2002 Acura TL Type S 3.2 from North America

Summary:

This car has been very reliable and will keep it for a long time

Faults:

My transmission needed replacement at 75,000 miles. I now have 91,000 miles and the trans fluid is darker than normal. I brought it in to the dealer and they are going to replace the transmission again, along with a new computer. The service manager, at the Acura dealership in Westmont, IL, said the problems which have accured with the transmissions is actually caused by a bad computer. They will be replacing both my trans and computer this time, while still under my extended warranty.

General Comments:

The performance of this car has been remarkable.

It has been very reliable with the exeption of the trans problem, which was replaced under warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th November, 2006

2002 Acura TL TYPE S 3.2 VTEC from North America

Summary:

The transmission was the only reason I sold mine!

Faults:

Transmission!!! Rear disc brakes worn out before fronts, Tires are expensive replaced at 38,000 miles. I owned the Type S 4 door sedan.

General Comments:

I really loved this car, but felt it was unsafe with the transmissions. I felt I was driving a time bomb at all times on the interstate with the transmission issue. I owned a Legend previously an outstanding car and didn't do my homework this time (such as knowledge of this site at the time) regarding the transmission. I automatically felt it was as nice as a Legend and didn't research this issue. With 2 small children I did not want to jeopardize their safety any further as when the transmission suddenly fails at any time it could cause a fatality. I just traded the vehicle in with only 43000 miles this week for $9500. That's right $9500. On the positive the options, performance and styling were absolutely outstanding. The Bose sound system will also be missed. I loved the black with black leather combination. I kept it immaculate and garaged, but apparently dealers know too of the transmission recalls and I took a real bath on selling the car. Still I really enjoyed driving this model and would have kept buying Acuras, but am unsure if I would again. I have very mixed feelings as I loved everything about this car, but the safety of my family was worth more than my loss.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th November, 2006

4th Nov 2006, 15:06

Correction on my mileage entry I bought it with 30,000 miles on the odometer/second owner.

22nd May 2007, 17:41

I have the same sentiments. I love the car, it is just that I am on the 6th transmission now, including the original. Each time the transmission has been replaced, a new broken one has been installed. The last time it was replaced, it was slipping and inoperable the next day. I am actually afraid to drive this car anymore. I took my child's car seat out and we cannot use this car for family trips anymore, just short distance drives or myself only driving locally to work, risking my safety. The dealerships have been so rude, almost like it is my fault they have a safety recall on the car.

2002 Acura TL 3.2 from North America

Summary:

Nice family car - if not for the transmission problems

Faults:

Our car has 129,000 miles; at 78,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced due to the recall. Just 10 months later the car is in the shop again receiving its second transmission. The car is driven a lot - freeway mileage, however, this is not something that should be happening to an Acura. Realistically, 129,000 miles is not a lot of miles for a semi-luxury car. I am in the process of finding out what Acura can do to fix this problem. This is obviously not an isolated incident, as many have had the same problem. I am also considering further action. If interested, please e-mail your problems concerning the transmission and contact information to carmeng.73@sbcglobal.net.

After reading the many postings on this site and others, this is a very serious problem. There are a lot of victims out there that should be compensated for the inconvenience that these problems have caused.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th September, 2006

17th Oct 2006, 13:16

I have an Accord and have had issues with it as well. From what I've been able to gather it seems since around '98 Honda has been unable to build a decent transmission. I bought a Honda because of their "reliability", now I cannot wait to sell this thing and go back to a decent car! Probably will end up with a Mazda again, I've had several and never a single problem with any of them. Wish I had bought the 6 instead. I will defiantly never buy another Honda car again.

17th Oct 2006, 20:24

Yeah, you would get good deals with a Mazda. I have seen some 626's in my area that are priced about 1/4 the price of a DX Accord. Even if it was the ES model. I bet the 6 is pretty close, but at least 50% the value of an Accord DX. I feel bad for those Mazda people who bought new and took a hard hit on resale.

8th Feb 2007, 13:40

I have a 2001 Acura 3.2TL that had the transmission replaced at 15,000 miles and now, at 91,000 miles, the transmission is slipping. Is Acura still covering transmissions with the 2001 models?