Hi All,
I just signed up on this site to get some help from all you guys. I am planning to buy 05 Auto. transmission TL and want to know about the age old "tranny" problems. I have been trying to read through all the posts to find out what the probelms are but cant get a clear cut answer so let me ask again.

I know 2000-2004 had major transmission probelms and the 2nd-3rd gear used to fail and lot of people went through lot of trannies. What about the 2004, 2005 models? Does the new model have the same problems? I am reading more about Manual transmission having the tranny problem than the Auto. tranny? Has the Auto. having the tranny failures? Has anything improved in 2005 year?

I love the car but I dont want to buy if it has the same tranny problem that 2000-2004 year had?


Thanks All!!!!!

 

05 TL w/ no tranny problems whatsoever.

 

My 2004 (first year of the new model - later VIN in production run) got a new tranny at 49,000 miles. Under warranty, but it doesn't make me feel much better after their history with the old TL/CL issues.

 

My 04 had the tranny replaced at 55k and again at 59k. The first tranny shuddered between 2nd and 3rd and the second one whined really bad. I do think that I am in the minority. I honestly believe that the transmisson problems are a thing of the past.

 

My 06 had to have the tranny replaced becuase it wouldn't go in reverse after 300 miles. 9,000 miles later the car drives like a dream...

 

the 04 was still riding on the 00-03 design
By 05 the replacement units, and assumably the new car units, were using a redesigned oil passage and different trans case, and internal oil spray bar and that has helped.
Some- (a few in relation to the numer of gen 2 replacements) of the post 2/05 (last know trans revision) replacement units have failed- there is a thread in gen 2 for it
but in general, they have worked things out. Look how many new cars use Tiptronic!
Just make sure to get an extended powertrain warranty and IF you have problem - you get FREE new transmission and loaner car. If its going to go- its between 49 and 80 k usually- sometimes right at the limit of warranty for some.

My 01 got the replacement trans unit in 11/06 and getting smoother every day.
Cars are just parts put together very quickly. Things happen- warranty fixes, NBD!

 

I have a 2004 with no problems. the transsmission issues for every TL were limited to the 2nd Gen tl year 1999-2003. The 3rd Gen TL got a new revised transsmision that has had very very few issues. Only a few out of the many TL's on the road have gotten replacements. It is pretty reliable and my 04 has had no issues related tothe tranny what-so-ever.