Hey, im about to purchase a 2003 TL typeS with about 68,000 on the clock. it was involved in an accident that damaged the rear, but i had a mechanic check it out for any frame or alignment damage and he said it was ok.

i called up acura customer care and verified that the recall WAS completed on the vehicle AND that it had the extended powertrain warranty on it.

so my questions now are:

1. with the completed recall, what does that mean to me in terms of transmission reliability?

2. what kind of servicing will need to be done in the upcoming months and when?

 

also, carfax showed that this car failed emissions tests a once or twice in TX, before finally passing.

 

Congrats on soon purchasing a wonderful car. I will try to help you out. I had a recall on my tranny and they extended it to up to 100k, and i think 7 yrs. or so. So you are good to go with transmission...as you know that is the weakest part of the entire car. As regards to maintainence, it is like every maintainence needed on used cars. Find out what's been done on the car, if not..you may have to do it yourself, meaning going to a shop and ask for a checkup. Whether the car failed or not, it's here now and it passed. I would check from engine to tail lights of the car by a local mechanic or by your expertise if you are planning to become one. Other than that good luck on your car, and enjoy it. When I had my 300zx, it had alot of failures on the carfax..didn't stop me from buying it. Also, check if it's from CA purchase..the emissions might be different from other states.

 

I am also in the market for TL was wondering whats the situation on the transmission. As long as the car is not salvaged and under 100,000 will acura warranty the tranny?
-Peter

 

s The transmission recall and warranty extension are two different things. The recall was for an add-on jet kit for something unrelated to the failures. Do a search for the Tranny failure thread and you'll find all the info you need. If you read the last few pages , you'll get most of your questions answered.

 

Great choice. We've had the '02 since new.

Approching 6 years you'll want to look at fluids drain/replace, Timing Belt replacement, Water Pump, Motor Mounts. Also see if the car is in the VIN Range for Timing Belt Tensioner replacement/recall.

Check this thread for what was recently done for my car at 6 years, 66k Miles:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179281

 

Hey is there anyone out there with the original tranny that is still kicking butt with it? just wondering if there is actually someone out there who has their car still running in awesome shape with the original tranny. Does the tranny problem affect everyone and their mamas?

 

its about 5 % of the cars made suffer the trans failure- this being a gathering place for tech help- the percentage is much higher-
the ziner curse- come here and brag about what great thing your trans is
- and 7 days later it dies

I know of a ziner with 150k miles on the trans and its fine
I know others who get a new trans every year!

 

best place to find a well loved acura is from a fellow ziner
the Off Topic link at top of every page here, click it- then scroll down to Private Sales- Member cars for Sale has its own sub-section right there!

 

Bought my 03 TLS new back in August of 2002 and had the first trans lock up while driving (rare case) @ roughly 37k miles. Had the trans replaced with a new unit by the dealer and haven't had a problem since, just turned 110k miles last week

Regular maintenance changing fluids is key IMO, but there are no guarantees

 

I had mine replaced before the 100K mark, and no problems have come up since. ("knock on wood")

Other blems were the door pillars faded, but CF overlays took care of that, and two door panels around the window controls separated, and the seam had to be "Superglued".

I just turned 134K miles on her yesterday and she runs strong and looks good.

 

I will shut up now about my perfect working original tranny

 

Truth is I *want* mine to break before the warranty expires. I'd prefer a rebuilt unit with all the known "fixes" applied.

Got to a 3 x 3 fluid change a few months before the warranty expiration. Just in case.

 

Where did you get that percentage of transm. failures? I'd be interested in a reference. Thanks.

 

made the purchase this morning for $11,300 + TTL. ill probably take it in to be serviced once i save up enough cash.

i am loving the power. my previous cars have been a 98 CRV (manual) and then a 94 camry v6, so this is quite an upgrade for me.

 

hondas data on the failure rate and what resulted in the court case from which we got 7yr+9month-109k mile extended warranty-
it was 3-5% of all the vehicles with the 5 speed auto trans- at the time they were initially dealing with it-2000-2003...cars made from 99-mid 03 were included in the settlement- that does NOT mean they ever fixed it- just needed a number to put on paper and settle the case. Thats where Goodwill Coverage comes in- secret extended warranty for late 03, and 04s -05s.....

