I'm looking to buy a 2003 TL Type S.

If I get it's VIN number, can I determine whether or not there is the potential for trans failure?

The Acura dealer sent me the following blurb:

No need to worry . . . the transmission difficulties affected only the 2000-2002 models and only 1.6% of their production. The new 2003 model transmission has been re-engineered, therefore no more problems.

Since car dealers are legendary for their honesty :yack: I prefer to hear from you...the owners.

Thanks.

 

I own a 2002TL~~I heard there is alot of complain on the transmission especially~~and somthing like it's a silent call back...~
what's it about???and how do I know if mine has a problem??

 

I've had my tranny changed on my 2002TL 3 weeks ago at 20K and all I can get from the Dealer's sales and service people is a lot of vague crap. I called Acura Customer Service and asked specifically how the tranny issue was addressed. I wanted assurance that the replacement tranny I received was redesigned to correct whatever it was that caused the failure. I was told that the design was changed slightly to ensure that the problem with the 2000-2003 trannies were addressed.

I asked for this in writing, apress release, dealer notice, anything....but no such luck. Honda seems to be playing a little loose on this,....... trying to deflect any potential lawsuits, class action and otherwise is my guess, hence nothing in writing that states they are to blame.

The TL redesign is not far off so they're probably trying to weather it through until then.

If anyone hears or sees otherwise, please post and let me know.

 

Acura has extended the transmission warranty for some cars into 2003. If your build date is after July 2003 I believe the extended warranty does not apply. Whether you can deduce that this means the transmissions are fixed in these newer versions -- time will tell. My 2003 TL purchased Sep 02 is not covered.

 

Well, I bought my 3.2tl type-s at the end of May of 2002 (I keep forgetting to check on the door panel the production date when the car was "finished/built") and have gotten no letter from Acura in regards to the extended warranty. So, what I did was sign-up and create and account at

www.ahm-ownerlink.com

(it's a free service available from the Acura Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.), entered the promotion code on the letter (don't know if it's necessary or if it's still a valid code) and entered my personal information along with my vehicle's id number (the VIN). So, I found my car not to be included on the extended warranty. I guess it's good news, in a sense that I'll have to trust Acura / Honda that my car has the transmission with the "proper" fix on it.

Hope above info. helps out anyone who's still wondering whether they'll get a letter or are near the "cut-off" date of being included on the extended warranty and want to know where they stand with their transmission. Peace...

 

hey, i went through 3 tranny's on my 99, so obviously Honda is doing something wrong with all their trannies.

 

So, if you get another transmission now (Oct. 2002), should that be the last one you'll need? Is the problem fixed or are they just going to continue to rebuild/replace?

_

 

how do u know if u need a new tranny or not???

 

I suppose you will know when you try to drive it ans it sits there thinking it is in neutral :-)

 

I'm not sure about that letter thing because I've got a '01 and I still don't have a letter.

 

If you have to ask then you don't need one.

 

What Acura ownerlink says regarding the "recall" - note below what they call Normal and Not Normal:

Automatic Transmission Warranty Extension

Dear 3.2TL and 3.2CL Owners:


American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for the automatic transmission on all 2000-02 3.2TLs, all 2001-02 3.2CLs, and some 2003 3.2TLs and 3.2CLs. The automatic transmission and torque converter are now covered for a total of 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date of original sale. We are providing this warranty extension because a higher than normal number of automatic transmissions in certain vehicles may have problems due to defects in material or workmanship beyond the 4-year, 50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.

How do I know if there is a problem with my vehicle's automatic transmission?
If you think your vehicle has a transmission problem, refer to the operating characteristics below. Understanding these characteristics can help you decide if you need to call your Acura dealer.


These characteristics are normal; they should not require you to call your Acura dealer.

Quick downshifts. The transmission has a computerized control system called grade logic. When going down a hill, even a light touch of the brake pedal can cause grade lobic to downshift to the next lower gear. Downshifting helps to slow the vehicle through engine braking.

Does not always shift through the full range of gears. This can also be caused by the grade logic system keeping the transmission in the optimum gear for different driving conditions.

Mechanical noise when selecting a forward or reverse gear. It's normal to hear a slight mechanical noise when moving the shift lever from one gear to another. This noise can sound abnormally loud if any of the windows are down and you are parked next to a wall or another vehicle.

Vehicle may not hold its position when stopped on an incline in gear (may roll backward when the brake pedal is released). This can occur on most Acura-made vehicles. It is one of the measures used to improve fuel economy.

Hard shifts before the engine warms up. By design, the transmission shifts a little harder when the engine is cold. It returns to smoother shifting when the engine warms up.

These characteristics are not normal; if you experience any of them, call your Acura dealer.

While driving, the D5 indicator on the instrument panel flashes.

(D5 Indicator picture)


An abnormally loud noise from the transmission.
Extremely slow or delayed gear engagement, upshifts, or downshifts.
Abnormal gear slippage during upshifts or downshifts.
Erratic or excessively harsh shifting.
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) leaks.

In the next few weeks, owners of potentially affected vehicles will be sent a copy of this letter along with reimbursement instructions in case they previously paid to have the transmission repaired or replaced.

It's important to maintain your vehicle's transmission according to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Not maintaining the transmission properly can void the warranty coverage.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Acura Automobile Division


_

 

AcuraRice:
When you are driving down the road and it whips itself down a few gears and you feel a sharp jerk of the car you'll know That post copying text from acura sums it up.

eggbert:
I for one am not convinced that they have completely solved all the issues with the tranny since my second tranny installed on Oct 4th only lasted 512 miles

BlackPearl:
There are two known problems being addressed by acura with the tranny: the third gear clutch pack and the torque converter. They have re-engineered those parts to a harder/larger material to prevent them from failing. BUT!! As they claim they don't know why they are failing, they just know that they ARE failing. So they are just buffing up those parts to not fail.

A good handful of people (including myself) have experienced another failure unrelated to those two re-designs - the imfamous whining noise coming from the floor boards around 20-25 mph.

I am now on tranny #3, and after going through my I did I am not convinced that all the problems have been fixed:
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery...album07&id=aap

http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery...album07&id=aaq


In one of the many recent letters I sent to Acura I added this bit which sums up how I feel about my car, Acura, and Acura Road Side Asst.:I guess with a brand new '03 with a VERY recent build date I would feel comfortable driving. But I wouldn't want anything to do with '02 model TLs or an early built '03. They have been stained by their tranny problems.

-copland007

 

Thanks for the info...a hell of a lot more than Acura was willing to provide. But since I drive approx 35K per year, I'll be out of the tranny warranty in a couple of years, so I'll be looking to trade into an Infiniti or Lexus early next year.

No more Acura for me for a while.

 

Posting it up to the top for a friend.

 

my tranny on 2002tls has like a gitter feeling when i first start off and than its fine.

 

When was the trans fluid last changed?

 

I bought my 2003 TL-S in June of 2006. The previous owner and my Acura dealer reported that its transmission was replaced in May 2006. This new tranny failed in October 2009 and I had it replaced by the same Acura dealer for $2600. This new tranny failed two months ago. I had this transmission replaced, again, by the same dealer, for $460 IIRC.

2003s have the same issue regardless of what your dealer tells you.

 

Do realize the post you're responding to is over a decade old so the info may be a little "dated".

 

oops! Just saw Kris' reply so I started at the beginning of the thread and replied to the OP.

 

its been around 4 a whileeeeeeeeeeee..............

some of the info ....still relevant as of today still........