Bitium

I guess you will get a letter if affected.

American Honda Expands Voluntary Transmission Recall to Certain Honda and Acura Automobiles

TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2004 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that it will expand its existing voluntary recall of light truck models for a potential transmission defect to include certain Honda and Acura passenger cars. The voluntary action involves approximately 499,000 Honda and Acura passenger vehicles with V6 engines and 5-speed automatic transmissions. Affected models include certain 2003 and early 2004 model Accord V6 sedans and coupes, 2000-2003 and early 2004 Acura TL sedans, and 2001-2003 Acura CL coupes.

The company has found only one confirmed instance of a transmission failure related to this defect in its passenger cars, with no accidents or injuries. “We are acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure that this doesn’t become an issue for our customers,’” said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the transmission’s secondary shaft second gear that can occur under certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible locking of the vehicle’s transmission, creating a potential safety hazard.

Lore

WOW. That's unexpected! I wonder what they mean by "early" 2004 Acura TL sedans.

This also expands the original scope of the 2nd gen TL recall. I almost bought one of those guys, too.

cM3go

thank goodness for 6MT

BarryH

Unexpected or disappointing?

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Where did you get this information?

Tread

I am glad I dumped my early build, could not take the crappy issues falling apart, and vibrations and lack of intrest from Acura, now the tranny is junk.

could not be happier

6mtV6

I thought Honda would be smart enough to redesign the whole transmission for the 04 TL. Now I might have to trade in for a 6mt.

Ron A

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news...ao&refer=japan :search:

1SICKLEX

Good but sad.

TBone2004

CRAP!!!! I am on phone with Acura...I am affected!!!! I am trying to find out what early build cutoff is. But I can tell you mine is 13XXX and I AM affected. Sorry to ruin anyones upcoming weekend.

1SICKLEX

Honda Expands U.S. Auto Recall for Transmission Flaw (Update2)

June 30 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co. is widening a recall of vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to 1.14 million units, among its largest, covering Accord and Acura cars that have the same transmission fault that triggered a light-truck recall this year.

Japan's third-largest automaker is voluntarily recalling 536,950 vehicles, with V-6 engines and 5-speed automatic transmissions, in addition to those already announced in April. The company is also recalling 79,531 units in Japan to fix faulty transmissions and fuel tanks, starting tomorrow.

The inspections and repairs will cost Honda about $63 million, in addition to the $153 million being spent on the light-truck portion of the recall, spokesman Andy Boyd said. In Japan, Honda is spending about $8.5 million on its recall.

Honda was runner-up to Toyota Motor Corp. in an annual reliability study of three-year-old cars and trucks by J.D. Power & Associates in the U.S. Honda, Toyota and Nissan Motor Co., which benefit from consumer perceptions that they build better vehicles, increased their U.S. market share to 24.1 percent last year from 22.2 percent, according to Autodata Corp.

Honda's North American recall includes 2003- and 2004-model Accords, 2000- through early 2004-model Acura TL sedans, and 2001- through 2003-model Acura CLs, Boyd said. In April, the company recalled 600,000 U.S. and Canadian Odyssey minivans, and Pilot and Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles with the same transmission.

Shares of Honda, which ranks fifth in U.S. sales, fell as much as 1.1 percent to 5,230 yen in Tokyo and were traded at 5,250 yen as of 2:52 p.m.

Japanese Recall

The Japanese recall covers 68,000 vehicles with gearbox defects, including Odyssey and Lagreat minivans. The Tokyo-based carmaker will also take back 11,531 Inspire sedans with faulty fuel pumps, spokesman Kazuhiro Suda said.

The problem results from insufficient lubrication of a transmission shaft that can overheat, potentially damaging gear teeth or causing the gears to break, Honda said in a statement.

The U.S. unit of Tokyo-based Honda has had only one reported incident of a transmission failing in the car models recalled and no reported accidents or injuries, Boyd said.

