Hey guys, I tried searching for this but couldn't find anything. I am trying to expand my options with TL's and pretty much nixxed 04s off my list due to the tranny issues. I have heard that some 04s with certain VIN numbers are okay? Is this correct? Also, was their a recall for 2004 TL's in regards to the transmission. If there was, would one of these cars be safe to purchase. (In regards to the tranny of course.) Thanks again guys.

 

Well, I called Acura and gave them my VIN# and I was told my VIN# didn't come up as one of the one's that had the faulty transmission. After 115K miles still no lock up but I continue to walk on egg shells and knock on as much wood as possible.

 

Would I purchase an '04 that is within the VIN number, why not? If it made it this far I'd assume the trans to be operating properly, but anticipating a purchase of any vehicle requires a lot of homework (research) and mechanical ability when doing an inspection.

From the 3G Garage:

U.S. Safety Recall: 2004 TL Automatic Transmission 2nd Gear Inspection:
Service Bulletin 04-020 NHTSA 04V176000
From VIN 19UUA66..4A000001 thru 19UUA66..4A014224
2004 TL's through VIN 4A014224

Summary:
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence:
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy:
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2004. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THE ACCORD AND ACURA MODELS WILL BEGIN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

 

when i was looking to buy my TL, i did the research on the '04 I was looking at. I found out that it was outside of the included VINs that feel under the transmission recall and everything else looked good, so i bought it.