AsianRage

I'm in the market for a 2002-2003 TL-S and I wonder if the tranny problem is something that exist with every car? Does everyone on this forum have an issue with their tranny? Are there exceptions?

hzm82

They have a mandatory recall on all 00-04 TL. So you shouldn't worry too much. Not everyone has an issue with it either.

TeknoKing

about this recall, it is only valid if they send me a letter to make an appointment?

AsianRage

yeah, couldn't I just go to the dealership and see if they can check the tranny for any problems, and resolve it?

deye

I wouldn't trust the
"STEALERSHIP" to tell me if the car has tranny problems. Those clowns will probably do what it takes to make the sale. But u have a 100k mile warranty so u should have peace of mind and if it becomes problematic u can always dump it. But overall they are great cars.

CalgaryTL

I was told my warranty was extended to 8yrs 160K on my '99 TL also. Next time its in for service they are going to do a tranny test and see if it needs replacement.

JPritch

I'm under the belief that even though some '03 owners haven't experienced a tranny problem yet (I am one of them), that our transmissions are inherently flawed and WILL break given enough time. I think 100% of the transmissions are crap, it's built into the design, it's just that some have broken sooner than others.

indoMFP

but some people with the 03 TL have had their trnnies fail... sad but true...
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87386

How do you check the build date and if your tranny falls under the recall???

JPritch

IndoMFP, I think there is a sticky on the World site that lists affected VINS for the 3rd gear clutch pack failure which is causing all the tranny failures. It should be under the TSB forum. If you want me to check for you, let me know your VIN.

As far as the recent recall is concerned, that problem is not causing the failures everyone is experiencing. As far as I know, ALL 2000-2003 TL's are affected under that particular recall.

billmatt

Not all TLs have a trans. problem. My 2003 TLS has 24k on the odometer & I've not had problem 1!

yield2s

ALL Honda 5ATs are prone to failure. 3rd gear clutch packs can't handle the power and lugging 5th gear will cook the 2nd gear shaft, as it is not getting any/enough fluid. This is straight from Honda's own NHTSA report and the recall letter.

gagetrol

Yes, my 03 TLS with a build date of DEC 2002 just had a failure. I think all the 5 speed automatic transmissions may have a faulty design.

goofy8

Has Honda / Acura fixed this problem? Are they just putting in the same transmission design. If not when did the first "Good" transmission design come out?

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

The design of the transmission has not changed since day 1. About a year ago Honda/Acura came out with a new ECU that supposedly "de-tuned" (rumor about the de-tune) that would prevent slippage (slipping creates heat, heat creates blown transmissions in some cases). The major problem with the transmission is the lack of fluid delievered to the clutch packs. This will "eventually" cause the clutch packs to break. When a TL or CL owner experiences the classic 5th to 2nd gear downshift at 70 mph they have broken clutch packs. Without the redesign of the clutch packs (i.e. making them out of carbon/kevlar or the like instead of steel or aluminum) they will crack from the lack of fluid. I have the updated ECU and have not experienced any loss of performance due to the "de-tune." The car actually shifts faster now because there is no slippage between upshifts or downshifts. I also put down more whp than most other CL-S or TL-S's out there with equal mods.

Another failure that can occur within the transmission is having the 2nd gear teeth stripping or breaking off completely. This is the failure I experienced. On a downshift at 50 mph from 3 -> 2 the car jerked and just reved. The gear didn't catch at all. The mechanical "explosion" that occured within my transmission shattered the reverse gear, the 2nd gear, and 3rd gear.

The current recall calls for a "squirter" to be installed that will spray ATF towards the 2nd and 3rd gear clutch packs. This squirter is pretty weak though; think Super-Soaker vs. Fire Hose. This recall is more of a band-aid fix than a complete repair. Until the clutch packs have been replaced with ones made of a stronger metal the failures will continue.

Remember, not all owners have had transmission problems. Mine went out at 47k miles. There are owners over 100k that are on their 1st transmission still. Still others have had 3 transmissions in 30k miles. And it is not caused by aggressive driving; your grandmother could have a transmission die. It is a flaw by design, unfortunately there is no way to prevent it from happening without replacing the transmission with a built up one that will run you around $3000.

Let me know if you have more questions...

indoMFP

Thanks, Jpritch....
__________________________________________________ ______________

Originally posted by Phoenix over at .com:

03-002 3rd Gear Clutch Pack is Worn

VEHICLES AFFECTED:

2000–02 3.2TL: All

2003 3.2TL (except Type S):
From VIN 19UUA5...3A000001
thru 19UUA5...3A019556

2003 3.2TL Type S:
From VIN 19UUA5...3A000001
thru 19UUA5...3A019061

2001–02 3.2CL: All

2003 3.2CL (all models):
From VIN 19UYA42..3A000001
thru 19UYA42..3A005203
SYMPTOM

The symptoms of a worn 3rd gear clutch pack include,
but are not limited to
• No upshifts or downshifts
• Slippage or flaring on upshifts or downshifts
(primarily in 3rd gear)
• Erratic or excessively harsh shifts
• Slow or delayed gear engagement
• The MIL is on and/or the D5 indicator is flashing

PROBABLE CAUSE

The 3rd gear clutch pack in the automatic transmission
is worn.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

If diagnostics confirm an internal problem with the
automatic transmission, replace the transmission and
the PCM.

NOTE: Certain 2000 3.2TLs and 2001 3.2CLs will also
need a new fuel pressure regulator, whether or not the
regulator was previously replaced because of Service
Bulletin 01-001, Hard Start After “Hot Soak.”

TeknoKing

just logged in to the Owner's Link, my car is called for a recall, they said we have to wait for the mail to come in, but I can only picture the waiting list to get it down to the dealer with all the TLs in NY area. this sux.

jazzpicker

Mr. Steve,
Please tell me more about this "built up" tranny. Does this mean that someone has a fix for the tranny problem if you are willing to pay the bucks???

1SICKLEX

If you like gambling, take a chance with the tranny!

69ssrscam

So, does anyone know what improvement Acura did to the transmissions starting in late 2002 (In the middle of the 2003 model run) to correct the design problem???? Since the later 2003's are not covered by the 100K warranty extension, should I assume that Acura made a design change to correct the problem????

Is this the same "redesign" that is used in the 2004 models???

Has anyone with a later model 2003 that does not fall under the extended warranty had a transmission failure???

I am worried that I will have a liability on my hands if my later model 2003 fails between 50K & 100K and is not covered by Acura.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Internally the transmissions are identical from 2001-2003. I believe the changes from later '02 into the '03 model year were ECU adjustments.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Do a search on A-CL for Velocity Resources. Their transmission replaces the torque converter as well as upgrades the clutch packs to carbon/kevlar. They rate it at 600 hp I believe. Although there is no CLS or TLS pushing 600hp right now so I don't know how they came up with that number.

Look for the transmission to run between $2500-$4000 depending on what options you want; they have various "stages" of upgrades.

69ssrscam

Thanks mrsteve.

I find it interesting that Acura included all 2003s on their "squirter" recall, but not on their warranty extension......Smells fishy to me.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Model year '03 transmissions blow too The changes made in the late 2002 model year and the 2003 model year have been applied to those '01s and '02s that had their transmission replaced (new ECU). They originally thought that would make the problem go away. Although, very few people who have had their ECU replaced with the moddified unit have had a transmission failure.

The only complete fix is a redesign or a rebuild with clutch packs that won't wear out. The squirter will help with the 2nd gear teeth breakage/strippage (the particular problem I had).