Problems with 2003 Acura TL POWER TRAIN

Transmission failed at 30,000 miles in my 2003 acura tl-s, leaving me going 30mph trying to merge onto a freeway.*ak

Failed transmission in both a 2002 and 2003 acura tls vehicle. *ak

Automatic transmission was leaking fluid. dealer replaced it with a rebuilt transmission , consumer asked why transmission was replaced with a rebuilt and not brand new transmission. *ak

While driving, the transmission slipped gears. the consumer managed to drive home and had the vehicle towed to the dealership. please provide more information. *jb

2003 acura 3.2 tl previously reported sudden downshift from 5th gear to 2nd gear at highway speeds. vehicle inspected by gettel acura in sarasota, fl. told "cannot reproduce problem so honda/acura will not authorize any repairs". vehicle is still at dealer, they are attempting to reproduce problem. have been told by acura customer care that my vehicle is "outside the vin number series covered by previous nhtsa investigations" and my vehicle is not a candidate for repair, despite the 7 year, 100k mile extended warranty. was told "we believe you, but if we cannot reproduce the problem, there is nothing we can do...why should we dump thousands of dollars in parts into your car if we can't find anything wrong?" i explained their liabiliy and the potential safety hazard, as, the vehicle had suddenly downshifted from 5th gear to 2nd, twice in last 5 days. acura/honda appears to be stonewalling, and i will have to seek legal counsel in order to compel them to comply with the terms of the extended transmission warranty...before the transmission failure causes an accident or injury to myself or my family. acura insists the transmission problems were "fixed" before the car was built, so there is no way i could be having the same problems, and i was chastized for quoting information from nhtsa investigation results...they told me "you aren't a mechanic, and trying to get a new transmission because you read something on the web doen't mean your car has a problem". this was courtesy of "robin" at acura customer care department on 2/24/04. . the dealership called today, stated it was raining, so they couldn't take my car out to run diagnostics..and they'll try again "tomorrow". if they find nothing wrong, they plan on returning the vehicle to me, unrepaired. . i am most certainly scared to get back behind the wheel of this vehicle, due to the two sudden downshifts that nearly caused loss of control of the vehicle. . acura is not complying with it's agreement with nhtsa.*ak

Sudden downshift of automatic transmission while driving in d-5 (5th gear) at approximately 60mph while merging onto highway. momentary loss of control, regained when 5th gear re-engaged. motor suddenly revved to near red-line causing torque steer feel and deceleration. reviously notified dealer of transmission-related issues, was told "no problem found" at gettel acura in sarasota, fl. plan on taking vehicle back to shop again.*ak

I own a 2003 acura tl type s. at 18,434 miles, the transmission failed. it was replaced, but this transmission is exhibiting the same symptoms the original transmission did before it failed. the symptoms are hesitation and jerking at highway speeds. some acura tl owners were given an extended drivetrain warranty. i was told mine was not part of that offering even after my transmission failed, so i am not covered by the warranty. based on the fact that the replacement transmission is having the same problems, in addition to all of the acura tl owners who have had two and three replacement transmissions, i feel there should be a recall for these transmissions. *ak

While having an oil change performed, the dealership noticed an oil leak. the oil was leaking through the transmission casing. the dealership indicated that the casing was faulty and replaced it with a previous manufactured part. this was a common problem in these vehicles. *ak 20% of the cast transmission casing was defective. the consumer felt that he did not need a new transmission with less than 3k miles. the consumers extended warranty was excluded. *sc *jb

while driving approximately 55 mph in fifth gear, the transmission automatically shifted into second gear without assistance. there were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was related to the transmission,current mileage-54000. *tr

Transmission problems with 2003 acura tl type s. *ph the transmission shifted roughly in addition to a missing cruise control. there was also a time where the vehicle had no reverse gear. *sc

2003 acura tl type s experiencing transmission problems. *mr the transmission shifted roughly in addition to missing when the cruise control was engaged. when the consumer pressed the cruise control to increase the speed the engine surged on two occasions back to back as the consumer tried to disengage the cruise control. (faulty tl transmissions were a widely known problem for acura) *sc

I bought an acura 3.2tl type s in july 2003. the vehicle is 3 months old with 4,000 miles on it and it is having the transmission replaced. i was not aware of this problem when i purchased the car, nor was i told about it when i inquired about recalls, since this is not an official "recall." *la

Transmission failure on acura 3.2tls. *ak

My 2003 tl-s has been manufactured in december of 2002, seven months after the date that acura supposedly addressed the transmission failure issue. i was shocked when my transmission failed after 9 months and less than 9,000 miles. at this point i do not trust that acura has really addressed the transmission issue.