``We are acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure that this doesn't become an issue for our customers,'' Tom Elliot, Honda's U.S. executive vice president, said in a statement. Customers will be notified by letter starting mid-July.

In most cases, the gears will be inspected and the flow of transmission fluid will be modified, Honda said. If damage from insufficient lubrication is found, the transmission will be replaced, the company said. Recall repairs typically are paid for out of reserves set aside for that purpose.

The Accord is Honda's best-selling model, with annual sales in the U.S. and Canada exceeding 400,000.

6mtV6

Did Acura call you up directly?
I'm kinda worried now. My is 39XXX.
Let us know which TLs are affected. Why are you being sorry for. It's not your fault. It's Honda's.

rescueswimmer

I dont remember that guys name but he was banned for stating that the Acura transmission had problems and we said he was full of $hit. Sorry. Well I hope you guys get it taken care of. If you are affected what type of warranty are they going to offer you on the rebuilt tranny that is going to be put in your NEW car. Make sure you point that out when your trying to get a extended warranty on it if they try to pull that crap that it only gets the original factory warranty. Good luck

SporTrac

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosins...tos-199589.htm

1SICKLEX

Seems there is a history of tranny re-call problems. Here is for the RL and 1st gen TL some years ago.

American Honda Motor Company

Models:

Acura 3.5RL Years: 1996-1999
Acura 3.2TL Years: 1996-1998

Number Involved: 96,617
Dates of Manufacture: December 1995 - April 1998
Defect: A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential. The vehicle could lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting the transmission into the Park position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.
Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned bolt. Owner notification began Aug. 30, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V227]

http://www.recall-warnings.com/nhtsa...nt-99V227.html

TBone2004

They did not give me a range of VIN's. Mine IS affected though and I am 13XXX - November build. Mailings are coming out in Mid-July. Sounds like they are staggering them to avoid pileups at dealers. No reported problems in US of failure due to this. Higher mileage trans are more at risk. They will be installing an "oil-jet kit" to get the oil necessary to the Counter shaft - second gear area (sorry - they were talking fast and I am not a tranny expert) Not enough oil/lube is getting in there and the heat cannot get disipated so the second gear is getting hot and brittle and could chip a tooth. Take about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to repair.

This sucks. I shoulda ordered I shoulda ordered - why oh why did I take a on the lot car!!!! CRAP.

Good luck men.

TBone2004

Not rebuilds. No need for new or rebuilt tranny

need4spd

The inspection is easy, for the MDX, they remove the speed sensor, and take a photo of the second gear to make sure it is getting lubrication, if it is, they install an extra lubrication jet to ensure it continues to get oil in this area of the tranny.

If it is not getting lubrication, then the tranny is replaced (rare).

I would think this early in the game, the 04 TL's will get this extra lube jet, takes less than 1.5 hours.

This is huge for the Acura dealers as it also covers the 2000-2003 TL's (2nd gen) and 2001-2003 CL's.

They will be very busy at an hour plus per car!



Sorry T-Bone, we posted about the same time.

TBone2004

No this is good info - I did not know my 2002 TL is affected too - are you sure?

CRAP CRAP!! No, !@#%$^&@#$@#%#$!!!!! That feels better than just "Crap".

rescueswimmer

Since it sounds like a simple problem of lube and not a failure. Ignore the above post about a rebuilt tranny. Unless they deem your tranny is worn and needs to be replaced.

1SICKLEX

No one recalls b/c the car is missing tranny fluid. It's much bigger than that and Honda (which is expected from any business) is still covering the problem up.

yzfrebel

It looks like that SilverBulletCLS guy wasn't just crying wolf. Some people may owe him an apology

TBone2004

Yeah, the sky is falling too - c'mon Chicken Little - why you starting problems? Get some facts to prove your theory.

Tread

Tbone,

From Bloomberg's article:

Honda's North American recall includes 2003- and 2004-model Accords, 2000- through early 2004-model Acura TL sedans, and 2001- through 2003-model Acura CLs, Boyd said. In April, the company recalled 600,000 U.S. and Canadian Odyssey minivans, and Pilot and Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles with the same transmission.


