2002 Acura TL: complete transmission failure

Filed Sep 1, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 210,000 miles · SD

Automatic/manually shifts, manual gears d4 shift stuck in gear and causing electrical and engine problems. Transmission failure occured.

Filed Mar 29, 2016 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura tl. While driving at 40 MPH, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and PCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 05/10/16*lj updated 12/13/2017

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · Transmission · 103,500 miles · IL

Transmission failure for second time. First failed after vehicle was 4 years old with 30,000 miles in 2005. Acura stated the transmission was defective and replaced it with a new one under warranty. Second one failed after car had 103,500 miles on it 8/21/15 even though I followed the maintenance prescribed by the manufacturer. Acura refused to participate in any of the cost of $5,100 quoted by the dealer for a re-manufactured unit. When the unit failed the car would lose all power to the wheels presenting a dangerous condition in that vehicles behind could have easily rear ended me. In other instances the car would not shift up properly and then lose all power which if this occurred in busy traffic could have resulted in a serious accident. Acura is full aware of the defects in their transmission and have tried to present it as an incident that only affects some of their vehicles and that the problem was fixed with an update to the transmissions. I feel this is not true and you may agree with all the complaints being filed. Clearly although these are older cars at this point the problem remains and can pose a danger. I hope serious injury or worse does not have to occur before something is done. Also, acura should have covered this because the problem has not been cured.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Transmission · 59,841 miles · CA

In sept 2008 I bought the 2002 acura tl with automatic transmission from original owner. It had 48,440 miles on it. The safety problem e.g. Unexpected sudden jerk followed by car shooting forward did not happen until around 09/06/2014. On 09/08/2014 I called american honda motors (ahm) at 1‑800‑382‑2238 (option 4) and was advised by [xxx] to send the car to an authorized acura dealer for diagnosis. He said there was an extended warranty covering 109,000 miles and 7 years 9 months on 2002 acura tl with automatic transmission but it had expired. He also said as my car had less than 60,000 miles on it he could present the case to management. Concerned that I might kill someone due to cars sudden jerk and unexpected shooting forward if driving, I had the car towed to the dealer kearny mesa acura at 5202 kearny mesa road, san diego, ca 92111-1801 (tel 858.430.5600). The dealer said in its written 3-page diagnosis that the transmission must be replaced at $4,400+tax. Their technician said my car had the same transmission problem as the other early acura tls that he had worked on. I faxed the 3-page dealer diagnosis pages to ahm. Today 09/16/2014 [xxx] of ahm at 1‑800‑382‑2238 [xxx] informed me that her district representative refused to help citing the expired warranty. I asked her to appeal my case as I felt the rep should not be the sole person to make a decision on it. I feel ahm should help me because after all it was the well-known 2002 tl automatic transmission design flaw which caused my huge safety problem. For 6 years since I bought it I have only driven 11,411 miles, so I feel it is totally unfair that ahm refused to help me. I am unable to pay the $4,400+tax for transmission replacement. But if I do not have the transmission replaced, how do I go to work or shop for food? I am pleading to the federal safety agency to help. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · CA

I bought my acura february 2011. Since then I have had 2 transmission failures and have spent well over $1400.00 each time I got it fixed by the certified mechanic. I still have my receipts and only got a 1 year warranty first time and a 3 month warranty this past time . It seems like I am paying more for the transmission alone than the value of the car. The engine is great but I am afraid the transmission is going to fail again and I cannot afford to buy another car or fix the problem if it does fail again. This is a concern for me because the first failure was very scary for me and my family. We were driving up a steep hill to overview a city we visited and the transmission shut down and we were inclined. I did not know how to approach this situation with 3 minor children and as a single mother. It was very overwhelming and I was petrified. Then come to find out not so long later after getting the transmission fixed, the transmission went out again. I am very concerned and have blogged and read alot of complaints about this car. You can youtube google all kinds of info on these acuras with constant transmission problems. I think the manufacturer intended on this malfunction for profit as a automechanic. It is very unfair, unsafe, unjust with them selling cars that do not last 5000 miles and then have the transmission fail over and over. I am the owner of the 2002 acura. Please keep me informed about this car and if there is any way someone can help me get warranty for free because it is really unfair. Thank you for your time and concern. God bless what you guys and girls are doing.

