Now, I'm not usually the dude you will see coming on boards bashing the car that I currently own (actually lease).. But enough is enough.. I signed a lease back in august for a 05' TL non-navi.. Recently, I've noticed a rattle at 1500 rpm, I've had an EL-42 blow out on me, my passenger window screechs when bringing it up, the transmission bogs all the time, and I'm noticing that the dash is beginning to fade... Seriously what the fuck? Isn't the TL a $30k car? Am I not paying a 430 dollar a month lease on this car? The car has 9k on it right now, and I'm signed for a 48k lease.. I obviously don't want to lease a car that has problems so what can I do to get out of this mess... I've already heard the horror stories about dealing with Acura Customer Service, and I'm not prepared to hear their bullshit.. Is there anything solid (articles etc) I can bring with me when I go into complain? The only way I will stay with this deal is if they offer me an 06'... Otherwise, I'm going back to Audi.... Any help would be appreciated...

 

friend of mine has an audi a4 2005

dash is okay but the chrome around the windows is fading

a milky effect

audi doesn't care

said something she did to it (nothing)

search the audi site and u can see other sim posts

at least my 2004 tl looks as new

i apply 303 to the dash every other week or so

looks fine

 

I owned an S4 prior to buying the TL.. The chrome around the windows is a problem in all Audis... In the 100k of owning the S4 I didn't have half the problems that I've had in the first 10k of my TL.. Its really a damn shame how poorly they made the TL... I was tricked...

 

I feel your pain, I really do. All I can say is good luck.

 

I read some of your posts.. How did you get the BBB to make them buy it back? Did you just bring your car in to Acura a lot? If I had the time, I would be down there, but I am on the road a lot... You'd think when you buy a car in this price range, the company would realize that time is money.. And customers paying this much for a car shouldn't have to deal with shit like this... When the hell is Acura going to get their head out of their ass and recall the TLs to fix these damn problems....

 

The problems with my car were so egregious and the response was such that there were little other options left.

 

Im in the same boat as you, nothing but continual problems and little help from ACS.

 

Redsoxguy, just make sure you have everything documented, every visit, every call, every conversation, take notes and keep them together with name, date and time. Worked for me.

 

Umm...dumb question....have you taken the car in for service at all? Tires blow on everything except runflats. Your car does have a 50k warranty but you have to at least make an effort to let them know there is a problem. I don't mean to bash but you don't mention trying to get anything fixed.

The transmission and the dash may be issues but you have to find out. The only way to keep it perfect is to garage it for the term of your lease. The way it works in the real world is that nothing is perfect and there will always be a few things amiss. If you expect anything or anyone to be and stay perfect you will be a very unhappy person imho.

 

I hear ya brotha. Horrible QC on the TL. I got rid of mine in less than a year.

 

Our car has been great so far.
I would not blame the car for the tire problem, tires dont just blow out,
you have to hit something.
i once had a piece of metal on the hiway get under one tire and get spit out into the other side front tire and blow it out at 60 mph.
Pot luck i actualy saw the piece of metal.
It put a big hole in the sidewall.

The stock tires do suck big time though.

The other problems are very minor, and the dealer should be able to fix them.
I dont care about dash fade, although i have no signs of it yet.

My last car (2003 VW passat) was something i had to get rid of as it was always
broke, as in wont run.
That car was the most unreliable car I ever owned, worse than old chryslers and various type used cars I had up till that time.
Even the 1990 Jaguar XJ6 never had many problems and never left me
on the side of the road, all the way to 150,000 miles and 13 years of age.

Being as inexpensive as the TL is, I dont expect things to hold up as well as some other cars, cheap leather, thin paint, plastic parts that decompose over time,
its what you get with Japanese cars.

Brett

 

Sorry to hear about your issues. Any tire can blow out, I've had two do that in the last few months. I agree with the above statements that you need to go to the dealer to deal with the issues and see where it goes. If your dealer is properly responsive, hopefully you can enjoy your car still. If not, take it from there.

 

I had a dash fade issue until treated it with 303, problem gone... still have the stock tires, not the best, replacing them soon. had buzzes/rattles fixed at about 6mo of age, they have not returned. Dealership has treated me very well. Nothing is perfect. Still love my TL

 

I treat my dash with 303 and it still fades. Sad.

The worst part for me is that Acura around here has zero respect. ACS is just as bad.

I filed a BBB report today even though I think I'm premature for it.

 

Welll I guess I should be on my way to VEGAS and I better stop and buy some lottery tickets on the way cuz I am the luckiest guy on the planet.
My 04 TL has been nothing but a dream.

I have not had one problem with it.
I have only taken to the dealer for regular maintenance and
I had a light on the dash light up once, but it was because I didn't put the gas cap on right. gotta give it 3 clicks.

