20th Jul 2010, 20:15

I am planning on going back to grad school and just purchased a 2002 Acura TL with 56k on it. I took it to the dealer for servicing, and they informed me the original owner had the tranny replaced at 44k miles. After reading all of your comments, I am now wondering if this was a wise decision. I purchased the car used from a Ford dealership, but got a three year 30k bumper to bumper warranty on it. I hope everything is truly covered. Does anyone know if Acura will pay for a new transmission after they have already replaced one?

25th Jul 2010, 09:28

I purchased a 2002 Acura TL-S Series in 2005 with 22000K on it. I have only put another 64000K on it, and now I am having transmission problems. It seems to have different symptoms every day. From slipping to jerking, and now driving in 5th gear, I got a severe clunk that actually jerked my neck. The motor light just came on as well. The Acura dealer just did the recall, and said they couldn't find anything wrong with the transmission. Has anyone else experienced these problems?

26th Jul 2010, 11:12

I am the second owner of my Acura 3.2 TL Type S. I've had the car for a year and a half and never had any problems. I have put 17xxx miles on the car and have had no problems. I feel sorry for everybody else.

26th Jul 2010, 17:58

11:12 We had absolutely no problems up to 28000 miles when mine had its first trans replaced. Purchased brand new. We sold ours at 41000 miles, licked our wounds and bought new GM. I felt bitterness (still), but regrets about selling it; zero.

27th Jul 2010, 11:35

I checked this page because I'm sitting on the sell or keep decision on my 2002 TL Type-S, and a friend warned me about the tranny issues that will pop up in a Carfax report.

Perhaps I've been lucky, but I bought the car in 2004 with 24k miles on it, and have driven it to 108k, with the only semi-costly repair being the timing belt and water pump replacement at 95k.

Car is still in immaculate shape and runs well, but all of the comments have me worried. Should I suck up my losses and sell (given that I'll get screwed on the resale by the Carfax report), or should I just plan on a $4,000 replacement and hope it gets me through another 3-4 years??

28th Jul 2010, 14:45

My 2002 TL had the transmission replaced at 56k, and now needs another at 161k. I contacted Acura about financial consideration, etc. as recommended by others. They take into account how many Acuras you own (have owned), whether you have it serviced by Acura, the age of the car, etc. In other words, if you got them to pay for the transmission out of warranty, you probably have spent the money with them in another way (service, purchases, etc). I bought the car second hand and have it serviced by a great (non-dealer) mechanic... so it looks like my chances of financial consideration are not good...

30th Jul 2010, 10:31

Getting 100,000 miles out of a Honda/Acura transmission is almost unheard of. Many of these units fail as early as 30,000 miles. I'd just consider myself very lucky and buy something less problem-prone next time.

2nd Aug 2010, 07:47

2002 Acura 3.2 TL-S. Original owner. 135K well cared miles. Three transmissions replaced under paid for ($1200) extended warranty. Last one in 2006 (Oct). The car is slipping 2-3 again. Was told I needed a new transmission. Serviced by Acura for almost the entire time (110K). Not sure what to do. Amazing that a company like Honda can put in defective transmission after transmission for so many owners. Amazing. USA cars might be looking better and better?

6th Aug 2010, 23:51

I personally just dropped a rebuilt tranny in my 02 TL Type S. I have had the car for a year and a half; purchased it with 93k, and it now has 138k when I spent 2800 dollars for the rebuild and tranny cooler.

Overall the car has been great and shifts like brand new. I suggest not going to Acura and paying upwards of 5000 dollars for a new transmission, when really they have not fixed the altercations. The tranny itself over heats due to improper coolant flow, thus why I now have a cooler solely for the transmission.

4th Sep 2010, 14:56

My 2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type S has only 79,250 miles, and the transmission had a problem slipping from second to third gears according to the Acura dealer, but the Acura company doesn't replace the new one, because they said I bought the car for nine years. I think they should replace the new one for me, because my car has only 79,250 miles, and this is manufacturer problem. I need help, and if anyone knows where I go for help, please let me know at vanhanvo@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance.

7th Sep 2010, 22:56

I am the original owner of a 2002 Acura 3.2TL typeS, which has had all recommended services.

The tranny went out at 30k, Acura installed a new tranny free of charge. My car is now at the dealership with 130k in need of another tranny and Acura said they will pick up 1/2 the cost.

I love my car but after reading all the comments am not sure if I want to keep it. How long will the rebuilt tranny last? Has Acura fixed the problem?

I know I will never buy another Acura or Honda product.

17th Sep 2010, 00:16

Hey guys, I just recently noticed that my 2002 Acura 3.2 TL is having transmissions problems. It seems to be having a problem between 3rd and 2nd gear, especially when it is automatically down shifting. I have about 195,000 km and bought it around May 2002. Any suggestions on how to go about this problem? I don't know if Acura will cover that, as I am over.

18th Sep 2010, 07:01

When my tranny went out at 28000 miles, I started looking for another car, and sold mine at a third of what I paid. Not everyone would do that, but it was my final Honda product.

27th Sep 2010, 16:56

Bought 02 TL with 93K miles.. Thought it would run.. Because it is Honda.. I was wrong.. I now have 104K and a broken transmission... Contacted the dealer and the 1-800 Acura # both have refused to assist.. I was told to pay 4800, if it needs repairs.. There got to be some agency that helps consumers for faulty parts... Specially when there is a recall on it... I m taking off my transmission myself, with the help of my mechanic friend, and will rebuild.. Can't afford a newer car or taking it to a dealer... arifanmemon@hotmail.com

24th Oct 2010, 02:34

I have a 2002 Acura TL-S, that I've had the tranny rebuilt this year, and it leaked all the fluid once already. The guy told me at first there may be a harness problem. It still did leaking again. He tells me now that it will get hot, and leak or over flow, and wants me to put a tranny cooler on the car at extra cost. Does anyone know about this over flow, or leaking problem? The 2 times it happened, I was on a 100 mile trip...