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Acura CL Transmission Problems

140 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2013 at 9:14 AM

You are in the Acura CL Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura CL, Coupe

Messages Page 12 of 14

#110 of 140 Report Acura 2.3 CL Trans problem to Acura by scraw33

Feb 21, 2011 (1:04 pm)

There are several models in 1997 to 2001 and possibly others that are having unusual transmission problems with low mileage and regular upkeep. My Acura is a 1999 CL 2.3 136k, I'm the original owner and have had regular maintenance done. The car was babied for it's entire life, looks new inside and out, yet has a transmission that surges at start and stop. While researching the issue it appears Honda dropped the ball on the owners that purchased these vehicles knowing they had problems with these transmissions. The advice I've been given is call Honda Corp at 1-800-382-2384 and report the problem. Make sure you have your VIN # available. The other is to take it to Acura Dealer and have the service tech right up consumer complaint regarding the issue. Possibly they will respond with some sort of solution so that our cars can live longer without paying more for a transmission than the value based on the poor reliability report on resale value.

#111 of 140 My tansmission (speedometer) is acting up. Do I have to go to a dealer?? by shaynej

Mar 21, 2011 (11:55 am)

Replying to: margiedavis (Jan 24, 2011 8:21 pm)
I have a Acura CL, I think it is a 1998 or 1999.
 
Last week, the speedometer cable started bouncing and sticking on Zero. At the same time, the transmission (I assume) started acting up. It sounded like it was having a hard time changing gears, etc. After driving a while, the problem went away, but ocassionally it would come back and even sometimes when the car was driving fine, the speedometer would "bounce" or stay at zero or read a MPH that was way higher than I knew I was driving.
 
So, I took the vehicle to a mechanic that services all of my cars. I bought this car used from him about 2 years ago. It had almost 300,000 miles on it, but a new engine had been put in at about 250,000 miles. I have had no problems out of it since. I change the oil about every 3 - 4 thousand miles, but the transmission has never been serviced, because it is one of those "sealed" transmissions that has to go to the dealer.
 
Considering the minimal investment I have in this vehicle and the fact that (my mechanic just reminded me) it has to go to the dealer to be serviced, what should I do? Is it possible a "service" will fix this problem? What kind of bill am I looking at to have it serviced (by a dealer)? Is there ANY way I can service it myself (with the help of a mechanic that knows what he is doing)?
 
I am looking for some recommendations. I can't afford to replace it right now. I am trying to decide the "cheapest" solution to get it fixed. (Should I just skip the service and start looking at getting a new or used transmission?)
 
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can give me on this matter!
 
Shayne

#113 of 140 Safty Issue by badera

Jun 10, 2011 (8:41 am)

I have a Acura CL with 151,000 miles and the transmission locked up on the car while at speed on a interstate. The car came to an abrupt and violent stop, with out any forward or reverse. Screaming tires on a busy road could have killed my daughter, but by the grace of God, the other vehicles avoided hitting her.
 
This has to be an engineering problem from Honda, I have found out several other Acura CL in the area of different vintages, however with the same millage, or their about, came to the same violent halt while on the road. Some with accidents and injuries.
 
Please be careful in choosing you next vehicle, Honda and Acura are not "safe at any speed" purchase something else.

#114 of 140 Re: 1998 Acura CL Premium with 32,000 miles Transmission Failure [kathybk] by mp_sweeney

Jul 01, 2011 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: kathybk (Feb 10, 2008 3:39 pm)
Kathy, You are not alone by any means. My 1998 3.0 CL is on its second engine and THIRD transmission. I'm writing this because I finally found this forum and saw the other posts. My first transmission went at 82,000 miles, after whining and hard downshifting out of overdrive. The second one came with a three-year warranty and failed two weeks after it was installed. Now I have 100,000 miles (on the third one) and it's acting up just like the others. The first engine failed at 68,000 miles, after a check engine light and failed emissions inspection. There was a tapping noise on the cam, and after a tear-down, one of the tappets was ground down about 1/8 inch, due to oil starvation. I never missed a 3000 mile oil change or any scheduled maintenance, and even showed Acura an oil analysis over time that came up clean. Now the second engine is showing the same symptoms, although it's lasted longer due to religious SYNTHETIC oil changes. Acura basically blamed me for everything and wouldn't give me a dime. Now I know I'm not alone. THIS MODEL YEAR IS A TOTAL LEMON. The way I've been treated, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT. EVER.