I regret to hear of all the problems that all of have had.
But if you really feel the car is faulty you gaotta keep taking it back and documenting everything so you can build a case.

I have said it before... even the best car makers will have an off day.

Good luck!

 

Where are you located?

 

You're right.

I have been documenting everything including letters and phone calls with ACS. This situation sucks because I partially feel bad putting this much time into it, but the fact remains the car is 6 months ago, cost me 40k, and is not acting like it should.
It could be much worse, I could be dropping transmissions, etc., but the issues are not getting fixed and I'm not being taken care of.
I must have been spoiled by Infiniti service, that's all I can guess.

 

Ah, glad to hear everything is normal in the Acura universe...

Good luck, tho.

 

For the guys with fading dashes....

What color interier????

 

All dashes are black.....

I've got Parch..

 

wow, these made in America TLs are not good from what you guys are saying! I guess I'll have to drive my first generation TL dead and forget about getting the 3G TLs. I'm dissapointed! LEXUS here I come!!!

 

Accords are also built in Ohio like the TL, and in my experience, they hold up a lot better. They're not as cool as the TL, or as good looking and powerful, but even the latest JD Power gives Honda a slightly higher score than Acura. Go figure...

 

HAHAH YES! Precisely what Id hoped people would realize. I eny that you realized this BEFORE you bought, I only wish I knew the same info earlier this year!

 

HAHAH YES! Precisely what Id hoped people would realize. I envy that you realized this BEFORE you bought, I only wish I knew the same info earlier this year!

 

Honestly, trading my '02 Audi A4 for an '04 TL was probably one of the five biggest mistakes of my entire life. I only kept it for four months, trading it for a deeply-discounted Jetta VR6 "bail-out" car. I lost far more money on the TL than I lost on the Jetta. I can never recoup my losses, but it's great to be back in an '05.5 A4.

There is something different about German cars, though admittedly not everyone can perceive it. They put their money into different parts of the car.

The TL's a great value in other areas. You can't get that kind of power and technlogy without paying a serious premium on an Audi or BMW. But IMO, the fine people in this forum are really the best thing about the Acura TL. Next to that, I have to admit I'll take the German car every time.

 

Elmer,

OK. We've heard your rants in many duplicate threads that you've started in this forum. We get your message. I too have been turned off by ACS's stonewalling and uncaring attitude.

Rather than continue to rant, you could be a lot more helpful to this board by producing a post detailing the exact steps you took to get an arbitrator to review your case. Name names: who was the Acura rep, who was the arbitrator/arbitration company? What was the BBB case file #? Is it logged online? Etc., ect.....

Your success in gaining arbitration could be the first step in "reforming" ACS. If other members of this board with chronic problems are able to gain arbitration, then maybe ACS will wake up and smell the coffe. Help us out and tell us all the details.

 

Well I do not think people come on here to bash the car. People who have had problems that are considered "normal" by acura or problems that cannot be fixed are not happy with that aspect of the car. They expect more from acura aside from a level of performance. As for the remedies to the a bad or problem automobile... well it can be time consuming, frustrating, and expensive.

Acura price point is an area of concern, while they provide more features than most any other car for a price, there seems to be many more issues with this car. e.g., brembo brakes that are now offered on the car. Are these cheaper versions of the ones you can buy and add later? In the 2g models it was rare that anyone had a brake issue around warped rotors and so forth. Leads me to believe that they are putting cheaper products on the car to meet the price point.

As for people who rant on here... While some die hard acura fans may not like what they are saying. I am sure they are not doing it to piss anyone off. If you have been burnt with having to deal with an inferior product that you know cannot be fixed, you are not thrilled that you have to live with it or constantly document what what wrong and try to make your case.

Sure consumers might rate it as a best bet... but with all mags they rarely keep the car long enough to experience issues.

 

Me thinks the veil to be a servant to those with Acura CS issues in very thin and transparent. The rants prove only to be self serving and a means for affirmation from others who may also be experiencing issues. Although I would never wish anyone problems with their vehicle and the struggle to rectify them, it is clear the matter here is not to assist others with information and guidance but only to affirm a self centered crusade and an ill excused means to rub others noses in it. This behavior does not promote educational decision making. It is, instead a means to self promote and attract others who behave accordingly. Saving others is the excuse? I don't buy it, not by this demonstrative behavior.

Some people thrive in misery. Misery loves company. The root may be a means to draw much needed attention. I agree there are issues Acura could better address. I empathize that some have been deflected by ACS. But that happens in life, and no one here promotes Acura as an entity of devine purpose. They are a car company looking to make a buck. We as consumers are subject to 'buyer beware'. No car, machine, refrigerator or mass produced product is going to make my life bliss and trouble free...no mater WHAT they advertise. I already now that.

