Tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving 65 MPH, the transmission locked which caused both front wheels to lock and the vehicle to skid. The contact maintained control of the vehicle and continued to drive until it reset itself. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. Updated 02/10/11 *bf the consumer stated a tear down of the transmission revealed premature failure of the 3rd gear clutch pack. The failure appeared to be excessive heat from lack of lubrication similar to the 2nd gear breakage problem. The debris from the failed clutch pack was found clogging the filter and valve body which caused erratic unintended down shifting and possibly multiple gear engagement. Updated 04.22.11
2003 Acura TL transmission complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 246, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My transmission began slipping when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. I took it to a mechanic who told me about a "silent warranty" that acura had on '03 tl models that was extended 7 yrs or 100k miles. Whew! I'm in luck, I thought, I'm in the 7th year and I have less than 100k miles! I took it to acura who said that my VIN number wasn't covered under the warranty. I don't understand how my VIN number wasn't covered when acura admitted there was a problem with this particular model. Acura said they'd pay for half of my transmission as goodwill, but we'd be out of pocket $1750!!! Unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. The more I've looked into this issue the more I realize how many people are out there who have this same model year and have the same exact problems. The transmission should be replaced free of charge since acura admits fault with the model. I now have a luxury honda paperweight sitting in my driveway. Can't sell it, can't trade it in and refuse to pay the money to get it fixed. Bad form acura, bad form!! I won't be buying anymore acura or honda products that's for sure.
While driving on a major highway, my car died in the middle of traffic. After taking my car to get looked at, it was discovered that my transmission no longer worked. Afterwards, I found out that there was a recall on my particular make and model.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura 3.2tl. The contact was driving on the highway at 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost transmission power. The contact was driving up a hill when the vehicle began to move backward. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission). The current and failure mileages were approximately 86,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura 3.2tl. The contact was driving approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle failed to accelerate any further. The engine continued to display a high level of rpms and the contact shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 118,000.
Transmission failed while driving up a hill. Caused car to lose acceleration, nearly got rear ended while pulling off the road to safety. Initial transmission failed at 23,000 miles. This is the 2nd transmission failing with only 116,000 miles on it. Defective transmission.
1. The gears in my acura 2003 tl begin to slip between 2nd and 3rd gears on a saturday morning at the end of a family beach trip and soon there after on the way back home which was over 200 miles away the check engine light came on. 2. About halfway home(100 or so miles), the transmission completely failed on the open highway, and my wife and I was left stranded in the rural north carolina with a 1 year old and a 5 year old. 3. After all this happened, I learned of a recall on the acura tl 2003 transmission. According to acura.com and the dealership, this defect was fixed by installing an 'oil jet kit' or 'oil cooler return line' to help lubricate the 2nd gear and keep the transmission from overheating. I do not think it was fixed because of the symptoms of my transmission failure. I have called the honda\acura corporate office, the nearest acura dealership and the dealership of the original purchase of the vehicle. I have gotten the same answer from all of them, "there is nothing we can do". I think this is unacceptable and very frustrating. I have also become aware of a warranty extension that was made on 2003 acura cl and tl models because of a class action lawsuit filed against honda of america. The extension was for 93 months or 114,000 miles. My car is under the 93 month extension but outside on the 114,000 miles.
1. The gears in my acura begin to slip on a saturday morning at the end of a family beach trip and soon there after on the way back home which was over 200 miles ways the check engine light came on. 2. About halfway home(100 or so miles), the transmission completely family on the open highway, and my wife and I was left stranded in the rural north carolina with a 1 year old and a 5 year old. 3. After all this happen, I learned of a recall on the acura tl 2003 transmission. According the acura.com and the dealership, this defect was fixed. I do not think it was fixed because of the symptoms of my transmission failure. I have called the honda\acura corporate office, the nearest acura dealership and the dealership of the original purchase of the vehicle. I have gotten the same answer from all of them, "there is nothing we can do". I think this is unacceptable and very frustrating.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura 3.2tl. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH when the vehicle began independently braking. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission would need replacing. The dealer advised that the vehicle could potentially fall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission). The manufacturer was contacted but it was not confirmed if the vehicle was included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 109,779.
2003 acura tl sudden downshift from 5th to 2nd.
A day before while driving my acura's vsa light came on and within few miles engine light came on. By the end of the trip the car was having problem shifting gears especially in lower. Next day the problem worsened and the car just stopped while I was trying to make a turn in the middle of the busy intersection. I had to tow it to nearest dealer where they informed me that its the transmission. It has been fixed back in 2004 and it will cost me $4900 to fix it now. I asked them about recall and they said I don't have the warranty anymore so it is not covered. I have talked to acura case manager about helping us but they only are going to assist with about 500 dollars that's not much.
