You are here: Forums Sedans Acura TL Acura TL 1999-2003

Acura TL 1999-2003

83 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2009 at 10:12 AM

You are in the Acura TL Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#33 of 83 transmission lawsuit settlement by eddiemac Dec 24, 2008 (7:46 pm)
If you have your transmission replaced under the guidelines of the settlement, how long is the warranty period for the replacement transmission?
#34 of 83 2002 Acura TL-S by kingkhalas Jan 04, 2009 (9:44 pm)
I've got about 90K miles on my acura.   I've had to replace the transmission twice (covered under warranty) and have also had a similar problem with a 2000 Honda Odyssey. I think Honda/Acura made some poor transmissions for these cars.   Also recently had to replace the engine mounts ($$$) which I was told by a few acura places is a common problem.   Overall, it's been a pretty good car, but the boring styling is getting to me.
#35 of 83 2002 Acura TL-S (kingkhalas) by hpmctorque Jan 05, 2009 (4:21 am)
The new-for-2000 5-speed automatic was indeed problematic, but the good news is that Acura stepped up to the plate and replaced those that went bad under warranty. From what I know, the automatic transmission on the next generation TL ('04-'08) was reliable.   My wife's '99 has the older 4-speed automatic, which, at 115,000 miles, has been trouble free.   We also replaced the motor mounts, though, at about the same mileage as you indicated for your repair. Overall, my wife's '99 has been reliable and satisfying to own.   We're happy with the styling, which, in our opinion, is aging well. We were more concerned with its blandness when it was newer than we are now. Designs that are edgy when new frequently don't age well. In any event, I'm disappointed with the styling of the '09 TL.   What car(s) are you considering as a replacement for your '02 TL? Replies to this message: kingkhalas (Jan 06, 2009 4:06 pm)
#36 of 83 Re: 2002 Acura TL-S (kingkhalas) [hpmctorque] by kingkhalas Jan 06, 2009 (4:06 pm)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 05, 2009 4:21 am) If my TL-S broke tomorrow, I would consider a BMW 3 series, the 370Z, or a used porsche 911.   I guess after driving the acura I want something more sporty.   I agree with you about the new Acura's styling which I find to be quite ugly. If Honda or Acura made a modern, cool sports sedan/coupe I would be very interested.
#37 of 83 Re: 1999-2003 TLs [hpmctorque] by digs5446 Jan 16, 2009 (2:45 pm)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 01, 2008 6:04 am) My wife has an '02 TL-S w/ about 73K on it. Overall great car, although seems like certain parts suffer quicker wear and tear sooner than one would think. Had to get the front lower ball joints replaced at 57K and the engine motor mount shortly after. One of my fog lights is shattered and I have no idea how or when that happened. Service quoted me $275 to replace that so I said no thanks since I rarely used them anyway.   Our TL-S was included in the '00-'03 extended transmission warranty, and we did need it replaced. My wife must have misplaced or forgotten about the Oct 2002 letter Honda supposedly mailed out regarding the issue, and luckily our service dept diagnosed it Jan '08, a mere five months before the extension (7-years) expired! They put in a current model, "state of the art" tranny, which took a couple days and would have cost at least $3,000 according to the service rep. We knew there had been a problem because the car would have a delay in going from 1st to 2nd gear and would all of a sudden kick into gear...just felt like it was "slipping" too much. We brought it in and sure enough that was it. Car felt like new after they replaced it, much smoother and more responsive pickup.   Our last major recommended maint was at 60,000 (our dealer does the major ones at 30K intervals), and we needed the engine motor mount, cabin air filter, transmission fluid flush, and timing belt. Whole thing came to $2,000. I do feel like the car is better off after they find and fix all that stuff at the major services, but MAN it can hit your wallet hard.   Suffice it to say, it feels like it could last for another 100K at least. the OEM tires were shot at 39K. Can't recall what they were but definitely a high performance summer tire with awful winter traction that ran ~$230 a pop. Replaced them at NTB w/ Sigma Regent tourings, much cheaper all seasons that are better in snow but have a much less comfortable ride than the OEMs we replaced. My rims are pretty banged up from a couple curb jobs my wife had...it's causing slow leaks from a couple of my tires so I have to constantly take my compressor out to the driveway and fill er back up. Anyone know how much the OEM rims cost? Replies to this message: grasshopper3 (Mar 20, 2009 12:22 pm) shiva70 (Mar 20, 2009 1:19 pm) hpmctorque (Mar 21, 2009 5:14 am) and 1 more...