The bottom line is I believe the car has issues. I believe it has not been addressed appropriately by ACS. But I give more credit to someone who can rise above it and contribute more than this pollution on an enthusiasts board. State you case. Demonstrate how you are better than you have been treated, now get on with life. Just for the sake of how this moaning continues I find little credibility in this crusade. If there is such passion and righteous indignation that a car company is not stepping up to the plate (could you imagine!!??), then I think this energy is better routed to more worthy causes in the world.

This celebration that others may also be victims to ACS nauseates me. The car is being returned. How long must the venom flow? My personal plea to those also unfortuante to have car issues: please be persistant, responsible, and considerate of how you address your issue and how you share it with others. Misery may love company, but personally I do not believe you should expect the world miserate with you.

 

Thank you Mike

 

Less rant and more rhetoric.

 

I've had a lemon case pending for over a year.....I just had my inspection, still waiting. It sucks, I can't even trade it, or sell it, because of the case. I want that 300c srt-8, that thing is sweet!

 

Dude, I don't know if this is aimed at me or what.. But seriously, I only made the post to see if others are having similiar problems and what they are doing to get it resolved... I have just read a lot of horror stories about what goes on with ACS, and really I don't got the time for the games... I'd rather go in with my problems and maybe a little evidence just so they know I'm not going to be pushed around.. In no way did I mean to come off as bashing the car, or did I mean to rub anyones noses in the problems that most of us are experiencing... Its just frustrating.. I fell in love with car the first time I saw it on the road... When I test drove it it was awesome, and for the first couple of months it was great... But when a car has problems at 9k miles and its a $34k car, it tends to put a bad taste in your mouth... I guess I felt it would be safe to rant here, because there are others who have experienced the same bullshit that I have... Eh... My apologies if my orignal post offended anyone...

 

Hey Redsox,

Was my post directed at you? Not at all.

In fact you DESERVE usable information on how to address your concerns. I believe you have every opportunity to express your concerns and ask for advice. I believe that is a function of the forum. I do not believe getting a 'yahoo, another unhappy camper' reply is fair to your cause, or those members tired of rantings. My post was directed at the pattern some exhibit of celebrating your misfortune and not offering constructive advice.

I certainly empathize with your problems and truly hope you are able to resolve them either satisfactorily by Acura, or by parting with your TL. Since I have not had these issues, I cannot offer advice as to how to arbitrate them. But those who have should offer information on that process rather than attaching you into their bitter, unhappy club.

I believe you will get advice and good information from some members, and hope it helps resolve your TL concerns.

Cheers.

 

I was thinking about what you wrote, and actually I am not sorry... This is a message board, you're going to have to deal with people complaining if they are having issues.. If you don't like hearing negative stories about the TL, skip the post.. You could have just closed the window, but instead you wrote a novel on how you think its selfish for people to complain on an 'enthusiasts board'. You mean to tell me that if your TL did have problems before 10k that you wouldn't be pissed about it? You may have all the money and time in the world, but when I pay $34k for a CAR I expect there to minimal problems with it... You are older than me, and you've probably had experience in the new car industry... I'm not, I'm fresh out of college, and this is the first car I bought with my own money... I'm not asking for any of you to play a violin for me, I'm just asking for your advice... Thank you to those of you that have done so already, I'm going in on tuesday...

 

Are you getting enjoyment out of others experiencing the same problems as you? Because really its getting lame.. How about you discuss the specifics of what happened if you want to be a help... Your retort isn't amusing....

 

Red SOx, this was in regards to the previous poster saying that he was forgoing the 3rd gen TL as a repacement of his 1st gen and going with Lexus instead. NOT YOUR SITUATION!
So back the fuck off I already wished you luck or did you forget that??

 

I can read.... But who gives a shit... All you are doing is rubbing it in other peoples faces... "OMG Yes!! :gheyfight: I got someone else not to buy the TL.." Grow up dude... I made this thread to ask those of you who have had similiar experiences for help.. You have provided nothing useful, just celebration that others are experiencing the same thing... If you want a place to bash the TL, go over to the infinty boards or something....

 

I am officially now a RedSox fan!

 

Doesnt seem like you can read very well, I never celebrated others problems only that a guy realized the plethora of them in the cars and his decision to look elsewhere. If you really wanted my help you could have PMed me and I would have given you the nittly details not fit for public exposure. But you can say what you wish, you dont deserve my help anyway.
But I still wish you the best of luck!

 

The only reason I brought it up was because I read a prior post of yours, and it just seemed that way to me...