#115 of 140 Re: My tansmission (speedometer) is acting up. Do I have to go to a dealer?? [shaynej] by bulldozer1

Jul 12, 2011 (4:41 am)

Replying to: shaynej (Mar 21, 2011 11:55 am)
Had the same problem. Needed a new speed sensor. My mechanic couldn't find the part, couldn't get his dashboard rebuilder to get the part, ended up getting a scrapyard dashboard gauge module and that fixed it. The repair took $1000 to complete, and my car "lost" 70,000 miles, but it works now.

#116 of 140 Re: Acura CL 3.0 - TRANSMISSION DISASTER! [mr1999cl30] by flylowflyslow

Aug 18, 2011 (6:42 pm)

Replying to: mr1999cl30 (Dec 18, 2010 10:32 am)
Hello Forum..
I have a new experience to relate for those of you who have used Dextron in either a Dodge or an Acura transmission...even with an additive, dextron is bad news. It will heat up and leave varnish in the valve bodies and Solenoids (acura) . I tried something I never thought I would try. Being careful not to overfill..I put 1/2 pint of Sea Foam trans tune in the transmission. 30,000 miles ago, I allowed a shop to put dextron in (w/ additive) and in three months it shifted like crap. I went back to Acura fluid (ZR1?) and later the new synthetic Acura fluid..Changed three times in 30,000 miles..better but still alternated between whiplash and overspeeding shutter...I learned to baby the shift by backing off the gas pedal and I think I prevented some of the wear and tear. Now I wish I had done the sea foam back when all this started. Since using this cleaner it has been a night and day difference and I continue to us a 1/2 pint with the Acura fluid long term. So far it is awesome.

#117 of 140 Dont purchase by sickofthis

Sep 21, 2011 (6:35 am)

You should NOT, I repeat NOT purchase the Acura 2.3 cl. My car is crap! I wish I seen this forum prior to purchasing this car. I was driving on the highway yesterday morning while in traffic I went to press the gas pedal to go and the car was stuck would not move at all, about 10 seconds later it jumped violently and drove off. This happened all the way to work which is about 20mins highway drive no traffic and 50 mins traffic. I would beg anyone to not even think twice before purchasing this vehicle, I was almost rear ended five times because the car wouldn't drive although my foot was on the gas pedal and I was pressing down heavily. This car is a NO GO I wont even waste my time or energy fixing it, Im taking the money and making a down payment on a new car!!!!!!

#118 of 140 Transmission gone at 47000 miles by smd4

Nov 13, 2011 (1:32 pm)

I own a 2003 Acura CLS 3.2 with 47,000 miles on it. It was purchased new & has been mantained by the dealership. I had the car in for service 2 days ago & complained about the car not shifting properly. They assured me nothing was wrong with the transmission. Today the transmission went completely & I had to have the car towed. Turns out they did not even do a diagnosis on it. Now they are saying they will see if they can help out at all. Ridiculous for a transmission to go at 47,000 miles.

#119 of 140 Re: Transmission gone at 47000 miles [smd4] by roadtripgirl

Nov 13, 2011 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: smd4 (Nov 13, 2011 1:32 pm)
Haven't you read this thread on Acura CL transmissions? You're upset that a transmission went at only 47K miles - and you should be. However, I bought my 1999 CL 3.0 new and had the transmission replaced 4, yes 4, times
by the time it reached 67K miles. You got off easy! I hope you bought the dealer's extended warranty, or else you're in for a repair to the tune of $3K. Good luck!

Messages Page 12 of 14

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