dammitjim

I was searching throught the threads, but I couldn't find one where you could tell how many people were still driving their 03TLS with the original transmission without problems.
I bought mine back in February and I'm loving it, but reading and hearing about transmission problems makes me kinda nervous. I guess by posting this thread I'm looking for some kind of comfort.
My car has 50k miles.
Can you please post if you still have your original transmission and what mileage you have on your vehicle? There must be some transmissions that were "fixed" in the 03 release of this vehicle, correct? I mean... right out of the factory.
Thanks for your posts in advance.

kevin0171

I got mine in Sep 2003 in brand new, now i'm hitting 80K km, still looks good, and i got extended warranty up to 160k km or 78 months for tranny....

bstreet59

my 03 tls has 55k miles on it with orig. transmission. no issues so far. not covered by ext. warranty.
good luck to both of us.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

i bought my 03TLS wit 49k on it...bout 30k miles l8r tranny died...tranny should b covered regardless

Bob_F

The general consensus on this forum is that Acuradid not fix the transmission reliability problems during the 2003 model year. There is some hope that revisions made in February of 2005 have resulted in a significant reliability improvement.

There have been a few forum reports of post-Feb 05 transmission failures but it's hard to tell, from a statistical point, if that's a significant number.

If you haven't already, check to see if your 2003 TL is covered by the 109,000 miles extended warranty. Not all 03s are covered and that depends on the VIN number of the car.

Bob

asmith0408

Bought my TL-S in April 2003. Trans just failed at 162,000km. Have been arguing with Acura for days now about warranty coverage and their final answer is they won't do a thing.

Anybody else in same boat?

torez

the same!

I dont know about the ext. warranty - have to find out!

Bob_F

Read this thread and post your experience there:

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/leather-conditioner-help-106818/

Start with the most recent posts since the thread is massive.

Bob

xdxlx

i bought mine in august 06, put 10k on it and im at 52k, and everthing is fine

vtec260

Mine has 53000 km = 33000 miles now, bought in October of 2006 at 46000 km.

VietGuy03

iTrader: (4)

I have and 03 TLS with 65,XXX miles and my transmission is going strong, no slippage or mis-shifts. I also have the extended warranty.

chewi

I would love to keep my Car for another 5 years so I hope the Original Tranny will last.

My 03 TL-S has about 62000kms now.

01tl4tl

register your car by VIN number at www.acura.com ownership experience link
It knows if you have the 7/109 coverage and any other issues on your car

Change the trans fluid every year with Honda fluid and that will help you guys too.

Tdot_TLS

i got my 03tls last year it had 55k miles on it now it had 66k miles and the car drives nice it shifts smooth i love it even knoing that i don't have the ext warrenty

Phesto

close to 25k miles now.

original tranny still going strong.bought car 10/02

VA TL-S

64k miles on the original transmission

03TLS4me

All is well, 38K miles. Trans oil has been changed a few times so far.

TLP_TLS

03 TL-S

bought mine brand spanking new in July of 02? i think. i have about 98,XXX on it and just small probs. Got oil jet pump update and everything. Occasionaly it slips and grinds but i have the extended warranty to 109k. so i hope im ok

LacViet

Bought my new 03 TLS in April 03. 77,000 miles later still with original transmission and no issue what so ever.

EOBrien

Bought the 03 TLS new in October 2003. 55K miles with no tranny issues. However, overall build quality was sub-par (squeaks/rattles) and the HomeLink has freaked out.

seanranger3

mine has aboout 33k and still no prob. cross my fingers

steve

Mine has 58K, original owner, have the longer warranty, updated kit installed, change fluid frequently, and drives well. But when the time or mileage get close on warranty, the car gets sold.

DUECE_DXJ

I bought my 03 TL-S/navi in mid 02 and now has about 67,000 with original tranny.no problems...knock on wood.I'm boosted now so when it dies I'm not replacing it I'm just going to have the 6 speed swap done

Black-Balled

iTrader: (3)

FYI...for those wondering if previous owners had tranny work done, there is a good chance that work done does not appear on a Carfax, Equifax or similar report. The only way to be sure is to request a "Warranty History Report" from an Acura Dealer.

Not sure if OwnerLink can get this for Owners...

Forgot to add my evperience- Bought car 9/1/6 @ 6705mi and (prior to purchase) ound the jet kit had been installed by orig. owner @ 3000mi. Today? 22k and no issues (please, God, no issues )!

Arabguy

Thanks for the info Black-Balled . i was gonna say i bought my TL about 4 months ago, and i was trying to find out if there was my transmission had some work done, but i couldnt get taht info. Now ill be able to see if i have original or not

laidback93

I bought my 03 TL-S Sept. 06. It had 60K and now has 68K. So far no problems. *Knocks on wood*

The status on the owner's link says "fixed". I'm assuming that means the oil jet was installed.