Acura 2003 tn-s can turn off engine with car in neutral. I did and it rolled away. It is repeatable.
2003 acura tl jerks like the driver is pressing on the brakes even though she isn't. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle would suddenly stop and then go again. Also, the engine light illuminated.
2003 acura 3.2 tl. Consumer states problem with transmission slipping. *tgw the consumer stated the transmission has started to slip again for the second time. The consumer stated the vehicle was recalled for transmission problems, but she was never informed about it.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission began to slip out of gear without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle resumed operation and the failure continued. The contact had driven with caution at an extremely low speed. The contact stated the failure was contributed to the transmission. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 71,900.
Purchased used acura tl3.2 feb. 1, 2010. Transmission failed. Slippage in 2nd and 5th gear. Car unsafe to drive because in traffic would not accelerate because of slippage. Contacted dealership where car was sold originally. Refused any assistance. Called acura hot line and refused any assistance. Contacted 12 reliable sources regarding replacement. Contacted 6 reliable mechanics and paid for installation of rebuilt transmission. Sent letter to president of customer service and telephone call placed to me advising no assistance. Inferred because used car not purchased from acura dealer and installation of new rebuilt transmission not done by acura dealership would not offer any good faith assistance. Believe recall should be done on this vehicle. Already did one on 2nd gear and added something regarding oil and reheating. Also timing belt recall. Recall on 2nd gear obviously did not work. Would advise anyone not to purchase this model vehicle!! Previously owned honda accord and acura integra excellent vehicles. 3,.2 tl not excellent vehicle manufacturer needs to recall vehicles and reimburse customers for cost of transmissions.
Replaced transmission 20,000 miles ago with the dealer and now is acting up again. I have a surging problem with the RPM's in which it goes up to 4,000 RPM's at times. This problems often occurs everyday while im driving in heavy traffic. I've had an accident in the past but nobody was injured , and almost hit a pedestrian on the streets. I replaced a couple of parts and have done work to the car so the problem could go away but has continued often and everyday and I still have the old parts with me. I've had service appointments with the dealer. The dealer replaced the transmission and gave me a lifetime warranty on the new one . I believe they don't want to put a new one in , but I am concerned with my safety and others who I put in my car .
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura 3.2 tl. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the tcf light illuminated. The vehicle downshifted and began sputtering. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealership for repair. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission) and he would be responsible for repair costs. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 71,000.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) acura 2003 3.2tl common transmission failure codes po740 and po730. Shifts erratically like millions of others. Vin # is not on the list. We have learned this is the 2nd time in. Honda city in wisconsin - dealer scammed us. Carfax did not list the repair!!! Dealer is telling us to drive it in and risk our lives!!! !!! The dealer should drive it himself. Honda corporate is not taking any action. 1‑800‑422‑2872 amanda case # [xxx] . Why is the government not taking action !!!
Was traveling on I-20 with family and transmission in 2003 acura type s just blew out with no warning traveling seventy miles an hour. Coasted to side of interstate and had to get out and push car further out of harms way. Hot transmission fluid created smoke from engine compartment and left us stranded sixty miles from home. New transmission was installed in this vehicle in 2007 at dealership with 50,000 miles on it and now it goes out again with about 50,000 miles on it. Dealer would only give ten percent towards goodwill fix paid thirty two hundred out of pocket. This year and model was involved in a lawsuit in california but the VIN number on my car as well as numerous others was not included but should well have been. Acura service manager told me this is a weak product but that was putting it mildly after getting on the internet and reading all the consumer complaints on this exact model and year across the country. These transmissions are still defective and should be replace by honda for free. Consumers are trading and getting rid of the cars because they feel they are a safety threat to their family. My daughter was driving us to a graduation when this happened and it scared her to death happening at that speed on the interstate. This product is well documented as being a piece of crap but consumers like me have no recourse but suffer the loss and hope for the best out of the next transmission. When people have to put three and four transmissions in a car with a hundred thousand miles on it somebody needs to step in and protect the consumers. I would like to know what difference was made during the VIN number on my car and same models before it that were covered under the lawsuit. Evidently the same transmission problems still existed in all these models. Just read all the threads on www.carsurvey.org/reviews/acura/tl/r71264/comments.
