31st Dec 2007, 19:48

Don't lose sight of the safety aspect of suddenly losing your trans at any moment... my wife and kids are worth more and we got out. It's a harrowing experience that can happen at very bad timimg. I wish we hadn't lost so much money, but it is not worth the alternative in my opinion. We had a 2002 TL Type S.

5th Jan 2008, 12:44

Have owned a Acura 2000TL for 4 years and just last month the Transmission went. The dealer went good for a rebuild (no cost to me) But... two weeks later it now has gone again! great rebuild taking it back today. Hopefully will get a reliable transmission installed this time! Other than the tranny I have loved this car (other than the speeding tickets)

15th Jan 2008, 16:49

My Husband and I have owned a 2003 TL Type S for a year and a half. Bought Used 80,000k. It now has 140,00K. The tranny just failed. Was in the car with my 20 month old son, and barely made it through the intersection before it left us dead on the side of the road. We are not covered by this extended warranty. I am in Canada. Have contacted Acura Customer support; they are looking into it, but I fear the worst... $4600 ticket to fix it at the moment. I am looking for any suggestions or contact info of customer support people who may have been a great help... Please help! This will be the key; they have the chance to make a loyal customer here or lose one...

16th Jan 2008, 14:56

I traded our loaded 2002 Type S for only $10,000 in fall 2006 for that very reason because of my 2 young children being in an unpredictible situation with sudden trans failures. It was a financial loss fortunately not a family loss. The absolute worst depreciation we ever had, but worth it... I reviewed this on an earlier comment. We now own new GM's.

16th Jan 2008, 20:22

Like the rest on this site, our 02 Acura TL Type S is now experiencing the gear shifting issues. We purchased this through private sale 4 months ago and only have 76,000 miles (obviously we didn't do enough homework). I called our one Acura dealer in the area and was told this car already had the recall transmission replaced before and since this was rebuilt salvage, it was not covered. Has anyone else been successful in getting multiple transmissions covered under warranty with a rebuilt car? My NY state title doesn't state salvage, but I was aware of the rebuilt status.

31st Jan 2008, 10:51

2002 Acura TL-S original owner with approx 85,500 miles. I was aware of the transmission problems shortly before buying the car. I got a good deal and thought Acura had solved the problem as I bought late in the model year. I had the recall on the transmission done when it was issued. I thought I noticed some slippage from 2nd to 3rd, but since i did mostly light city driving and mroe highway driving, it was not a consistent or repeated problem. Recently, the slippage became more noticeable and repeated. I took it in (Acura in Gaithersburg, Maryland) and with no hassle I am getting a new transmission. Not sure about the warranty on this transmission. Any suggestions on how to deal with this before leaving the dealer with the new car?

The car has been trouble free otherwise and I have not had any sudden loss of the transmission that seems to be a serious problem on this forum. Right now, I am worried about the length of warranty on the new transmission and whether it will last another 85,000 miles or longer. I do not know what the useful life of a modern transmission is, but I expect at least 150,000 miles. I had an infiniti G20 that lasted only 115,000 miles.

How long is the warranty on the new transmissions? Is is 12 months/12,000 miles? Any luck holding Acura/Honda responsible for failures beyond the 12/12,000 warranty?

7th Feb 2008, 13:34

I purchased an 02 TL-S in March of 2007 with roughly 52000 miles on it. So far I have not had a problem. I drive over 40 miles everyday to work and back (80% highway) and the car now has over 66000 miles on it. I notice sometimes it does shift hard, but I haven't experienced any major issues like the ones listed in these postings. After reading these posts, though, I am definitely weary of this vehicle and am thinking of selling it before it becomes a (my) problem. I love this car, but if this is what I may be in for, I think I might be in the market for something else. Thanks to all for the valuable info.

13th Feb 2008, 08:41

I have owned this car new (3.2TL Type-S) since May 9, 2001 and have only had the car fail on me once (dead battery). My car is no garage queen, but a daily driver with 137,000+ km (~86,000 miles). Handles well (when you upgrade the factory Michelin tires), quiet, plenty powerful, and good fuel economy for a "260" horsepower car (old SAE measurement). While the transmission problem can be daunting, it's hit or miss. I am still on the original transmission and it shifts just fine. I have only felt it 'slip' a handful of times when cruising at 30mph (50km/h).

While the transmission issue may 'tarnish' the Honda quality armour a bit, I would not hesitate to recommend Honda products. In fact, my spouse drives a 2007 Acura TSX (with my strong recommendation to Honda engineering).

15th Feb 2008, 18:40

I have a 2002 Acura TL Type-S with ~ 69,000 miles on it. I got in used from a dealership 2 years ago. Noticed the slipping in the transmission about a month ago, but didn't think too much of it. Then last night it wouldn't shift from 3-4th and when it finally did the car lunged forward. Took it in this am, needs a new tranny. covered by warranty, but worried about what I read about the new tranny having issues too...

22nd Feb 2008, 20:22

I'm currently thinking of buying a 2002 Tl Type S (Pearl White on Tan leather with the Acura Skirt kit) I'm in Canada, Ontario and want to know if this would be the biggest mistake of my life, I have a 1997 Accord right now which is an amazing car, but want something newer. This cars got 135000km on it and its listed for $11500, should I skip on it???

24th Feb 2008, 10:35

To the Canadian considering the 02 TL - I wouldn't buy it. It may not be the biggest mistake of your life - but I wouldn't even consider a TL or CL made between 99-03. The information is out there - these are not reliable cars. Even if you got an incredible deal it simply isn't worth the risk of having an accident - it isn't about the money, its about safety. Go with an 04 or later TL or an RL from any year - or just go with another car make of your choice. I still have my 01 TL, but if I had it to do over again I would not re-buy this car.