4th Jan 2007, 11:22

I started feeling reluctant gear shifting in my car about a month ago. Last week, my brother was in my car with me when it happened and he told me that it was the transmission and that it seemed like the gear was slipping. I took it into the dealer on Jan 2nd, got a nice loaner while they diagnose and fix my problem. I received a call from them the next day to confirm that it was the transmission. I had 128,XXX miles on my 2000 TL, but they said they got the district manager's approval to replace my transmission free of charge. I was so relieved to hear this w/o having to argue my case at all. Everything was handled for me w/o any hassles and it makes me want to continue my relationship with Acura after my great experience with their service. I haven't gotten my car back yet, but so far I'm very pleased with how my car problems have been handled by them. I wish all of you could have had the same experience I had. (Of course, let's hope that my new transmission doesn't die again before I'm done driving it!)

RS

Chicago, IL.

6th Jan 2007, 02:22

Left my 2001 Acura TL (bought brand new, now has 46,000 miles) with the dealer today. After dropping my daughter at school, I noticed my transmission slipping between 2nd and 3rd gears. The transmission slippage on my car happened very suddenly, no warning of any kind. Having previously known about the TL's transmission problems, I immediately drove to the nearest Acura dealership, about 2 miles away, barely making it to the service department before complete transmission failure.

Since this transmission problem had been a known issue with Acura for at least 3-4 years now, are they still installing transmissions that would eventually have this premature failure? Can any owners with transmissions replaced within the past year post on their experiences? Thanks.

11th Jan 2007, 15:05

January 11, 2007.

This web site has been very useful. I now know that there are many, many owners in the same predicament as myself. I purchased a used 2002 TL type S Acura only ten months ago. All repair records were available and the car had only been serviced by the Acura dealer. Even though I was aware of possible transmission problem, I though the fact that Acura had replaced the transmission at 65,000 miles would mean the faulty transmission had been replaced with one that worked. After reading the comments on this web site, I now know I did not do enough research. I was just told by the Acura dealer that I need a new (third) transmission at 125,000 miles. The car is no longer under warranty, and the only suggestion the National Customer Service office and the local Acura dealer can offer is to have the transmission replaced at a cost to me of $4500.

It is back to Toyota for me. If Acura is not willing to stand behind their products, I have no intention of spending this kind of money on what becomes a “disposable” car.

11th Jan 2007, 19:43

I sold mine because of the safety issue and was upfront about it. I took a beating, but do not regret it for a moment. If you have to replace the transmission do not repeat it twice is my only recommendation. It will really bother you.

18th Jan 2007, 21:44

My 2002 TL-Type S w/NAV had just 44k miles when I purchased it used in 2004. Since then, it has performed flawlessly and I now have 103k miles on it. However, yesterday, January 17th 2007, as I was running errands with my wife around town, I noticed that the car would slip and lurch erratically when moving from a dead-stop, such as when leaving a traffic light. It happened 4 times in a row! Well, a quick call and visit to the Acura dealership this morning - where my car has always been serviced - confirmed my deepest fears... the transmission needs replaced. Thankfully, as the class action suit covered not only my VIN, but also vehicles under 109k miles, Honda will pick up the $5000k tab for this work. Needless to say, I still owe on the car, but am now fully prepared to get rid of it upon its return to me. Next up, a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The TL was awesome, but the postings I've read here are enough to tell me that it's akin to taking a risk - whenever you get behind the wheel of this car - and I'm not willing to take that chance.

24th Jan 2007, 12:04

Hello, we have a 2003 Acura 3.2 type-s w/Nav. We have had all the same problems three transmissions, battery dead, electrical problems. We have had horrible dealer experiences and contacting customer service has lead no where. We have higher mileage, but considering the numerous attempts to repair our vehicle that have failed we have decided to seek representation. If you are tired and you have had the same problems we are willing to point you in the right direction. We recognize that these unfortunate problems DO NOT apply to all Acura's, but for those who have had the misfortune we are willing to tell you what we did to save you time and headaches. We recently had SUCCESS at finding representation and are hoping to put an end to our Acura woes. Good luck!

Contact info was previously listed in a comment with a detailed list of what was wrong with our vehicle.

Here is our contact info:

Permanent.trannyfix.info@gmail.com.

18th Feb 2007, 12:20

I just bought a 2002 Acura TL Type S with 173,000 km (Canadian) which is about 110,000 miles.

The car is amazing, but on Friday I drove into Toronto and the transmission started acting up, wouldn't shift properly, and was slipping in between gears. I took it into an Acura Dealership and they diagnosed it and got code P0700 - A/T Failure, Needs Replacement.

It still drives and is okay when it's cold, but I haven't driven it since I brought it home from Acura that day.

Acura Canada headquarters told me that they could not find any of the service history and therefore could not help me out. As I said I just purchased the vehicle, so I am not sure where it was maintained. $4050 plus tax, installed from Acura.

The place I bought it from told me that they would cover the labour if I buy the replacement transmission because I have only had it for 30 days. Should I have it rebuilt ($1550), buy a used 2003 trans with 60k km on it ($1400), or buy a new one from Acura ($3200). I'm leaning towards rebuilding it, but am afraid of it blowing up again.

Does this problem only apply to the Type S TL's? I was into american cars, and had a Mustang before this, but decided that the Acura would be more reliable based on Honda's reputation and would be a better choice, but I don't think that anymore. Not impressed. Does anyone have any advice for me, anything is appreciated as I don't even know what to do next.

shelby_daytona@hotmail.com is my email address if you do. Thanks.

Jay.