There was a sudden downshift in gears while driving in the vehicle and changing freeways late at night. The car, as a result, decelerated quickly in fast moving traffic almost causing an accident. The car was pulled over to the side of the freeway and was rendered inoperable due to transmission failure. The car was part of the acura 00-04 cl & tl a/t recall (automatic transmission second gear inspection). As part of the recall, if the car was over 15,000 miles, the dealer would inspect the gear for heat discoloration. If they found discoloration, a new transmission would be installed. The car was over 15,000 miles at the time but the dealer reported no discoloration. As a result, only an oil jet kit was installed only. Due to a large number of cases of transmission problems with the tl and a class action lawsuit, acura extended their transmission warranty for model years 1999-2002 and included only some 2003 depending on VIN number. My vehicle is a 2003 model, but did not fall within the VIN number cutoff. Therefore, my car does not qualify for the transmission extended warranty. I have a found a large number of other complaints on this website, as well as others, regarding 2003 acura tls that did not make the VIN number cutoff but still suffered from transmission failure. Obviously, there is a safety issue regarding these cars and their transmissions that was not addressed in the initial recall. (the appropriate repairs were not made). The second recall, with the extended warranty, also does not appear to cover all vehicles effected by this transmission problem.
My 2003 acura tl-s transmission, 83,000 miles. Based on the research I've done online. It seems that there are major problems with this model.
I own a 2003 acura 3.2tl, the transmission failed while I was driving it home the other day. I almost caused a major accident on the highway I was traveling on. If it wasn't for the other driver on the road I would have been in a serious accident. After finding thousands of acura tl owners all across the country who have experienced the same. I think it only fair to have this mater investigated by your company. Acura needs to accept that they designed a poorly functional transmission that should be replaced regardless of vehicle mileage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. The contact stated while driving at approximate speeds of 60 MPH, the vehicle shifted from drive to neutral without driver intent, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic and testing. The dealer advised the transmission would need to be replaced. The dealer would not offer any assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 72,000.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2003 acura tl 3.2, [xxx] mileage: 55,189 after driving for a few minutes, auto transmission does not pull, similar to the transmission being placed in "neutral". Acura taken to leith acura, cary, nc on 4/14/10. Dealer service dept identified the following computer codes: p0740-torque converter clutch, p0730-gear incorrect ratio, & p0700-shift malfunction. Based on these codes, dealer recommended transmission & torque converter to be replaced (total cost approx $ 3400). Dealer contacted the regional acura office, which provided a 45% adjustment to the original cost. Net charge by dealer $ 1,783.19. This vehicle was subject to a recall in 2003-04 (the federal safety agency campaign id # 04v176000). The modification to this safety recall was completed on 9/10/2004 by tischer acura, laurel, md with mileage @ 8,426. Per the invoice from tischer & since the mileage was less than 15,000, the recall instructed the dealer to "install an oil jet kit", which was completed. Note, if the vehicle had more than 15,000 miles, the safety recall instructed the dealer to "replace the transmission". Based upon the history of this particular acura, I believe the dealer in 2004 should have replaced the transmission instead of installing an oil jet kit. Many acuras manufactured prior to the 2004 model had serious "transmission problems" which were included in other "recalls".
Ltr regarding problems she is experiencing with her 2003 acura 3.2tl. She would like a thorough investigation into this matter. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would hesitate when accelerating. On august 14, 2009, the vehicle stalled. The consumer was able to get the vehicle to the dealer. The problem was thought to be the battery and timing belt and the consumer was charged $ 1,371.49. On december 12, the vehicle started jerking into gear. The vehicle was dropped off at the dealer. The consumer received a call from the dealer stating the vehicle needed a new transmission.
Complete failure of the automatic transmission in my 2003 acura tl 3.2 with only 70,000 miles.
2003 acura tl transmission suddenly failed car had 99,500 miles ,was towed to acura dealer , told $4300for new transmission because I didn't fall with-in VIN # for 105,000 mi free replacement (early 2003) I feel problem was not fixed in mid 2003 and I should be covered.
When I shift gear I notice the car pulling forward. It's becoming more of a problem it happens constantly.
I purchased a 2003 acura tl type s 2 years ago with 99,000 miles on it. Last week the transmission was slipping from 2nd to 3rd gear and wouldn't go into 3rd gear. That problem still persists and has gotten worse. The car now has 139,000 miles on it, I put 40,000 miles on it the last 2 years. I called acura to see if they would stand behind their product but they said since the car is out of warranty they cant do anything. I took out a loan to buy this car and I still owe on it. I don't know if I will ever buy another acura because of this experience.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Acura TL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history