2003 TL-2, 99997 miles and the tranny went. Luckily I had AcuraCare extended warranty as my car was not covered by the extended Tranny warranty. Sypmtoms - VSA lights comes one, engine failure light always one, takes time to shift from Neutral, Reverse to drive. It was a nightmare driving into the dealer on Friday as the Tranny would not even engaged. Finally got it towed. Now driving 09 MDX for loaner. But this whole experience has clearly put a sour note on my Acura-Honda experience as I have been owning them since 1990. I am hoping the good-smart folks at Acura-Honda have learnt how to build a better replacement tranny for my 03 TLS.

 

Nice move with the warranty, and ask how long the warranty is on the new tranny

 

^i got a 3years 36k on mine

 

why is this a sour note on acura? you have a car with a well known problem that was nice enough to have a massive failure while in warranty!
thatsyou getting half a new car at 100k miles!!- do the 105, throw some seafoam and new plugs at it,, and its a whole new car
The engine is barely broken in~
Good score on getting that extra protection!

Most of the replacement trans are good- with a few failures reported overall for the number replaced
It may fail but its got warranty too- so no sweat

The new case has better oil flow but still not enough to critical areas

 

^ dude this is a sour note on Acura, its expected that a tranny will last more than 100,000 miles on a Honda. you have to under stand people assume honda makes the best cars on the market. they ride their reputation off of making the most reliable cars in the market. it a shock to find out your car has a crappy tranny and poopy motor mounts. every time i tell my friends that i got my tranny replaced they are shocked. they are shocked every time i tell them that 2nd gen TL's have major tranny problems. they almost dont belive me, they ask me doesn't honda make the best cars?

it blows to watch a honda ad on TV when they emphasize how reliable and long lasting their cars are, when your own honda cant last 80k without busted motor mounts and a blown tranny. it really bites.

i really hope my replacement tranny holds up, i want my car to last 200k+ miles. i want my car last and prove to me that Honda really does make a good reliable car. these problems put a big dent in my confidence for Honda, though i still have faith in Honda. thats why i am keeping my car.