I had a 2000 Tl with 40,000 KMS (24,000 miles). Transmission started leaking and after 6 weeks the dealer nor Acura Canada knows when a replacement transmission will be in. I got fed up and asked Acura to buy my car, they naturally refused. I talked to the owner of the dealership, and to help me out gave me a real sweet deal on a 2002 TL . Has anyone else had transmission problems ? Has anyone else had poor service from Acura Customer Relations Department ? Did I do the right thing by giving Acura another chance ?

 

I think you did the right thing as long as you got a real good deal on the new TL. As far as the Acura Customer Relations Dept, I don't know but I think your TL was an isolated incedent. I know there was some transmission issues with 99TL's but when Acura went to 5 speed auto in 2000, I think that was resolved. I had a 2000 TL w/ 30K up until recently and I had no problems. Now I have 2002-TL-S.

 

Transmission started leaking on 24k miles???
Please let us know how it turns out... I personally think that it will be better if you get good deal on 02 TL.

 

I have a 99 tl and have 45k miles on it. And so far i have no tranny problem. do you guys think i should really spend 1800 on extended warranty. i would buy it but 1800 is alot of money for something like that. any input?? thanks in advances..

 

Well, I am another fed up Canadian Acura owner.......

I think the TL is a decent car, and I truely believe in "you get what you paid for" So, I am sure that the fact that it is made in the USA does have something to do with the quality issue...


But I personally will NEVER buy another Acura or perhaps another Honda product..... in Canada at least......

Acura Canada gave me lots of CRAP, and althought Acura Canada Customer Relation is pretty kind most of the time, the offer no HELP AT ALL..............

Don't get me wrong, I know BMW, and Lexus suck ass as well... In Canada at least........ But I just don't think that I have to take any $hit for the dealer. I tried 3 dealers in Toronto. THEY ALL SUCKED ASS!!!

So, I am done with my venting... maxzoey....... I feel your pain...

I have some problems with the engine and tranny on my 2000 TL as well... but the car still runs fine...... I think I will trade it in sometimes next year...... since it's leased....... I don't wanna take too mcuh hit by trade it in, now... But trust me... I want to get rid of it after 1 month of ownership......... not because of the car, but the dealers and Acura Canada.....

 

Thanks for all your comments. I will be taking the dealer up on his offer to get me in to a 2002 Acura TL. It is just too bad that Acura Canada Customer Relations offers no help to people who have bought their product. I am hoping that the new TL gives me the trouble free years of driving I was hoping for when I bought my 2000 TL.

AS for the transmission problems at the dealer was saying my problem was an isolated problem, but after 6 weeks that the tranny was on back order, I found out I was 16 th in line in Canada waiting for a new tranny, and in the US there was well over 150 people waiting for a transmission. When new transmissions became available, they were all going to the USA , leaving Acura Canada not knowing when a replacement transmission would come to Canada.
All in all the dealer has treated me fairly, giving me a loaner car for 6 weeks, taking my car at a fair trade in value, and discounting the 2002 , which is unheard of in this market. All I can say is if you are having problems, work with your local dealer, and only go to Acura Canada to open a file, to get your complaints on file. If the dealer is reputable, he will go to bat for you.

 

If you buy an extended warranty remember that the price of the warranty is negotiable!

Also keep in mind that if you spend $1800 on the warranty you better hope to get at least $2500 to $3000 worth of paid repairs or its not worth it. Most likely you wouldn't run into that kind of repair bill until the car is up over $100k and the extened warranty is no good. You could take that $1800 and stick it in the bank. Use the interest to pay those kind of repairs.

As with all extended warranties (cars/electronics/whatever) they are usually a waste of money and a big money maker for the dealer. The sales person gets a nice commission on those things too.

How come the dealer tells you the car is great but then they tell you that you need the extended warranty incase the motor blows up?

 

Could you please let us know SL1200MK4 those dealers, may be we should avoid them?

 

…and I forgot to ask, what are those problems and what is the mileage on your car SL1200MK4?

 

Okay, I have a 2000 TL with 34000km. I bought the car at Downtown Acura. The service manager Steve (or Scott I can't really remember his name) is a jerk. The only nice people there is Alan. I have been there for service for about 6 times in the first 5 month.

I have rattles on sunroof, seatbelt buckle, and now in the steering wheel colume as well.

