transmission slipping in 03 acura tl

What do you drive?
I had the 2003 TL Type S, tranny went out twice and I sold it. I then passed on the 2004-2008 TL because I thought it just blended in too much with the accords and camrys, not a bad thing but I still passed.
Its two years now since I pulled the plug and the 2009 TL SH-AWD and the car is bullet proof, no rattles, squeekes or tranny issue and all I get is compliments. Car shows rip a lot of manufacturers including BMW and Mercedes so i dont see your point here.

Replies to this message:

2233 (Aug 31, 2011 9:01 pm)
- billyperksii (Sep 01, 2011 5:55 am)

#11 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [billyperksii] by 2233

Aug 31, 2011 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: billyperksii (Aug 31, 2011 10:12 am)

Speed Channel's show is called the Car Show. They have a segment at the beginning of the show which address individual car issues. On an episode about 3-4 weeks ago the subject was "Acura." Maybe you can view it on a VOD service.

These car guys all were critical of Acura's dismal sales, their ugly designs, and their quality. They were unanimous with their criticism across the board. It is unlikely that 4 car guys would be this critical of the brands of BMW and Mercedes.

I hope your TL remains bullet proof. You have more faith in this brand than I have which is suprising since you had 2 transmiisions go out on an '03 TL.
My 00 TL was "bulletproof" for a few years and then the tranny began slipping every day. Acura said it only affected the '00 TL. Then the 2001, '02, the '03s and on and on for the TL.

Same thing with the MDX. Acura minimized the problem and more and more years were similarly effected.

Acura has not solved these problems and couple that with the worst customers service I've ever experienced, this brand is in trouble.

These forums are loaded with disgruntled customers of Acura 's transmissions and the interest in filing or joining class action lawsuits grows every day. Check the MDX boards if you don't believe me. Facebook too.

I would unload your current TL in a heartbeat while it is still bulletproof.

To answer your question, we have 2 G35X sedans, an '04 and a '07. I will either give the '04 to my son or trade it in. The '04 had prematurely wearing brakes and Infinti replaced rotors twice and pads twice at their expense. There were no hassles from them re the brakes. The first replacement was pursuant to a recall and the second replacement was done as good will. I have 86,000 miles on the '04 and have not spent anything on the car except oil and routine maintenace. The 07 has also been problem free. Their customer service was excellent.

I want a small AWD crossover and will problably buy a 2011 Infiniti EX 35. Also looking at the Mercedes GLK, the X3 or the Q5.

I do hope you have good luck with your TL. I've owned Preludes, CLs, several Accords and a TL. The Acura line has clearly declined in every respect.

Replies to this message:

billyperksii (Sep 01, 2011 5:55 am)

#12 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [2233] by billyperksii

Sep 01, 2011 (5:55 am)

Replying to: 2233 (Aug 31, 2011 9:01 pm)

As I said in my previous post, that show does not bias, it rips every manufacturer on the planet- that's their job-OPINIONS. We will have to agree to disagree, I still beleive in Honda products, the current generation TL as far as I am concern is bullet proof. Go check out the Infiniti boards in regards to the current G37- seems as if Infiniti does not know how to make a workable 7 speed transmission. I test drove the G35 before I bought the Acura and it just felt cramped (reminds me of my 99 Millennia) and unrefined.
Knock on wood this TL puts a smile on my face every I fire it up.
Next stop for me is the E63-hopefully.

#13 of 17 2003 Acura TL type S - transmission problem by acura_crazy

Dec 07, 2011 (3:17 pm)

The tranny started to slip at 89,000 miles even though it had the oil kit installed at 40,000 miles. I found numerous complaints on the Internet about Acura TLs (and other models) with tranny problems. Acura issued a recall for Acura TLs to put a band-aid or replace the tranny.

I called the dealer and they said tough luck. Referred me to Acura. Talked to them, they said I am out of luck too. Too bad the extended warranty (100,000 miles) didn't apply since I passed the 7yr 9 mth limit. Asked for some good-will. They said "out of our parameters ... can't help you." And I was just thinking of getting a new Acura before the problem happened.

This episode, plus the numerous similar unhappy Acura owners' sharing on the Internet of Acura's lack of goodwill towards this transmission problem experienced by so many, has convinced me not to own any more Acura's or Honda's. Even if their newer transmissions are better, their attitude in not helping with repair costs for a poorly designed transmission, and the unhelpful response at the dealership, leaves me unconvinced that they will be reasonably helpful to customers, withoutstanding customer loyalty.

#14 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [owenpga] by dwdraw2

Jan 07, 2012 (8:09 am)

Replying to: owenpga (Jun 09, 2011 2:28 pm)

More than likely that your transmission is going bad. I currently own a Acura 1999 3.2 TL, which I bought new, and only have 99470 miles on it. I drive my car easy, no fast starts, however; my transmission went out about three weeks from this writing. I had it rebuilt by a transmission specialist. I went on line to check out any problems with the Acura transmissions. I discovered that Acura 3.2 TL has had troubled transmissions from 1999 to 2004. Other than the transmission, my car runs like a top-nothing else to complain.

Replies to this message:

#15 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [dwdraw2] by hpmctorque

Feb 03, 2012 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: dwdraw2 (Jan 07, 2012 8:09 am)

Actually, the transmissions problems began with the introduction of a new 5-speed automatic in the 2000 model year. The '99 had the older, proven 4-speed, which was generally reliable. Yours happened to fail prematurely, which is unfortunate, but one example doesn't prove the rule.

#16 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [dwdraw2] by elfkin

Jun 06, 2012 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: dwdraw2 (Jan 07, 2012 8:09 am)

My transmission just went bad on my 1999 Acura TL as well (175K miles on it), may I ask how much did you have to pay to have the transmission rebuilt?

#17 of 17 Re: transmittion slipping in 03 acura tl [dwdraw2] by elfkin

Jun 06, 2012 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: dwdraw2 (Jan 07, 2012 8:09 am)

May I ask how much it cost to rebuild? My transmission just went bad on my 1999 Acura TL as well (175K miles on it)

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