Acura TL won't shift problems

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lost automotive power and shifted into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and drove as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message “System too Lean” was displayed on the instrument panel associated with Bank 1 and Bank 2. While starting the vehicle and while the vehicle idling, the RPM was raised above 1,000 RPM, and the message "Idle Position Needs to be Relearned " was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated properly. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle pedal position sensor had an incorrect voltage. The contact was unsure of the repairs performed and the DTC were cleared. After the codes were cleared, the failures continued intermittently. The contact became aware of TSBs that permitted a repair under warranty to clear the system; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Dec 8, 2020 · Airbags, Transmission · CA

Airbag sign is on . And transmission is seems like it gets stuck in gear

Filed Nov 25, 2019 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. The contact stated that the gear did not shift properly and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to acura of laurel (301‑498‑3322, located at 3506 laurel fort meade rd, laurel, md 20724) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

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 May 18, 2019 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · MA

I was sitting at a red light, and when the light turned green and I accelerated, the car would not move with moderate throttle. I had to floor the throttle to move, and the engine RPM jumped to about 6000. The car would not shift, either automatically or through the "manual" function on the gear selector. Over the next 1.5 miles, I noticed smoke in the rear view mirror and a burning smell. I pulled the car over and noticed smoke from the hood and a trail of automatic transmission fluid from the car. Car was towed to a transmission shop and I was told that the transmission cooler line running to the radiator had ruptured due to corrosion. Transmission cooler lines and radiator had to be replaced.

Filed Aug 9, 2018 · Body, Steering · 117,345 miles · MD

I am the original owner of this vehicle, and have routine maintenance performed on it at regular intervals. On july 23, 2018, approximately 4:15pm, I was exiting via reverse from a parking space at a local shopping center. I shifted the car into drive, proceeded forward at a speed of 3mph, for less than ten feet to make a slight left turn, when there was the sound of breaking metal, and the car came to a halt. The car was in drive, foot on gas, but would not move. I struggled to shift the gear into park, then restarted. The car would not go into drive, with great difficulty I got it into reverse, then rolled backwards into a handicapped parking space. The gear was now stuck in reverse, and key was locked in ignition. I immediately applied the emergency brake, turned on hazard lights, and exited the vehicle. I placed phone calls to a towing company, and my mechanic. Upon inspection, it was determined "the driver's front axle assembly snapped in two. The axle shaft had rusted underneath the vibration damper. The passenger front axle assembly looked rusted". At my direction, the mechanic replaced both front axle assemblies. Both myself and the mechanic searched for a recall, or even an update to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance/service, but found nothing. Car axles should not randomly snap in half. I have had absolutely zero issues with my vehicle leading up to the event. Thankfully, no one was harmed when this occurred. Had I been traveling in a drive lane, whether it was in the shopping center or interstate, no doubt there was going to be a catastrophic situation, resulting in bodily harm and vehicle damage to myself and others. A copy of the repair bill is attached in the record for your reference. On august 7, 2018, I reported this to acura, reference case # 08888084.

Filed Aug 8, 2017 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NY

Automatic transmission does not shift smoothly, dealer completed a software update which only temporarily made the situation better. Dealer claims there is nothing further that can be done. Shift from 1st to 2nd gear is rough at times and transmission downshifts making it feel like a drag on the engine. Transmission is abrupt at times.

Filed Aug 2, 2016 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 acura tl. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart, but the failure reccured. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 3, 2016 · Transmission · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. When the contact placed the gear selector from reverse to the drive position, the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle hesitated and then finally went into gear. The vehicle was sluggish and rough as if it were shifting into the neutral gear. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.