The final failure rate number is higher- but ask the average TL owner you park next to at the store- they wont have even heard of the problem- probably unaware of the recall for oil jet kit install and has 100k+ miles with no issues
If it were a massive number, it would have been made into a trans recall- not extend warranty for those it does happen to.
gen3 is having same exact trans failure and they only have 50k warranty, like we started with~

 

spend 14 dollars on a can of Seafoam for 1/2 tank of gas and a can of Deep Creep- thats seafoam in a paint spray can!! for the intake manifold and TB plate cleaning service
best first DIY on the TL!
- makes the car run like new- and should be done before any service so the new parts have clean places to work in
Next spend 12-17$ on cabin air filter (2 in a box)- they have probably not been changed, and all the air into the car passes thru them- supposed to do every year- easy DIY

welcome to the world of being a ziner! check the Off Topic link at top of pages, then see Wash and Wax section. Everything you need to know about making your baby look better than showroom- make it Show-car clean!!! Then see the Meets threads- something happening everywhere, show up- noobs most welcome- check out other cars- meet local ziners who can help do installs or offer exra cleaner or polish for your car....

Its an addiction- but a healthy one!

 

Okay so I test drove a 2003 TL today. and I think the 3rd gear was kinda of sticking. But then I haven't really driven a TL around long enough to know for sure sure. Does anyone knwo where the shift points are suppose to be or tips to tell whether or not the cars tranny is bunk? the car onyl has 46k miles and according to acura records had a change of tranny at 27k. Anyone have any hints for me? I am thinking if I even come close to putting an offer for this car should i have the dealer check it out?

 

This is What Acura says is and isn't normal:



http://owners.acura.com/Maintenance/...paigns/L73.htm

 

okay but at 45mph what gear would the tranny generally be in. I was trying to get it to shift and it was kinda sticking in 3rd... not sure if thats correct or not... what are the shift points...

 

That car would have a pre 2005 replacement trans right? what was the date of replacement?
About early to mid 2005, there were changes made on the replacement units- a different case is usd now with better oil passages- Those units seem to be holding up much better than the early ones. Its not unusual to get 2- 3 -4 transmissions,, if that is your luck of the draw
They have made what changes they can to improve the situation- but the problem will never go away-

Often someone finds acurazine- buys a TL with minor symptoms, and a month later gets a free transmission-its like getting half a new car free!!
run some seafoam thru the engine and its like having a whole new car!!!

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp
click the year- then TL is at the bottem of the list- click that - give it a minute
Now the blue page numbers with list- click one- you can find the min max shift speeds there, and the SS operation speeds
It will shift at low rpms and speeds if you want or high rpm- the computer looks at what you are doing with the throttle and responds- its all electronic- the shifter lever triggers an electrical microswitch, not a cable to the trans

Often in trans failure, you will get a slipping clutch feeling when getting on it hard onto the freeway, as it goes into 2nd at 15-25mph and 3rd gear, it should not hesitate- it should glide smoothly from one to the next, up or down
On a test drive, go 25 and 35 mph- light throttle just cruising, and stand on the gas full throttle- the trans should shift down thru 3rd into 2nd and launch without hesitation- if it revs but doesnt accellerate- thats bad

If you have checked the car out with acura by calling 1-800-382-2238 x5 with the VIN and asking history and warranty in effect-
are you part of the recall for timing belt tensioner something? seatbelts- SRS?
anything you need to know abou this car before purchase??

If it checks out there and on the test drive- then have a private mechanic-shop put it on the lift--- and check for caliper operation- overall and uneven brake wear- damage of any kind- cv boots good- no leaks etc-- the normal used car checkout,,they do it all the time.
See if the brake fluid looks 5 years old in the master cylinder- that will need to be changed right away

If the car is part of the trans extended warranty- Remember there is a VIN cutoff- mid to late 03s are not ~covered~ but get goodwill coverage in MOST, but not all cases
If you are in covered miles range and VIN- dont sweat it-
read the tranny failure thread- call acura 1 800-308 2238 x5 and ask

If it has salvage title all trans warranty goes out the window

The car should run smooth like a 200hp sewing machine, and shift without effort.
No thunks- no delay into gear- no burned smell of the trans dipstick....

Check the Off Topic link at top of pages here- scroll down to Private sales and there is now `Member Cars For Sale` in its own section!!
You can find just about anything you want or post a wanted ad for free- get a well loved car--- over one with owner unaware of things like recalls, and low miles on an 03- whats up with that?
Did it ~really~ get a replacement trans at 20something or just the `oil jet install recall` issued in 2004. Make sure at the 800 number- they know- thats acura warranty center and customer care if you ever have a issue with the dealer.
Good Luck finding the right car- you will know when you see it---oh this ones coming home with me!

 

at 45 its looking for what you are doing- accell or cruising

 

Ok, was hoping you had a reference/link so I could read it. Found this (I'm sure everybody knows it by now) : http://www.hondatransmissionsettleme...php/login.php#

 

Okay so i pretty much agreed to a price on this TL but I had one major concern and it seems small but I bet it'd be a lot to fix if it was an issue. I saw the bulbs of the front headlights and they are blue. I think thats the high beams. Is it suppose to be blue? aren't the HID suppose to be white?