Filed Jul 17, 2012 · Transmission · 50,819 miles · NY

My vehicle was purchased in 2002 and since then I have had four incidences where while driving the car at 55 - 60 MPH the car lost power, there was a grinding noise and the car came to a halt in the middle of the highway. This happened in december of 2003 (50,819 miles), november of 2005 (91,460 miles), november of 2007 (129,435 miles) and most recently july 17th with (201,000 miles). As I drove on the lie driving westbound around exit 40 my car lost power and began to slow making a loud grinding noise. In the previous three cases the car needed a new transmission. I pulled the car over and after towing it to a station I was told I needed a fourth transmission. I have contacted acura and they told me they could not help. The car has the original engine and I have a notice from acura stating early on that the transmissions on the acura 2002 tls were defective. I contacted the attorney general's office to appeal to this agency and apply the lemon law but the law only applies to new cars. They gave me this site to state my case. As I mentioned to acura for a luxury automobile to still have a great working engine and have gone through four transmissions, I believe their is a safety issue with these transmissions. Not to mention the fact that the transmission gives no warning when it breaks down and one is left with no power at high speeds on the highway.

Filed Apr 24, 2012 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura tl. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral and decelerated without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice before and the transmission had to be rebuilt. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Updated 05/21/12 *bf the dealer stated a new transmisison was needed and it was cost $5300.the transmission was replaced three times. Updated 06/04/12

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura tl. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced january 2009 because the vehicle would stop accelerating between first and second gears. The manufacturer replaced the transmission with a refurbished transmission yet the exact failure recurred. Both transmissions failed due to excessive heat buildup. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that they would not replace the transmission at their expense a second time. The failure mileage was 109,000 and the current mileage was 135,201.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Transmission · NY

2002 acura tl type s, has had three transmissions suddenly fail, two at highway speed, endangering the driver and occupants. Apparently from on-line reports, this is quite common for this vehicle. The transmission suddenly and without warning, seized as if the brakes were slammed on. This occurred three times: april '03, july '06, and july '11. Twice acura (honda) claimed that it replaced the transmissions. However in light of the subsequent same failures, that claim is suspect unless its engineers have still not fixed the problem, and knowing so, have continued to endanger its customers by not repairing it.

Filed Jul 30, 2011 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · MD

Transmission failure 2002 acura 3.2 tl failure occurs after driving for 20 minutes, results in difficulty in shifting and interferes with maintaining safe driving. Attempt to correct failure by manufacturer was unsuccessful in 2004 and repeated failures were in evidence in 2011.

Filed Jul 19, 2011 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura tl. The contact stated that the transmission failed and was replaced on three occasions. The manufacturer covered the costs of all three repairs because they were aware of the design flaws. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 184,205.

Filed Mar 22, 2011 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · PA

My 2002 tl s type was at a red light when my transmission went for the second time. When the light changed the car acted as if it were in neutral, the engine revved but the car didn't go. I had it towed to the dealer and filed a case with their corporate office. When the case manager reviewed it, he said that they didn't feel as though they should have to pay. They also asked me how much I think I should pay. I told them I didn't think I should have to pay anything for a faulty transmission that wasn't ever manufactured properly. Knowing that no matter how many times it goes that it will never be right, no matter who pays for it. I pulled up my VIN # to find info that the warranty extension was extended because of known "defects in the material or workmanship." this is going on the third transmission. I bought it precertified from the dealer in 04 and in 05 my transmission went the first time and the second this march 11. They provided me with a refurbished one. Now that one has broke, which leads me to conclude that the defects in the material didn't get any better each time they changed it. I think they should replace the transmission for life!