I've decided I want to sell it before it hits 100K. I love the car, but I don't want to take chances. Guess I already am now...

Bob_F

If your 2003 TL is in the group with the extended warranty on the transmission, you should have coverage to 109,000 miles because of the class action lawsuit. (Or 7 years + 9 months, whichever comes first.)

And if Acura did correct the major reliability problems with the February 2005 revisions, a transmission replacement while under warranty might result in a very reliable car. So look into that before selling.

Bob

laidback93

Unfortunately I found out a few weeks back that it was out of VIN range. SO....

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well there is always extanded warrantys you can buy and dont forget if you have a good dealership there is always the chance of goodwill work.

ChrisQ1980

I purchased my SSM 03 TL-S with 26k on the clock in 11/06. The car is certified pre-owned. My drivetrain warranty expires on 6/10 or 100k. I am now at 35k with no problems at all. I changed the fluid once.

My friend looked up my history (works at an acura dealership) The oil jet kit was installed a year and a half after purchase with 12,500 miles on the car. IT also said 2nd gear replaced. Fttsym has brought to my attention that they wouldnt replace 2nd gear, but instead the entrie transmission. So I really can't tell if it was replaced or not. lol

My father purchased an 03 TL-S back in 03 and 2 years later with 35k on it the tranny was replaced.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

correct me if im wrong on this but if you had the recall work done that also means you have the regular warranty extention by acura right?

Bob_F

Unfortunately not. They are unrelated.

The oil jet recall applies to all 2nd gen TLs while the warranty extension excluded the later production 2003 TLs. (Acura apparently thought they solved the transmission reliability issue with the later production run 2003 TLs. Many 2003 TL owners feel otherwise.)

So you can have the oil jet recall work done but no warranty extension.

The best way to find out about the warranty coverage is to call Acura with your VIN number and they can tell you immediately. You can also get the same information online by registering the car through OwnerLink.

Bob

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

See I always thought that acura didnt include the later 03s because they came with the oil jet recal already on them. So I was always lead to believe if you had to go back to get it put on that means yours wasnt one they considered fixed and they gave you the extra warranty. Apparently though I was wrong on this so what did they do to fix the later 03s?

Bob_F

That's interesting and I suppose that actually might be the case. I'm not sure what Acura did during the 2003 production run to "correct" the problem. Perhaps it was incorporating the oil jet kit. In that case, your understanding might be correct.

Perhaps someone else can shed more light on this.

But the bottom line is to call Acura or check Ownerlink to be sure.

Bob

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well maybe but who knows but yes I completely agree with call acura or register with the ownerlink to be sure.

ChrisQ1980

The oil jet kit keeps 2nd gear cool so it won't seize and cause the front wheels to lock up at 60mph. lol

I dont think there are any cases of that on here. The case that is the most common, where the extended warranty (7yr 109k) is for the 3rd gear clutch packs wearing out.

I guess they think the later 03's were fixed but they were wrong because just as many 03's fail as 02's. Luckily i'm covered under my "certified" warranty. But if I purchased this car from a private owner I'd have no warranty at all.

ckhirnigs113

I have an 03 tl-s with over 100k on the original transmission. I have had the oil jet fix done, but my VIN doesn't get the extended warranty. I assumed this meant the later 03's are not vulnerable to this problem. Is this correct? -CK

Bob_F

No, unfortunately, that is not the case. Acura apparently thought they fixed the problem during the 2003 production run but the concensus on this forum is that they did not correct the problem. There is hope that design changes made later in February of 2005 might have resulted in a reliability improvement.

But you might be able to get a goodwill replacement or at least some cost sharing from your local Acura dealership. It doesn't hurt to ask. If your local dealership can't help, take it up with the national customer care group.

Bob

Rick4771

2003 TL Type-S w Navigation, 47,000 miles going very strong, everything on the car works perfect. My transmission isnt covered by the acura extended warrenty so I'm buying my own extended warranty this week. 1200 bucks for an extended warranty is better than 4500 for a new transmission if this one gives up the ghost.

Bob_F

Doesn't your car have the basic warranty coverage up to 50,000 miles? If so, why not wait until you get closer to or reach that mileage? There's always a chance that your transmission will start acting up before then and you could get a free replacement through Acura. That could potentially save you $1200.

Also, the cost to replace or rebuilt the the existing transmission can be much less than $4500. The completely rebuilt 4-speed transmission in my 1999 TL was about $3200 through an Acura dealership. Except for the external housing, every internal part was brand new..

Other forum members have reported that a rebuilt transmission through a non-Acura transmission shop could be less than $2,000.

So be sure to weigh all of your options before purchasing the extended warranty.

Bob