#38 of 83 #37 of 37 Re: 1999-2003 TLs (digs5446) by hpmctorque Jan 21, 2009 (3:48 am)
Sorry your car needed the repairs you listed, but none of those repairs, except for the ball joints, is unusual for the TL. We had to have the motor mounts on my wife's '99 TL changed at about 98,000 miles, so based on our experience, those on you wife's TL failed prematurely. From what I learned, motor mounts are a week spot on TLs of '99-'03 TLs.   "...our dealer does the major ones at 30K intervals..."   I think your dealer is recommending service intervals that are shorter than necessary, mainly for his benefit, not the customers'. Our Acura dealer does the same thing. I'd follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual, which is the one recommended by Acura, and I'd tell your dealer that this is what you want to do.   Don't believe what the dealer service people may say about a shorter maintenance schedule being better for your car. Of course, more frequent maintenance can't hurt your car, and may be slightly better, in certain cases, but it's not sufficiently better to justify the additional cost, let alone the time and trouble of taking your car to the dealer more often. Shorter maintenance schedules benefit the dealer primarily. Replies to this message: kcall2 (Jan 23, 2009 7:30 am)
#39 of 83 Re: #37 of 37 Re: 1999-2003 TLs (digs5446) [hpmctorque] by kcall2 Jan 23, 2009 (7:30 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 21, 2009 3:48 am) Most of the repairs/replacements ie cabin air filter, transmission fluid flush and replacement, are just routine maintenance items. Who would drive with a dirty cabin air filter? The lower ball joint replacement is also somewhat common, as is the motor mount replacement. I recently went over my service invoices, and found that the front motor mount had been replaced at the 60K major service, along with timing belt and all the rest. Believe the motor mount problem is that Acura uses silicone goo-filled mounts to isolate engine vibration, and if the rubber bladder develops a leak, the result is vibration and harshness from the engine. Have 82K miles on my '01 sedan, and so far no hint of transmission problems. Knock on wood, my extended warranty is now expired. Is that what they call self-insured?
#40 of 83 Re: 1999-2003 TLs (digs5446) [hpmctorque] (kcall2) by hpmctorque Jan 23, 2009 (8:33 am)
The owners manual calls for replacing the timing belt at 105,000, so the earlier replacement is more for the dealer's benefit than yours, if you should sell your car before that rather expensive scheduled maintenance is required. In the event you should reach 120,000 or 180,000 miles before you replace your car, you will have replaced your timing belt (and probably the water pump too) 2 or 3 times, respectively, instead of only once.   I believe in proper maintenance, and maintain our cars very regularly, but maintenance schedules that are overly short are a waste of money.
#41 of 83 sup by zin0 Jan 23, 2009 (11:26 pm)
Sup people, i just bought a 2003 acura tl 3.2 pearl white clean clean for $10500 couple days after christmas. rides good with 68.000 miles. But i have been reading forums and hearing about problems with the transmission on these cars. i'm calling acura tommorrow to find out if anythings been done to this car. the only thing it really does on me is when i have it in park or reverse and put it into drive it hesitates about 2 to 3 seconds before going into gear. but people tell me thats normal? and i dont think the tranny slips but i dont know much about cars. it seems to ride alright. should i worry about this car. because it sounds to me like i just bought myself a nightmare.. very depressing.
#42 of 83 sup (zin0) by hpmctorque Jan 24, 2009 (1:06 pm)
Relax, it seems to me you bought yourself a nice car, not a nightmare. Let us know what the Acura dealer says.   Let's assume the worst, and the transmission fails. Acura has extended the warranty on the transmissions on the 2000 - 2003 model years to 100,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Therefore, the bottom line is that your car is still covered and will be for a while longer. Unless you put on a lot of miles, the 7 years will expire before the mileage.   So, enjoy your nice Tl and stop worrying.   By the way, zin0, what does "sup" mean?

Messages Page 5 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Acura TL Acura TL 1999-2003