Acura TL engine failure problems

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Engine · 98,000 miles · IL

Driving on interstate for 8 min at 70 MPH on a 70 degree morning when I lost power to the engine. Luckily, I was able to pull over to the shoulder. My certified mechanic diagnosed the engine lost all compression. The car has 98,000 mi. I called acura client services and they stated it had to be diagnosed by acura dealer. The dealer stated it was a blown engine and they have no idea how it happened. I called acura again and they stated there was nothing they could do. I stated something unusual has happened and it should be researched to understand why. Engines shouldn't just fail. Acura stated the vehicle is out of warranty and the customer would have to pay for the diagnosis before they would review the claim. I paid the dealer to test. The dealer filled the system with fluids and set the vehicle outside. He checked for leaks every few hours. I told him it was a slow leak and he had to monitor it closely. The dealer stated he couldn't find any issue. I called acura and told them the test was not conducted properly. Acura stated the dealer can't find the issue and no more investigation can be done. I asked acura why they are not having their field team review this incident. Acura states it's a customer issue not an acura issue. Without conducting the proper testing & diagnosis that conclusion cannot be made. Acura refuses to authorize the dealer to investigate the defect properly. Acura refuses to have their field technicians, warranty group, and supplier review the defect, asks the customer to pay to diagnose the problem. Acura's policy to not review major field issues with their vehicles outside of warranty is a dangerous position especially when it is a major safety issue with a blown engine. Acura's corporate strategy to suppress an investigation until a major incident happens creates a potential risky product liability with all their customers.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Steering · 194,604 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 acura tl. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact did not call the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The contact was advised to call the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 194,604.

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 263,138 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving 35 MPH around a curve, the vehicle failed to brake or accelerate and the transmission seized. The steering wheel also became very difficult to turn. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and left the road. The contact crashed into an embankment and a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the hands, wrists, head, ankle, chest, and shoulder. Medical attention was required and the contact visited his physician after the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 263,138.

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Steering · 111,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 acura tl. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Engine · 129,000 miles · NY

In the acura 3.2 motors, the cylinders have oil release holes that are not smooth which is causing metal shavings to get stuck, shave and damage the cam shafts and cause motor failure. They are causing serious grooves on the outer 2 cam bearings that have the larger release holes. My motor failed due to this. I was driving, car stopped running, I thought my timing slipped. I pulled the motor apart and my cam was seized up after looking into it further. I order a new motor same year, make, model, thinking it was just my motor. I pulled the new motor apart and I found the same issue! The cam was getting scored due to the oil release hole not being smooth. I also realized that on the side that was not getting damaged it had an oil sylph, and which the side that was getting damaged did not.

Filed Nov 26, 2015 · Engine · 39,500 miles · WA

Excessive oil consumption has now LED to 2 engine replacements (this is the cars 3rd engine, original plus 2 replacements). I have had 3 oil consumption test (oct), all showing that there was significant consumption. The local acura dealership (auto nation acura of spokane (ana)), is unable of being trusted and incapable of any significant repair so I have been traveling to another acura dealership over 700 miles away for honest and quality work (ana botched the 2nd oct as they knowingly added oil right before my 2nd trip to the other dealer). Thankfully for me I check my oil every fill up as required by the oct and mark it's level. Unfortunately for me, this negated the second test (even though it should a significant loss, ana of spokane denied topping it off). I then had to do the 3rd oct, and in 3 days put the required minimum 1,000 miles required and returned to dealer 2. Again there findings showed excessive consumption and put in the 3rd engine. Because the replacement time was longer than I could stay, I flew home. There are many forums out there with thousands of people having the same oil consumption issue. It is a manufactors defect with the j37 model engine (also used in many other acura & honda vehicles.

Filed Jul 22, 2015 · Steering · 170,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 acura tl. While making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v091000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed May 30, 2015 · Engine · 15,500 miles · WA

2012 acura tl sh-awd tech. Began to notice that I was having to have my oil changed every 2,500 - 3,000 miles. Took it to different dealers to see what the problem was. Neither dealer could find a problem. In march 2014, several warning lights came on and the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 MPH. I had it towed to an acura dealership and was told I had no oil. No warning lights or error messages ever alerted me. Beginning of april 2015 (mileage was 33k), I started hearing a knocking noise from the engine between idle and 2,500 RPM's. Again took it to the dealer. They said I had only a quart of oil. They put me on an oil consumption test. Just over a month later and 1,900 miles, my car was again oil less. No leaks ever discovered. I was told I was burning oil. 1 quart to every 500 miles. Took it to the dealership and acura replaced the engine with a new one. While I was at the dealership I was told by the service advisor that another '12 tl was also getting its engine replaced for the same issue.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving at unknown speeds, the transmission seized while shifting between first and second gear. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to pay for part of the repairs. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Steering · 46,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 acura tl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the steering wheel lock warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the electronic power steering computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.