6th Dec 2009, 09:21

Hmmmm drive shaft in an Acura TL... You must have paid for the ultra ultra ultra performance package.

6th Dec 2009, 10:46

"Hmmmm Drive shaft in an Acura TL... You must have paid for the ultra ultra ultra performance package."

What is this even supposed to mean? All cars have driveshafts... Did you think that only rear-wheel drive cars had driveshafts? As in that long pipe running from the back of the transmission to the front of the differential? Front-wheel drive cars have that too, except they have 2 driveshafts running out from the sides of the differential that is attached directly to the transmission. Either way there's a driveshaft. And driveshafts need replacing after awhile. More so on front-wheel drives because the drive shafts have to rotate with the left and right turning of the front wheels around corners. If an Acura TL (or any front-wheel drive car) didn't have driveshafts, it'd be going nowhere. I think this is what you may be confused on.

18th Jan 2010, 17:47

So then, how is the car itself, an Acura TL, responsible for its own poor tire wear? Got mine in July 2004 and now, according to my dealer at my level 2 check-up, need a whole new set... after 40 thousand miles. Better yet, what kind of tire should I buy? What tire is best for my car? --Mike Y.

26th Mar 2010, 14:55

I need to ask. I am about to purchase a 2004 Acura TL. It looks so nice and handles well. I need all the opinions, before I actually buy it. Can anyone give me some smart advice. I need to have it ASAP. If you have an Acura, how well do you actually like it, and is it hard on gas? This is a beautiful looking car, but do you think I may have problems? Please give me your honest opinion of this vehicle.

4th May 2010, 14:37

Nice car, but at 75k the transaxle shifts rough, hits the rev limiter once in a while, and keep in mind it is a 5 speed auto. Changed the trans fluid when I got it with zr1 and 12 quarts, so it stopped the 2nd and 3rd gear shake.

Tires wear poorly, although they are worn on the outside and inside. Previous owner could have had them under inflated.

Lots of rattles, but they come and go. Visor rattled for a good 5k, now I never hear it.

5th May 2010, 07:59

I have bought soft compound tires; they lasted 20000 miles.

5th May 2010, 16:48

My Acura TL Type S (2003) lease return came with Yokohama V4s, which only lasted 33,000 miles. Replaced with Dunlop SP Sport Signature 225/50 R17; highly rated on tirerack.com. Only drawback is they are "W" speed rated and come with no tread life warranty. Buy "V" if you want a warranty and can find your size.

21st Jun 2010, 10:26

I bought a 2004 TL about 2 years ago, and since then I have had to replace the power steering hose (2 times), the transmission, and a few other here and there parts. With all that said, I now have an appointment to have it looked at again. The car won't start (but all the electrics come on, battery is fine) and now it won't shift out of second gear. It's like the computer is going crazy in the car. I can't think of what else it could be! Any one with these problems?

30th Jun 2010, 17:30

I own an 2004 Acura TL. The horn works on and off. I have to punch it sometimes to make it sound. The dealer looked at it and says I need to get a new airbag replacement ($800). I just had my dashboard replaced because there was a 6 inch crack on the dash that developed into a 12 inch crack, all within 3 months.

Anyone have this happen to them? Thanks.

30th Jun 2010, 21:06

After reading 6 years worth of comments about premature tire wear on the Acura TL, I have not read one suggestion as to why this happens.

Is it the tie rods, the design of the suspension, the tires, rack and pinion steering? Someone out there must have been able to fix this problem.

Please comment. I do not want to replace various parts of the suspension if it will not help.

1st Jul 2010, 13:27

My alignment shop told me that Japanese car companies use such flimsy components in their frames and suspension, that the weight of the cars themselves cause the frame members to twist. I had this happen, and was told I'd have to have the sub-frame rails straightened by a frame shop, but that unless they were reinforced, the problem would most likely come back in a few months.

I solved the problem by trading for a much more solidly built domestic car. No problems at all with it.

1st Jul 2010, 20:30

Our Honda Odyssey is solid, and has kept its alignment and has over 135,000 miles on it. It doesn't pull like the Acura. I think the overall design of the Acura TL body (2004) has some flaws. Our 2003 TL held up nicely and kept an alignment, although after a pretty big fender bender, we had to replace the control arms, but replacing the rack and pinion steering really fixed its alignment. I don't think replacing the rack or control arms would fix the 2004, because I've read of alignment problems since the 2004's were new.

2nd Jul 2010, 17:00

My import has never even needed so much as an alignment in the 180,000 miles I've owned it. I've never had any tire wear issues beyond just normal wear. Only vehicle I've ever owned that had alignment issues due to flimsy components that bent under their own weight was a domestic.

22nd Sep 2011, 19:14

I have an 04 TL, and mine makes a horrible whine. Most likely, as is my problem, you have a crack in your power steering pump. Probably near the top, if you don't notice fluids.

12th Dec 2011, 18:14

The first car I ever purchased new when I turned 40 years old was my 2004 Acura TL. I paid $36K for it, and I have been mostly disappointed with the quality overall. I owned 3 Honda Accords previously, and never replaced anything but oil, gas, tires and brakes, and other consumables.

On my TL, this is what I have experienced:

1. On 3 different occasions, I have had the door trim piece next the handle fall off, and have to be replaced. I wonder if door #4 will eventually have this problem?

2. Tire wear is awful, but what is worse is that I have had tires lose air intermittently, and without any cause that could be determined by the local garage. I replaced one wheel because they suggested that maybe it was cracked.

3. At year six, I replaced the fuel pump/regulator for around $1,200.00. I have NEVER had to have a fuel pump replaced on any car. It had less than 55K miles.

4. My engine mounts have failed, and I am currently waiting for an appointment to have them replaced. Again, I have NEVER replaced engine motor mounts.

5. The car rides rough, and makes all sorts of rattles and noise. My wife drives a 2000 Infiniti I20, and it rides like the day she bought it.

WTF?

5th Jan 2012, 08:24

I've had my 2004 TL for 110000 miles and have had no problems. The original tires are not as good as what you can find on the open market. I think your rain issue is a tire issue, not the car.