Acura 2003 tl transmission defect. first failure transmission locked up at speed of 70 mph happened 6 times . transmission replaced.second failure transmission locked up going 55 car following behind me crashed into me . signifigant injurie's resulted from this crash that involved 3 vehicles.*ak i have reported this info to "this" site 3 times and go back to find my submission and it mysteriously dissapears! honda acura's recent safety recall for this transmission defect keeps claiming there are no crashes or injurys' as a result of this defect . this is false !!!! i know of atleast 3 other incidences that involve injury's due to the severe defect that causes the transmission to lock up with out warning!

two transmissions in my 6 month old in my acura 3.2 tl . the first failure consisted of my tranny locking up while traveling at 65mph or more and almost throwing me through the windshield. the tranny was replaced with a new one. the snd occurence consisted of my tranny locking up in lunch hour traffic ,traveling around 55 car behind me was not prepared for the lock up slammed into me, police report and injurie's sustained that are still ongoing. this is a deffinate safety issue alway's has been ,if a car stalls on the highway ,there is no question that it is a safety issue ,this is worse then an engine stalling,there are no brake light's ,it all happnes too fast ! who decides what is a safety issue? i'll tell you the people who dirve these and have had accident's or near death expieriences. *ak

my transmission literally locked up over 6 times while driving at speeds over 65mph causing my car to try and come to a complete stop while driving this fast ..i had no warning prior ,that anything was wrong with the transmission . it literally was about to throw me through the windsheild ,it left bald ares on my tires from this and the service guy who drove it stated it almost threw him through the windsheild and he was only driving 30mph ...this has injured my neck and arm ,left arm and i am now scared to death of driving this car as this was such a scary expierience ,never knowing when it was going to happen .. i am involved in a forum online for other acura owners who have had their transmission replaced up to 4 times.. i want out of this death trap!

Have taken my 2003 acura tls into the dealers approximately four times for the same problem. dealer states they cannot do anything because they cannot duplicate the problem.*ak while driving the gas pedal self-depresses and locks, but the car feels as though it has shifted itself into neutral--leaving me no alternative but to cruise to the side of the road until the gas pedal 'pops' itself up and i regain control of the car.

Transmission downshifts without warning when traveling at various speeds, and causes occupants to be jerked backwards. problem occurs randomly, and acura refuses to fix without dealer duplication - despite issuing a warranty extension for the transmission.*ak

Took delivery of new 2003 acura 3.2tl-type s on may 10, 2002. was unaware that honda/acura had an on-going transmission problem since model year 1999. transmission started acting up over the past several thousand miles. on may 15, 2003, dealer confirmed transmission problem and has ordered new transmission. honda has a major problem since this has occurred in model years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003. while they have extended the warranty to 7 years / 100k miles, this is totally unacceptable. *jb

Transmission problems with sudden harsh jerk. transmission is on its second replacement also front brake caliper bolt sheared off at 75 miles per hour resulting tin the front tire locking up. ventilation problems with mold in the recirculation system.*ak

Within 1 week of taking delivery of the vehicle, the transmission started showing signs of a problem. *nm recall campaign : 04v176000. while driving in fifth gear the transmission would hesitate and feel like it was hunting between gears causing the vehicle to shutter. the second incident was the same as the first and included the engine revving as the transmission slipped into neutral even though the vehicle was in d5 in automatic mode. the vehicle coasted to the shoulder and stopped. regardless of what gear the transmission was in no power went to the front wheels. the consumer smelled a burning smell coming from the vehicle. after the transmission was replaced the problem still existed. the transmission was replaced again and the problem still existed. *tc *jb

Transmission shudder and balking on new 2003 acura tlc type-s

When i put the car in gear and turn off the switch, the car keeps rolling and does not provide any hindrance due to engaged gear from rolling it. i think this is a problem, as my other cars don't do this. on my mazda cx-9, if i put it in gear and trun off the switch, the gear stays engaged and prevents the car from rolling. i think my acura has a manufacturing defect in the transmission since it lets the car roll even when it is in the gear and engine is off. i have asked my dealer in fremont to take a look at it, and he says there are no recalls. but my mechanic said that there are recalls for this defect. i will appreciate if you can please help me with this. this problem is constant, and it has not been resolved. i am afraid this can cause accidents.

