B350

2013 ACURA TL BASE MODEL
LEASE
9000KM

So about a few months ago i started noticing a rattle/clunking noise in the right rear but I suspect it might be from both sides. I took the car to the dealer, they told me one of the struts is bad and needs changing...So they changed the pair out. I drove the first day noticed a much smoother ride and I thought the clunking was gone. I wake up the next day there was snow on the ground and the road was very rumbly...And i hear the rattle start again and it seems to have gotten just how it was before. This usually occurs at slow speeds 40km/hr and under.

Took it back to a different dealer, went on a test drive and the mechanic heard the noise again.They said they inspected the suspension and that everything looks tight. They also said they took 2 other Tls out that made the same noise. So i asked them to let me go on a ride....I sat in the passenger and I must admit I did hear it sometimes but not as bad as in mine....Also I had a loaner TL which made a clunk noise but not a rattle.

Im really lost for words here because I don't even enjoy driving this car and I have a 4 year lease...It is driving me insane I see other people have this problem as well. Does anyone know if calling ACURA will help with this? Should i tell the manager Im not happy. I dont know anymore, Any input would be great thank you.

MED

You could reach out to Acura corporate and see if their regional rep can come out and listen for the noise. They may work on a remedy for you or possibly explore a TSB if it's widespread. I've always found that rattles and other noises are the hardest to treat and garner the least sympathy from the company/dealers.

B350

Hey thanks for the reply. Ya it seems like it. I called Acura Canada and they told me To go back to the dealer and that they cannot do nothing if the dealer said there is no problem haha. You think corporate would give me the contact info of the rep?

probmxstyle

The clunking in the rear is a very common problem it seems. My 2012 has a noisy rear end as well. Doesn't seem to affect handling though.

B350

Yes ive been reading about this clunking....do you ever hear a faint rattle though on slow speeds? My handling and suspension seems fine as well..

B350

UPDATE: Took it back...they are telling me they cannot find any play anywhere. They are going to change out the rear stabilizer bushings saying that may be the culprit. We shall see what happens.

kepatton2064

I have the same issue. Driving out of my neighborhood daily over street cracks, and it sounds like a muted "pop" or thump. I only seem to hear it when driving below 40mph. Annoying as hell - never had a car that made that sort of sound over minor bumps. I've reported it twice to the dealer and they said everything under there (rear suspension) was tight. I had one of their loaner cars - same year TL as mine - and it made the same exact sound, so I agree with others that it may be a characteristic of the car. Frustrating.

#B350 - do you have an update to changing the rear stabilizer bushings?

kakins23

Wow i am going through the same issue now. I took it to the deler 2x's already and they said my suspension is tight and the yard not sure where the noise is coming from. I will be bringing it back next tuesday hopefully they can find it then. Frustrating!!!!!!

LNJ

I noticed this clunk as well yesterday for the first time and every time I went over a speed bump at very low speeds.

mattcl-s

I have same issues on my 03 cl-s rattles all the time unless im on a super smooth road...very obnoxious sound. rear passenger side thought it was exhaust hitting something I checked it myself didn't see anything it could possible be rattling on...could it be strut mount? opinions please!

wreak

I took mine in for a sunroof popping noise and they had to pull the headliner to fix it, they also told me the car had a noise under the rear decklid so they fixed that as well. I was happy with the fix but still notice noises elsewhere (center console), sadly my 2012 TL doesn't seem to have the same build quality my 2005 TSX had...

LNJ

Anyone try the fix in TSB 11-025?
Seems possible that this is the issue for the rear right!

B350

Well, I am glad to see I am not the only one....No improvement at all....whole strut assemblys were supposedly replaced, and the car was "zeroed" out, whatever that means.

They basically have told me to deal with it.
I have the number to corporate for Canada, but I am waiting to see how this TLX turns out to see if it is possible to trade in since I am leasing, before I completely lose it on these guys. I also have to say, I noticed that the body dents verrrry easily as well, and that my rims are flaking a tiny bit...We had a long winter here but still, the car has 22000km lol. The power is great on the car, fun to drive when going fast but after this lease is up, I am definitely never having anything to do with an Acura or Honda again. They are making billions and don't care about their clients. LNJ can you post the link for that TSB?

