2002 TL-P, 51k miles

No transmission problems. Only a swapped stereo so far, which was a win-win situation. Not only was the part replaced under warranty, but I also got to beat the hell out of a 2004 TSX for my troubles. (Nobody told me that the SS didn't automatically shift from 1 > 2 - Oops)

 

 

I have a 2000TL with 5 speed auto trans purchased 12/28/99 I now have 49,000 miles with no trans problems in the 4yrs of ownership. Depending on what year TL & the mileage on the car that you may purchase it may still have a Transmission Warrnanty Extension on it.
The warranty is from American Honda & it covers all 2000-2002 3.2TLs with automatic transmission.
It covers the transmission & torque converter for 7yrs or 100,000 miles whatever comes first from original date of sale. This warranty also covers some 2003 3.2TLs & 3.2CLs & all 2001-2002CLs

 

FYI the ES300 also had their share of tranny and other problems to deal with. It's not just the TL. Honda / Acura is just one company experiencing problems with auto trannies, but their not the only ones. Chrysler had it for years and still does, GM is well known for it. Nissan also had tranny problems with their manual trannies on their 350Zs. If you want the car, then get it. The 2nd Gens (99 to 03) have extended tranny warranties even if bought used as long as the mileage is reasonable.

 

Yeah, no car is perfect unfortunately ... I think my next car is going to be a 6spd MT ... It seems like most cars have better reliability with MT although I know that isn't always the case. But imho, if you're going to worry all the time about your car, Toyota/Lexus has got a better reputation in terms of reliability and handling of problems.

 

There's more. Rebuilt trannies had undergone many mod. revisions. First Honda implemented one mod., thought it would fix the problem, but rebuilt trannies still failed. So Honda added more mods., new rebuilt still failed, then Honda added even more mod revisions.

Cooling duct widening was one of the many mod. revisions. Among them, there are new 3rd gear clutch pack with better tolerance, new PCM to reduce engine output during gear shifts, etc, etc.

However, rebuilt trannies, even with the latest revisions, still failed as reported by some TL/CL members.

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=126

The above link will have all the lengthy information you'll ever need to understand the whole story, especially inside the Honda investigation report submitted to NHTSA.

To sum it up, according to the report, extreme heat was generated during WOT 2nd-to-3rd and 5th-to-2rd gear shifts. This heat could not be dissipated effectively resulting that the 3rd gear clutch pack started to fall apart. The disintegrated junks clotted up the transmission fluid filter, thereby restricting the fluid flow even more. Terminal tranny failure resulted.

 

TLs have fantastic reliability overall. They didn't gain the popularity and service ratings for nothing.

There have been a lot of them produced, being one of the most popular sports sedans in north america from 99-03.

Some TLs do have their issues, but the larger majority don't. If you're not experiencing unusual problems on a test-drive, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a TL at all. There is an extended warranty replacement on them anyway.

I have 120kkms on it with no problems. I know people up at the 250 without issues.

 

I'd still say buy a TL they're great cars, I think its just a bad batch that came off of the tranny production line. Acura is at least attempting to fix half of the problem, so you have to give them credit for that. Also, buy new or certified from a dealer I learned the hard way and bought my TL from a mechanic who fucked it up pretty bad. It wasn't apparent to me when I bought it just how much stuff he did wrong on the car and its a mess now. SO my TL has problems, but its my fault for buying it from some crazy mechanic guy and not a dealership or someone who would have taken care of their car. And this is a forum...so people are going to be either showing off their mods or bitching about things going wrong with their car. Just my I woke up opinionated this morning guys

 

This is a GREAT car no matter what. Even though there are tranny issues, it shouldn't stop you from buying one.

And for the love of God, PLEASE DON'T BUY A BMW INSTEAD!! (especially a 3-series) They are sooo overpriced compared to the TL.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

My tranny in my 2000 TL made it to 164,000 miles, and I wasn't easy on it either!

 

FYI this thread is 4 mths old

 

I think he is on his fourth tranny! Not GOOD!

I have a 2002 TL-S. First tranny went at 38k (original owner did this and shortly after that sold the car to me. I purchased it with 38.6k)
I have almost 60k and have had some tranny "scares." as in one time the engine bogged down and the LCD started flashing 5 or 2 for a couple of seconds. Also I noticed it is taking more time to shift into third.

I cannot say I am impressed. I feel like I should have just bought a used Accord V6.

 

Damn noobies raising the dead!