4th Oct 2008, 01:21

Really glad I found this web site. I had been looking at getting a Lexus SC 300/400 but liked the Acura 3.2TL as reviews/appearance and prices for used ones seemed very attractive. Will now return to looking at the Lexus SC/LS as their reputation is unblemished. More money, but cheaper and more reliable in the long run.

15th Oct 2008, 13:49

I have bought an Acura TL Type S 2002.

The transmission went out in July 2006 at 102 000 KM. Acura (in Canada) replaced it for free on the guarantee. They told me that the guarantee is extended up to 175 000 KM or 93 months.

Last Saturday, my transmission went out for the second time at 160 000 KM. When I have called Acura, they told me that the transmission they installed in 2006 was the old model, and they changed it since that time. So, I just got a call from them and they will change it again on the guarantee... hope it's the last time :)

2nd Nov 2008, 11:28

I had a 2003 TL-S. My TL-S was covered under warranty. Had 8 transmission replacements (9 trannies total). I finally traded it at 95K miles in for a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT last month just prior to the TL-S coming off warranty. My Acura dealership never asked questions about the tranny. When the tranny went out, they replaced it and gave me a loaner during the week they held the car. This happened on average about once every 10 months. My advice, if you have a 2001 to 2004 TL, trade it in for another make just before its warranty is up. Do so now before the word gets out more that it is. (I couldn't sell my car myself, was lucky to get a decent price from the GM dealer.)

2nd Nov 2008, 17:29

I bought a '99 TL in Oct '01, with 19K miles on it. Great car for a while, a long while. I was good with maintenance, at first at the dealership and then I found a guy with a private practice (garage). At around 99K miles (May '08), the tranny went. I had all recalls taken care of but it seems (and reading this board will show), Acura can't get their head out of their A$$ when it comes to this problem.

I checked the Honda settlement website and my VIN number was covered thank g-d. I called Acura customer care (I highly recommend this approach, dealerships have profit levels to worry about and don't want to deal with this, but they will take care of any work that "corporate" tells them to do because they'll get paid) and gave them all details, and even though I was over on time (not miles) they decided to cover my new tranny with goodwill. I had heard (even from this board) that the new tranny's they were installing as replacements were failing, but I couldn't believe it would happen to me, after all, it's 2008 already!

The dealer said when I went to pick up my "fixed" car that unfortunately because it's goodwill, there is no warranty. I asked what happens if my tranny goes out again, and he shrugged. (Acura is in a bind here, they don't know what to do!) Well, not long after my new tranny (about 5 or 6K miles), my tranny is slipping again. It's not bad yet, isn't always noticeable as I don't drive often. I'm not sure what to do. I think maybe if I call corporate and tell them that 5K miles for a new tranny is kinda ridiculous, they'll agree and provide yet another new one, maybe one that lasts more than a bicycle chain.

I am going to sell this car either way, either with or without a new tranny. Acura makes quality cars and I'm sure their new ones are fantastic (although we won't know until some more years pass), but this TL episode has been badly handled and with me even being a 2 time Acura owner, I must say, they lost my business for life, as the'yre not standing up for their product. Time for a Lexus...

23rd Nov 2008, 18:04

I bought a 2001 TL with 55,000 miles on it back in 2004. Transmission went out at 93,000 miles. I am at 192,000 miles and the transmission is going out again. I don't think it is asking to much for a HONDA built car to run more than 100,000 miles without the transmission dying. I know this is two transmissions in less than four years. This is ridiculous. Everything else on the car is marvelous. I always thought I would never buy another car other than an Acura but not if I have to factor in the cost of transmissions every four years.

16th Dec 2008, 20:06

I bought a 2003 TL S-Type brand new. In summer 2007 the transmission failed with only 23,000 miles on the car. Amazing. The dealer installed a remanufactured transmission - covered by Acura (even though I was out of warranty they were embarrassed to have a failure at 23,000 miles).

Well the new transmission never worked quite right - I took it back to the dealer twice and they said it was fine. They commented it was programmed differently to avoid future problems.

Well about 14 months after the replacement (3,000 miles) I noticed some wetness under the car - I take it to the dealer and they state there is leakage from the axle seals. I told them that was crazy since it is a new transmission - they claimed that the seals aren't new on a remanufactured transmission! That is BS -- it was a result of improper installation and damaging the seals while installing the axles. Anyway, they wanted to charge me $350 to fix their own sloppy work. I decided to just add fluid -- well after adding quite a bit I realized the dealer never put in sufficient fluid after the replacement --- now that the transmission is fully lubricated it works as good as new.

31st Dec 2008, 00:37

I just got the tranny replaced on my 2002 Acura TL Type-S today 12/30/08 at an independent mechanic (2nd). Got 1 year, or 12,000 mile warranty. Can anyone tell me if the new trannys are any good. Should I sell my car?

31st Dec 2008, 09:41

I don't think anyone can tell you to sell your car or not. It should be based on your financial and security situation. If you don't feel secure in that car and you are worried it will fail you at a bad time then trade it in. If you aren't worried so much about security then look at your finances and determine if you'd be OK trading it in or if it would create a financial hardship.

Personally I don't drive much, it's 90% local, and I'm willing to continue driving my car. I can also afford to pay for another transmission if mine fails or buy a new car if I desire. So I'm willing to take the risk and continue to drive my "paid for" Acura. But if I had kids or drove out of town a lot I'd be in a different car right away.

It's really up to you. I don't think anyone can accurately predict if a replaced transmission will fail. I've had my replaced trans in for nearly 30k miles now (3 years) - no problems - but I'm not confident it will last another 30k. I've read all the reviews and some people never have any more problems and some do - there is just no way to tell for sure.