, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHICH CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK AND THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE CONTACT MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE UNTIL IT RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A TEAR DOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE 3RD GEAR CLUTCH PACK. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION SIMILAR TO THE 2ND GEAR BREAKAGE PROBLEM. THE DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED CLUTCH PACK WAS FOUND CLOGGING THE FILTER AND VALVE BODY WHICH CAUSED ERRATIC UNINTENDED DOWN SHIFTING AND POSSIBLY MULTIPLE GEAR ENGAGEMENT. UPDATED 04.22.11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362800October 28, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME ABOUT A "SILENT WARRANTY" THAT ACURA HAD ON '03 TL MODELS THAT WAS EXTENDED 7 YRS OR 100K MILES. WHEW! I'M IN LUCK, I THOUGHT, I'M IN THE 7TH YEAR AND I HAVE LESS THAN 100K MILES! I TOOK IT TO ACURA WHO SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T COVERED WHEN ACURA ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. ACURA SAID THEY'D PAY FOR HALF OF MY TRANSMISSION AS GOODWILL, BUT WE'D BE OUT OF POCKET $1750!!! UNACCEPTABLE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. THE MORE I'VE LOOKED INTO THIS ISSUE THE MORE I REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WHO HAVE THIS SAME MODEL YEAR AND HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE ACURA ADMITS FAULT WITH THE MODEL. I NOW HAVE A LUXURY HONDA PAPERWEIGHT SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. CAN'T SELL IT, CAN'T TRADE IT IN AND REFUSE TO PAY THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. BAD FORM ACURA, BAD FORM!! I WON'T BE BUYING ANYMORE ACURA OR HONDA PRODUCTS THAT'S FOR SURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362209October 25, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON SEPT 3 2010 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 45 MPH GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM THE SERVICE ROAD WHEN SOMEONE CAME FROM THE FAR LEFT AND HIT ME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT - FRONT LEFT FENDER AND FRONT LIGHT, AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF - NOTE THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF AS WELL AS THE RESTRAINT DID NOT HOLD ME BACK ON IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10362165October 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO GET LOOKED AT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NO LONGER WORKED. AFTERWARDS, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360067October 12, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST TRANSMISSION POWER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 86,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357858September 27, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO DISPLAY A HIGH LEVEL OF RPMS AND THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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