2005 Acura TL transmission problems

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · MS · crash

While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before & all of a sudden it did all of the above, erratic shifting, flare up shifts, won't move. It was then put on a diagnostic scanner which showed a code for Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid but was cleared & didn't reappear. After the car has been sitting for a while (days) you can crank it, put it into drive & it is hesitant to go & will drive ONLY for a few minutes. After the transmission heats up, it stops pulling. I have read numerous complaints, safety concerns, bulletins, etc. I am devastated & lost on what's going on with the car & what can be done. I purchased my '05 TL in 2022 & haven't been able to drive it but for one & a half years. I've put so much money into the repairs & maintenance. I replaced the rear & front motor mounts, transmission speed sensor, transmission position sensor, etc. I am now disabled & don't have the means to put into it anymore. I pray there's an investigation behind these Drive train safety concerns!

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Transmission · WA

Transmission locked up while attempting to backup. Very loud grinding noise. Could not place back in park. Had to shut off engine to free shifter to move back to park. Tried again but this time placed in drive. Exact same results. Checked internet and apparently transmission on this year and others before and after are know problems. Googleand you will see this. POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT - What would have been the end result having the transmission fail while on the freeway going 60 mph. Possibly could loose control of the vehicle with wheels locking up, cashing into another vehicle or a wall? This should be investigated! THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REMOVE COMPLAINT, BUT STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THE FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · CA

I was driving my car out of nowhere it lost power this the third time it happens. Its really scary because the last time I had my baby with me and that happened. I had to park and turn off the car also when I reverse it takes long to change gear.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Transmission · 162,000 miles · AZ

I was backing out of a spot, as I usually do, the car took longer than usual to shift from park into drive (about 3-4 sec). Drove normally for about a half-mile, stopped at a red light, went to accelerate, and then the transmission wouldn't come out of 1st gear and revved super high. Pulled over, then drove to my mechanic about a half-mile back at about 8-10 MPH with my caution lights on. He took it for a test drive and said it seemed fine (I.e. The transmission didn't slip), but what I explained to him sounded like the onset of transmission failure). He suggested something could have gotten lodged in there and blocked fluid flow, and when I turned my car off and he started it, that it could have fallen out before his test drive. Ever since "the incident" the transmission is very slow up-shifting from 1st to 2nd and makes a noise when doing so, and also is very slow shifting from park to drive, or reverse to drive. My car has about 162,000 miles on it. As of now, nothing has been repaired on it, and was advised not to change the transmission fluid as this often causes transmission failure in these vehicles around this mileage.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 243,260 miles · NC

Takata recall car making noise while driving and reversing. Windshield wipers sprayer stop working. Radio won't turn on

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 167,000 miles · MS

Takata recall - my drive is flashing which is to do with my transmission and I'm having wiring problems also. Also I have no bright headlights they just completely stopped working and it's a wiring problem.

Filed Apr 18, 2017 · Transmission · 188,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura tl. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated, slipped out of gear, and operated abnormally. Upon inspection, the contact stated that the transmission filter fractured and detached and the debris clogged the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that it was up to the consumer to change that specific part out, even though it was not listed as a recommended part to replace in the manual. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura tl. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and shifted out of gear without warning. The vehicle was not repaired, but it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura tl. The contact stated that the transmission inadvertently shifted and caused the vehicle to become inoperable without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 140,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura tl. While attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the rpms increased, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the filter system in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.