I also have problems with Engine check light. Trouble starting the car. Engine knocking, TCS fail due to the ECL (which is related to the ECU). The light came on about 2 weeks after I got my car, and kept on poping up no matter how many times I took it in and have them reset it. They did replace the ECU in my car once, no help. They always have those VERY VERY BAD ATTITUDE!!! Damn, I am driving a CAD 40K car. I think I deserve some respect as a customer no matter what I drive, let it be an old Kia or Ferrari!!!

They always gave me a loaner car, until the 6th times I believe. I live all the way up North, so I have to have a loaner. That's why I decided to go to Acura North Toronto.

Turns out that they don't give loaner to anyone under 21. Well well, I can live with that. But they had the same kinda $hity attitude, too. I mean I am sure that if you go in there drop your key, and pay for it when you pick up your car, you won't run into those kinda problems. But God damn it!!! My car got so many troubles that still exist today. They giving me SO MANY hassles. And they told me that "we are nice, we never give any attitudes to people" F that!!!

Besides all that, they told me to replace my spark pulg at 24km, while another dealer said that there's no need to replace them til 48km. When I walked into the showroom before I bought my car, no body bothered to ask me if I need any help. That's why I didn't buy that car over there.

My last service I went to a dealer at Aroura. They were pretty okay, but again they don't give loaner to anyone under 25. WTF!!!

This really pisses me off. Why, becuase if you can let me test drive your brand new TL/MDX/CL-S, why can't you trust me with a $hitbox loaner? Becuase what you have to pay for the insurance? Well then sorry I learned my lessons, and I will buy something else next time!!!

Anyways, try not to go to Downtown Acura and Acura NorthToronto. That's all I can say.

Please don't stereotype me becuase my age and all that. I do know the value of every penny that I spend. And please understand that it's not only about the loaner car, or their attitude. It all added up.

I expect Acura to have a better attitude, and perhaps more respect to the younger gerneration. Then again, my car is really a $hitty lemon. Electical problems, rattles, wrapped brake rotor, and.......... So, better quality as well... PLEASE!!!

My dealer also offered to have me trade in my car for the TL-S/RSX-S. I really liked the RSX, except that stupid seatbelt design. But after all, I have to say that... Sorry but no more Acura for me in the future.

Sorry for the long post, but I might have to say that things are pretty different here compared to the States. At least from what I have read about the dealers in the States, they seems to be much better........

 

I really can't say a bad word about the service I gat at Crown Acura in Winnipeg. Whenever I had to leave my car for an oil change they would give me a loaner. The only problem I ever had with the car was the leaking transmission, but I still call the car a lemon. The transmission should not have to be replaced in any car at 40,000 kms. That why I call my car a lemon.

But I got no support from acura Canada, regarding the delivery of a replacement transmission.Infact two promised delivery dates past, with no explanation from Acura Canada to the dealer or myself. When I told the owner of the dealership I was going to trade the car in for a new Lincoln LS , that was when he offered me a sweet deal on the new car.

What happens in Toronto, where there are a number of Acura dealers. Do they discount the Acura TL? In Winnipeg, all Acura TL and CL sell for full MSRP. The 2000 Acura was the first car I paid full price for, and I found that strange. I called dealers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and they too sold at full MSRP. It was a pleasant surprise when the owner of the dealership offered me this deal.

 

All I can say SL1200MK4 is that I understand you 100%. When I was looking to buy my car I had very bad experience with Sterne Acura in Aurora.
Your car is still under warranty so try other dealerships even though they are not close to you. Of course, we in Canada can generally speaking expect worse service comparing it to USA, simply market is way smaller, they are still able to sell enough cars and they simply do not care.
You can use the phone and check other dealerships, ask them about loaners and so on. The one you can begin with for example is Acura Sherway. Also Acura 2000 in Brampton does not sound bad as well. Luckily there is more then one dealership here in Toronto area. Like with any other problem that happens, calming down, making a plan and being persistent usually help. And let us now what happens if you try above-mentioned dealerships.

 

Well, I have moved to London Ontario for school. They got a dealer here, so I will just go there no matter I like it or not.

It's most likely that I will get rid of the car in summer 2002, and that's FOR SURE!!! Well, at least 90% sure.

Not sure what I will get by then, maybe a used $hitbox that's good for college? As long as it's safe and reliable, then it's all good for me. Of course I might looking the IS300 and the Bimmer. I actually test drove the IS300 5spd today, but don't feel that it's the right car for me... It's likely that my insurance will rise because of some incidents that happened recently. So, the M3/Vette that I planned before is almost out of the question. Not to mention that I live in a townhouse, now and I don't have a garage for my car...

Oh, and btw, Sterne Acura is one of the dealers that gave me better service already. So, imagine those dealers in Toronto...