I wonder if the oil jet now comes standard from the factory on later builds?

Nodoze2004

The 6MT just went up in value!! :P

TBone2004

Little bastard knew all along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TBone2004

thanks man, I just went back and reread it - looking out for my own arse I guess, cause my wife drives the '02 !! Ha, Ha. So I just saw 04 and ran for the phone!

thanks.

1SICKLEX

Taken from here:
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85736

Once again, they dodge the real problem -- it's the 3rd gear clutchpack shattering because of rough clutch disk surface over time. This is just a bullshit recall to fuck with us. Notice how it doesn't even say how the recall will be handled, like what's involved in doing it, such as visual inspection, replacement, or whatever.

Though many of you hear don't like to hear the truth or proof. You like living in your own worlds where there are no issues or problems.

rescueswimmer

If your new to the 04tl tranny "As the tires turn saga."

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ilverBulletCLS

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ilverBulletCLS

Ron A

This is taken from the link I gave, which gives the full article:

The U.S. unit of Tokyo-based Honda has had only one reported incident of a transmission failing in the car models recalled and no reported accidents or injuries, Boyd said.

``We are acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure that this doesn't become an issue for our customers,'' Tom Elliot, Honda's U.S. executive vice president, said in a statement. Customers will be notified by letter starting mid-July.

In most cases, the gears will be inspected and the flow of transmission fluid will be modified, Honda said. If damage from insufficient lubrication is found, the transmission will be replaced, the company said. Recall repairs typically are paid for out of reserves set aside for that purpose.

Lore

Who was the person who posted the pictures of the blue bolts indicating a remanufactured transmission? I looked under the hood recently and noticed several blue bolts near where the transmission is. I know I didn't get my transmission replaced, so why the blue bolts?

I called ACS and was told that my VIN is not under the transmission recall campaign (21xxx).

pianoman41

Here's an excerpt from the TSB to the Sales/Service Managers:

So it looks like if the last six numbers of your VIN are 014224 or less your '04 TL is affected.

EZZ

Makes you wonder about Honda's ability to make a reliable auto transmission. They've had a history with building crappy autos for the v6 models. I remember when the accord went through transmission problems and many were disappointed. Maybe they should have outsourced it.

Ron A

Thank you very much for the good information. It will make a lot of people happy and some sad and mad.

sharabi75

That doesn't mean they wont expand the recall later as they did for the 2nd gen. TL. What the heck is wrong with these guys at honda. Can't they get a tranny to work properly without problems.

bfechter

Thank God I got a 6MT

Pug

Not just V6, they pair crappy trannies with the 4 bangers too. 1998 was an infamously bad year for Honda. The AT went on my Accord LX while I was driving - all of a sudden it was like I shifted to N when I was still in drive - it can be a real safety issue. I love Honda, but my decision to get my TL with the MT was partly driven by their rep with the ATs.

dseag2

What do you mean, "us"? You don't own an Acura TL, so I don't know why you feel compelled to make that statement.

I've kept quiet on this forum as I've watched you jump at every chance to spread negativity, but now I feel compelled to speak up. Since I owned two Lexuses prior to my TL, I remember you quite well from the ClubLexus forums and the way you trashed any brand that wasn't Lexus. In that forum, when I mentioned I was considering a G35 Coupe you were very forthcoming in your remarks about the "POS interior". In this forum, you'd probably be the first to defend it.

In trying to figure out why you feel so compelled to stir up S**T, I can only guess it's because you still haven't been able to replace the GS4 that you totalled and are now driving a well-worn ES300. Knowing that, I would much rather hear from someone who actually owns the car than some wannabe armchair quarterback.

I still have no regrets that I traded in my GS300 for an Acura TL... recall or no recall... and there is nothing you can say that can change that. Go spread your trash somewhere else, "1WreckedLex".

Pug

Don't feed the trolls !

dcarlinf1

The hell with SilverBulletCLS.