I noticed that nhtsa has opened an investigation into tranny failure. i bought an 03 acura 3.2tl-s back in march. i really didnt know than when the tranny would "catch up" that it would be a defect. the sad part is that i want to get rid of the car but i cant sell it because of financial loss. therefore, im forced to stay with this car that may some day kill me. i have heard of other stories; numerious other stories. i have a feeling that the tranny may go soon but its no way to get it looked at beacuse the "failure" didnt happen yet. im scared and dont know what to do. please help

I leased an 03 acura tl-type s in 4/02. this vehicle is unsafe and the manufacturer is either unable or unwilling to correct the problem. he transmission began slipping, shuddering and bucking at 15k miles. the rpms would also rev without pressing the gas pedal . i brought the car in on 12/2/02, and the dealer reported that there were "no codes" and that the "problem could not be duplicated." at nearly 22k miles, the problem evolved into a high-pitched whining noise. on 4/16/03, dealer said the transmission needed to be replaced. at first the new transmission seemed to perform better, but differently and somewhat more slowly. at about 26,000 miles the shuddering and bucking at various speeds returned. i took it back to dealer on 7/21/03, and again they said "no codes" and the "problem could not be duplicated," precisely as had been indicated before the first transmission was replaced. they did flush the transmission fluid. on 10/22/03 during a roadtest with dealer's service department, the transmission did in fact exhibit the behavior i have been documenting. after the computer revealed no codes, the vehicles egr ports were cleaned and dealer believed that would fix the problem. however, the problem continued. i have taken the car back on a half dozen occasions and each time am told they can't duplicate the problem. acura corporate management admits there is a problem with the transmissions and replacement transmissions have also failed. they are not sure why. they insist if there are "no codes" or if dealer cannot readily duplicate there is not a problem. i am unwilling to wait for a complete failure which can result in the transmission locking up at highway speeds and lead to an accident. i began at the end of november documenting the dates, times and speeds at which the transmission malfunctions and can provide this data. it is inconsistent and it is very difficult to duplicate, but that does not mean it is not a problem. *ak

The engine light went on suddenly at 11,000 miles making a clunking noise. was in repair 15 days. rebuilt automatic transmission & torque converter was replaced as well as broken engine mount. at 19,713 engine light went on again failure vsa & ecm units replaced. at 25,596 miles engine light goes on,transmission does not go into reverse due to internal failure, replaced pcm & transmission (rebuilt)lock-up control solinoid assembly, replaced lost transmission fluid.left dealer's service dept & upon reaching home, engine light came on, had to return back to service dept. on the way, the vehicle suddenly & without notice locked 6 times at 50 mph, decelerated down to 30 mph making booming noises, car behind almost crashed into my vehicle, had to pull over, slowly driving to dealer scared to death as the vehicle was so erratic & making booming noises. my son was driving, called me on his cell phone as to his experience, finally made it to the service dept. honda/acura voluntarily extended warranty in 2002 on the transmissions due to defects as well as in 2003 offered enhanced pcm powertrain service due to defects in another notification. nhtsa conducted investigation & should have recalled the 3.2tl type s vehicles as well as other models as they can potentially cause serious injuries and/or death to everyone concerned without notice at highway speeds especially. these transmission defects were known by honda/acura yet vehicles were being sold to the public anyway. honda/acura now claims the 2004 models will be redesigned. does this include their faulty transmissions? who can you ask if nhsta allows this to occur year after year. leasing this vehicle requires prayers that no one gets killed. yes, i'm angry!! a vehicle should be enjoyed & not a hazard that cannot be corrected.

This is a 2003 acura tl-s that had a transmission failure. acura contacted customers to extend the transmission warranty to 100,000 miles but that does not resolve the problem. my car is just over 7 months old and the transmission already failed. this must be a known issue at acura and should be investigated. transmission failures are extremely dangerous and deserves a recall. dt

Consumer states that the vehicle would intermittently shaft into park while driving. dealer and the manufacturer has been notified. feel free to provide any further information.

While driving at highway speeds automatic transmission slipped without touching gear shift. vehicle spinned out, hitting a wall on freeway.*ak

Transmission locked up at 55 mph causing the vehicle to skid.*ak

Consumer states while driving, a car suddenly cut into consumer's lane. consumer turned the vehicle to avoid hitting the other car and used the brakes immediately. vehicle span out of control, making 2 complete rotations and then hitting another vehicle. there was damage to both vehicles, but no one was injured. consumer feels the abs and tracking system failed to prevent the accident. *tt

While in d5 waiting to let head-on traffic go, could not complete left turn due to suddenly disengaged transmission, as if in neutral. *ak

Transmission slips and revs at approx 55-65 mph, so strongly car loses direction while driving and passenger feels 'jolt', dealership has replaced transmission twice, also replaced egr valve, problem continues to occur. axle not properly replaced; transmission fluid leaking out which caused car to smoke. met with regional service rep who was condescending and patronizing, and offered 'accessories'. transmission #1 was 'refurbished' and guaranteed by acura by 150,000 miles-->was replaced by #2 which was 'new'...still having the same problem-extremely unsafe!! i just want a car that is safe and works!!