LNJ

It's in this thread under the 2011: https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/4g-tl-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-701767/

You'll have to follow the instructions to log in to the site before you can actually open it.

mattcl-s

I have a 03 cl-s I had an issue with the clunking noise everyone is talking about. I replaced the sway bar end link, and the sway bar bushing NO MORE CLUNKING!!! rides like new again get those checked out cheapest fix then replacing the rear suspension. cheers!

kepatton2064

I had the same clunk issue coming from the rear. After talking to the dealer about it 3 different times over the last 18 months I took back to the dealer specifically for this issue only. Now have 25K miles. Clunk noise was getting worse and I was fed up with it. I made the technician get in the car to ride with me. He heard it too. Dealer ended up replacing BOTH rear struts under warranty. It is much improved now, but we'll see how long it lasts. Frankly I think the original struts were crap - so many other people in this forum complaining of the same issue. As much as I love the car, if the noise comes back I'm dumping it. Makes no sense to make that payment and not be totally happy with the car.

maxAmillion

iTrader: (1)

I had a rattle over bumps too. Drove me nuts. Went back and forth with the dealer. Turned out the e-brake cable was loose. They tightened the cable, thus tightening my e-brake and bam noise gone. Hope this helps.

Brock79

Threads like this male my head spin, everyone on here talks about how great Acuras fit and finish is and how many other car companies are inferior. I have owned my TL since Feb 2014 and I have only had it in my possession for half the time I have owned it. Anyone wanna guess where it is now?

Nabooly

I gave up on trying to get the clunk resolved in my 09 TL.....I know not all these rear noises are coming from the same issue but I've had loaners that make the same noise. The only thing keeping my mind "at ease" was that I did bring the car in for this issue and the techs indicated it as "normal". If something goes wrong back there I will undoubtedly have them check back on my service records and see that I had brought it in.

csmeance

lubricate the bump stops and verify the springs are installed right on the shocks. I had a clunk/thump with my MDX's shocks and that solved the issue. The Tech applied grease to the bump stops and it magically stopped for almost 100K so far!

lacough

I had a similar clunk/rattle that was driving me nuts. It was actually a metal/on metal under the rear deck where the clearance was under spec! In fact, the dealer showed me a service bulletin that referred to the issue. They actually remove the trunk carpet from the deck lid seperated the metal pieces (still welded) and lubricated and the issue is gone.

Mustapha.Mond

I've owned my 2012 TL for 2.5 years now. The subtle clunking in the rear sounds like I left an empty plastic bucket rolling around in the trunk (with nothing else in the trunk). I hear it at under 25 mph, and usually when it's cold like in the 40s. Furthermore, it's the loudest when in a parking garage going downhill slowly. I've learned to live with it. Seems it's something easy-to-fix which the dealers miss because they're unsympathetic to it and can't identify it.

I've added a Lexus IS and a Mercedes CLA to my stable since then, and have to admit they handle cabin noise significantly better than my TL. I love many things about this car, however one of the qualities of a luxury sedan is the lack of creaking, clunking, ticking things. America's roads/infrastructure are crap and the TL exacerbates the commute with noises from 3-4 areas which the dealers won't fix.

Crafty Veteran

Had a rattle in the trunk....replaced the propeller shaft, rear shocks and sway bar links plus loaner for 2 days. Battery then died driving out of the dealership and got a new one on warranty....this on the same week Lexus charged me for gas in their loaner. Great service Jody Wilkinson in Salt Lake City!!!

Kruezr

Bought a new TLX 2 days ago. 84 miles in it. Driving over a speed bump this morning loud clunking noise. Took it back to dealer who said the right front strut has to be replaced. We'll see if that does the trick. Sure hope so as I can be very tenacious on these type of things. Plus, I'm retired and have all the time in the world to be a regular presence at the dealer until the problem is corrected

John35205

Hi, what kind of Lubricant did you use for you car? Thanks, I really want to get this issue solved.

John35205

Hi, what kind of Lubricant did you use for you car? Thanks, I really want to get this issue solved.

csmeance

The tech used some white lithium grease that was sprayable if I remember correctly.

John35205

Dealership sucks, they don't know anything about their cars except for ripping off people.