I just purchased a 2003 TL - low miles - 18K (miles). The car is very clean and seems to have been well cared for. In calling Acura they indicated that the car did have the transmission service under the warranty recall. I don't think that they replaced the trans but probably used the less expensive option of increasing the cooling (which as I understand it was the problem with the tranny design).

When decelorating between 30 and 20 miles per hour I have quite a bit of jerking in the trans - like it can decide what gear it should be in. I would expect it to be more smooth. Is this normal behavior for this car and model year or it there an issue with the transmission.

thanks in advance -

rdh

 

As you've probably figured out, the second generation TLs have serious transmission reliability problems.

The "oil jet" recall did not correct the problem that is causing the majority of the transmission failures. There is some hope that Acura corrected the problem with a design changes made in February of 2005.

Check out this thread for more details:

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/leather-conditioner-help-106818/

Start on the last page and work your way backwards since the thread is so massive.

You shouldn't have a lot of jerking in the transmission. I'd take it to your local Acura dealer and have it checked out since you're still under warranty. (Assuming the car doesn't have a salvage title.)

While you're at it you might want to call Acura again and see if your car is among the group of 2003 TLs that are covered by the 109,000 mile/93 month extended warranty on the transmission. Not all 2003 TLs are covered.

Bob

 

I've been reading the thread - sounds like the TL trans has major issues. Question - is this more of a problem with the TL-S? I have the standard TL and am wondering whether the S has different issues. I did call Acura (corporate) and they said that my car had the repair (new oil jet) installed back in 2005. They also said that Honda did not extend the warranty on this particlular vehicle. Does that sound correct?

Anyway, I will be going to the dealership tomorrow to register a complaint. We'll see where that lands me.

 

It doesnt matter what model you have, they all have the issue. Yes certain vin range acura didnt include in the trans warranty extension. They claimed the problem was fixed but its complete BS and dont let them tell you otherwise. As for warranty, you should still fall under the original manufacturer warranty.

 

yea - I have another 2 months on the original warranty. The trick will be in getting Acura to agree that there is a problem with the trans before the warranty expires. All in all it's a nice car. Too bad that it doesn't shift as well as my 10 year old Toyota Camry!

 

Once you get the new free replacement trans- your Camry will feel like a sandbox

Register your car at www.acura.com ownership experience link- by VIN make a free account and store your radio code there too. Read the section on trans failure there.

The dealer is not out to disprove your trans prob- they get paid to replace it ,so if its showing the right symptoms- it gets replaced.
Many do 4 a week or more!
Sometimes you have to leave the car there a few days till it acts up for them.
Thats ok- they give loaners!

Once at the dealer- even if out of warranty- personal contact with the Service Manager can get you a courtesy replacement.

 

I found the Acura site and registered there a couple weeks ago - now I just need to find my radio code so that I can store it online.

Thanks for the excellent advice - I'll make friends with the service mgr -

 

Ok let me ask you this if your in 3rd gear and going about 30mph which puts the car around 2k rpms and you let off the gas will it start jerking a little.

 

Yes - that sounds like the situation that I am experiencing. Does this means something specific or functioning as designed?

 

honestly I have no idea I just know thats what my car does as far as whether or not we need new trannys is up to the dealer. I think the best way to get us to reproduce it for the dealer (because no acting up no replacement) would be to put it in D3 go about 30 and let off the gas and hope it jerks the car a lot. I hate to say it but if I HAD to guess I would say its a sign of failure. Once again I dont Know for a fact that its bad but it doesnt seem normal to me.

 

acura.com has all the common known failure symptoms listed on their site and somewhere here on az as well
do your research