I'm a little confused by the tranny issue that I'm hearing so much about. I have an 03' that I purchased in March of 02', one of the earlier releases of the 03' model. I read that Acura is either not replacing the trannies for some of you or they are with same defective tranny.
So far at 43000 miles I have no problems. However, I did receive a "Warranty Exension" from Acura in 9/02 (See below) My question is... Are some of you being denied the extension, or just unaware of it, or is the tranny being fixed/replaced with the same problematic tranny.

Thanks in advance!!

Warranty Extension notice follows

October 2002Dear 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


* 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

 

what about 1999TL?

 

 

I have an early '03 model as well. How do we know which '03s are covered??? What do they mean when they say "some"???

According to Honda: "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."

How will I know if mine is covered under the extended warrenty???

 

if you recieved the notice you are covered by the 7year 100,000 extension

 

i purhcased my 03 tl-s back in july of 2003... i didnt receive any notice of a warrenty extension and it feels like my tranny is about to flop on me... i know its covered right now casue the kms are very low still.... but am i protected with the warrenty extension?!?!?