2003 Acura TL: complete transmission failure

Filed Mar 18, 2022 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2016 · Transmission · PA

Transmission. Recall. Transmission died while driving at high speed on interstate 76 west. Acura should replace under recall.

Filed Jul 29, 2015 · 103,000 miles · GA

In 2006 I purchased this vehicle 2003 acura tl types vehicle...the vehicle only had 53,000 miles on it at the time of purchase....I replaced the transmission in 2008 it only had 103,000 miles then...now 2015 I need.another transmission with only 165,000 miles on it now...I see where there is a recall on the transmission in 2004 I didn't have the vehicle at that time. I need to know what I need to do about this.

Filed May 21, 2015 · Transmission · 76,334 miles · WI

Sudden and premature transmission failure at highway speeds

Filed May 30, 2014 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

Transmission failure/transmission lock-up while driving at about 40 MPH. Luckily I was able to avoid a very close call collision when the transmission locked up. Someone could have been severely hurt or even died due to this known issue. What is it going to take for acura to issue a full recall? How many people need to experience this issue and how many people need to die? Something needs to be done and an investigation needs to be opened. Acura and honda are not standing behind their product, even with the fact that there is an open campaign. Extending the warranty does nothing for a car that is only driven a few miles to work daily. I have just over 80,000 miles on my 2003 tl. I guess it is shame on me for not driving 15k miles a year. Had I been driving the national average the transmission would have seized up many years ago and it would have been covered by the extended warranty. What a scam. Thanks for nothing honda/acura.

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Transmission · 159,099 miles · NC

There was a recall on my transmission in 2004. I bought my acura from an acura dealership in macon ga in 2007. I had to pay for a new transmission in 2013. I feel that I should be refunded for my transmission. I was never told anything about the recall anytime I was at the acura dealership nor did I find anything when I looked up my VIN number until after the transmission was already fixed. On the recall it says "if have already paid to have transmission replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement". I sent all my information to acura about 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything from them.

Filed Jan 29, 2014 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · MA

I was driving down the highway and my car almost stopped. It was like I had pushed the brake pedal to the floor and held it. It then wouldn't shift into gear and the RPM went up to 6000. It is now unsafe to drive as it doesn't shift into gear and "bucks" as I try to go down the road. I went to an acura dealer and they told me it would cost me $4500 to replace transmission without looking at it so they are very aware of the problem. I called another dealer and left message and they never called me back. In researching this issue I found there was a recall for the exact issue I was having. My car did have the so called "fix" completed in 2004. I took great care of this car and changed my transmission fluid approximately every 30000 miles. I called american honda motor company and they told me I would have to pay to have it diagnosed by the same dealer who quoted me $4500 without looking at it or the dealer who never called me back. This is a known problem with my model transmission and the fact that I was driving down the highway and was almost rear ended because my car basically stopped is unacceptable. It's sad that honda will not take care of the problem. American honda has chosen profit over customer satisfaction and safety.

Filed Dec 1, 2013 · Transmission · 132,800 miles · MD

Dear I have a 2003 acura 3.2 tl navi. It has approximately 132,800 miles on it as of 30 november 2013 (car is in shop, so I can't verify exact mileage). On saturday, 30 nov 2013, I took it in to acura, because the engine check light is on. I also asked that the transmission be checked, because it didn't seem to be engaging correctly. This model as well as other acura model vehicles, etc, had a previous recall on the transmission (2004). I also previously had to have the car towed (26 aug 2004) to acura because the transmission failed while driving and the car broke down. The car has been well-maintained - body and mechanically, I had the 120k service performed on 22 october 2012, where mileage was 125,226. On 11 march 2011, I had the transmission fluid flush service performed. The service record states "flush entire unit of all old and suspended debris using a safe and effective cleaner to dissolve the varnish and gums in the transmission & torque converter. Install new transmission fluid to factory specification. Today (01 dec 2013), I was told that the entire transmission and some associated parts need to be replaced and will cost me between $4000 to $5000 (estimated now, but could go up). It's difficult for me to fathom that this transmission was verified to manufacturer specs in 2011 and now a complete failure at 132800. I believe this transmission failure is the result of the previous problems, as stated in the recall. The recall I'm citing is from the federal safety agency in april 2004. The federal safety agency campaign id number is: 04v176000; recall date: 13 april 2004; component: power train: automatic transmission; potential number of units affected: 1,099,796. As a result of the history of problems with this transmission, and the recall, I'm requesting assistance in having this transmission replaced by acura at no cost to me. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 25, 2013 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

Transmission locked up at 40 miles an hour. Transmission has been locking up and also slipping recently. Had engine light on - went to jiffy lube...gave me code tcc circuit malfunction p0740 abd p1740 dtc definition not found...spoke with manger[xxx] at niello honda and agreed need new transmission - cost is $3400. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 5, 2013 · Transmission · MS

I am now familiar with the 2004 work done on the transmission. In 2008, with 70k miles, acura had to replace the transmission under the warranty. Now, at 132k miles, the transmission had to be replaced again. Acura gave me a 10% discount.

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 80,533 miles · FL

My car begin to idle to 5 RPM and not change gears while driving. Pulled over and contacted local mechanic. I was instructed to bring car into honda dealership in lake city, fl. The result was need a transmission flush and had it done. After test driving, the car continued to perform poorly. At this point I consider the car should go to the acura dealership. My car was towed to gatorland acura of gainesville, fl. After diagnostics completed a transmission was needed. A vehicle odometer reading at 80533, should not require a new transmission was my first response. I gave them no answer at this time as to what to do because I am thinking this is absurd. After two days of seeking advice and research,I found a recall was submitted for transmission issue. Upon contacting the dealer, I was given the price for repairs. Regardless of informing and debating this should not be a cost for consumer. The service department staff and manager was not very helpful nor professional. This should have been completely covered by warranty/highway safety recall. I wrote a letter to honda headquarters and contacted the department by phone. Almost two weeks later, gatorland acura offered to replace the transmission and I would be responsible for the labor. I was not pleased with the outcome but needed transportation because there was none offered to me. To this day, I have not returned there to pay for maintenance because of the trustworthiness of gatorland acura or honda headquarters. The recall issue was posted around february 2008 and my car was in for the exact issue may 2008. Continuously unhappy consumer.

Filed Nov 6, 2012 · Transmission · 44,619 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the transmission began to slip gears without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three separate times where the transmission was replaced each time. On november 5, 2012, the failure recurred with both the vsa and engine warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive cautiously with the transmission responding at a reduced speed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 44,619.