Yea the vehicle was purchased september 2019 @185k miles and started having problems around april 2020 @ 250k miles my , this month after driving for about an hour you could say , my car over heated and the battery and electricity sensors and such stopped working which causes all my lights to come on my dash including my engine light so I hope the battery doesn't cause my car to barely switch gears or idle unlock the gasket has blown but I don't even drive fast so pls help , the reservoir was shooting water and steam and I looked up recalls recently and saw that there were 2 on these so I was hoping could I get a replacemt or repairmant ? I'm going through the moving process so I'd now some type of transportation please
The worst 1996 Acura TL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes5
- Engine5
- Transmission4
- Airbags3
- Suspension3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes5
- Engine5
- Transmission4
- Airbags3
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
- Electrical2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
- Risk
- The vehicle could lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting the transmission into the park position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a redesigned bolt.
Recall number 99V227000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
- Risk
- This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
Recall number 99V069000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Acura TL 23
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem...
- DTC P0441( incorrect purge flow) after engine or throttle body replacement
- DTC (diagnostic trouble code) P1457 (evap leak at canister) sc
- Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on
- Airbag on off switch
- Airbag on/off switch application chart
- Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic
- A/c compressor control logic
1996 Acura TL fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
What 1996 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was headed up a hill when I pulled over to the side of the road to let an emergency vehicle pass. When I attempted to reenter traffic, there was a loud bang, some grinding noise, and a jolt as the vehicle began to roll backwards. I was startled when I immediately placed the vehicle in park but it continued to roll down hill. Then I engaged the parking brake, (I never use the parking brake due to an unfortunate happening in the past with a different vehicle). I attempted to put the vehicle in drive, thinking the transmission needed only to reset itself when a loud grinding noise began to emanate from the underside of the vehicle, along with smoke coming from my hood. At that point, I left the vehicle there and had it towed to a shop where I was informed that the differential had somehow become disengaged from the transmission.
May 2013, on a straight road, at 8:55pm. Motorist traveling towards me speeding with bright lights on. Motorist made contact with my car on passenger side fender and door. Motorist hit and ran and later told police she thought she hit an object. At the time of impact there was a loud explosion as the airbags deployed, darkness, an awful smell, smoke, I could not see, I lost control of the car as the car veered across the street to on- coming traffic. I thought I had died, but as the car stopped in the grass, I felt the brakes and realized I had not died. I exit the car coughing as my chest felt like it was on fire, I could barely see, my eyes were burning, then I realized I was hit. Neighbors came and offered to help; I told them that I was not feeling any pain, yet . After effects: burn on both forearms, right side of face felt like someone slapped with an object-like a hot bath towel, feeling of dust in my eyes, watery eyes, loss of taste of food, constant tiredness, feeling lethargic even 9 months later, severe pain and numbness in right leg and right arm, lower back pain not severe, the urge to keep my eyes close, cannot remain asleep for extended period, and when I wake I want to keep my eyes close, three times did not go to work because my heart palpitating all day like I am having an heart attack, used a cake because I was limping.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 acura 2.5 tl. The vehicle was serviced at the repair shop for a dead battery. The repair shop advised that the vehicle would not shift into gear. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id 99v227000 (power train: automatic transmission). The current and failure mileages were 56,569. Returned usps, 2nd attempt made 07/24/07 failed. *lj ,
1996 acura seat belt didn't lock and air bag didn't deploy during accident**cc the consumers wife hit a tree and consequently her head went over the steering wheel and hit the windshield.
Got estimate from dealer for 2600.00 dollars for mechanical repair on a free 41 point inspection. Took car to another shop and had repaired for 119.00 dollars.
2.
The problem is: at certain combinations of RPM and speed, the engine labors. It causes excessive vibrations, which continue until either the speed or RPM is changed. It is not related to traveling up or down an incline. Taken to acura dealership several times and they stated they were unable to reproduce the problem but noted that it shifted hard on 1-2 upshift and flushed the transmission system. This did not fix the vibration. When I took the car back in for same problem they stated the front brake rotors were warped and replaced front brake rotors and pads. Took car back to dealership with same problem again and the tires were then balanced. Problem continued so I determined they couldn't find the problem and gave up.
1996 acura tl windshield wipers failed on the vehicle.*mr the wiper motor has been replaced twice. This wiper failure resulted in poor visibility while driving in rain.
Our 1996 acura 3.2 tl has 40,000 miles on it. Abs light came kept coming on. Brake fluid was added, which resolved the problem for a few days. The car was taken to the local acura dealer, jerry damson honda/acura and was checked out. According to the service dept., the ABS modulator would need to be replaced, a cost of approximately $2100 - they did drain and bleed the ABS system but that only solved the problem for about 2 months. The dealer is not inclined to resolve this problem to everyone's satisfaction, as the car is out of warranty as to its age, not necessarily mileage. This is a safety feature, and a product that must be reasonably durable, and this failure occurred long before it should have. As this is a major safety feature, and the ABS system is tied to the traction system, its failure to operate properly may have serious consequences. Our research has shown that most owners simply disconnect the system as the cost to fix it is exorbitant. According to the service department, they see the failure of the ABS systems on this year of car more in cars that are driven in a reasonable manner.
Compare the 1996 Acura TL
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Questions about the 1996 Acura TL
Is the 1996 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 1996 Acura TL, fewer than a typical TL model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Acura TL?
Brakes, with 5 complaints. Next is engine (5).
How many recalls does the 1996 Acura TL have?
2 recalls, covering power train and suspension.
What year does the Acura TL have bad brakes?
The Acura TL model years with the most brakes complaints are 2002 (21 complaints), 2004 (16 complaints) and 2006 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Acura TL range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 23 highway.
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