Ive been reading that the earlier 04 tl has some transmission problems like the other transmissions in the honda/acura v6 lineup a few years back. Is there a way to check using the vin# to see which part of production it was made in?

If I'm test driving the 04, is there anything I should pay attention to when driving it?

Thanks in advance

 

I don't remember the exact Vin# but if the vehicles vin ends in less than 14000 or so, check to ensure the tranny oil jet mod/campaign was performed. That was the only issue with the ATs (overall).

What to look for during a test drive: Rattles if they bother you....

My 04 has only been to the shop for a seat/leather issue.

Good luck

 

There do seem to be some problems with the 3rd Gen trannys, other then the oil jet issue which was resolved with the recall. I have a VERY late build 04 that was not effected by the recall, pretty much an 05. I am getting a new tranny within the month due to a shutter between 3rd and 4th gears, which i am learning is becoming very common with 3rd gen's. Mostly 04's and 05's as they are getting higher in Milage. It is a totally free replacement under warranty but i also have the 100k warranty that i bought with my car... GLAD i did...just for piece of mind.
I have been told that people are having good luck for the most part with the replacement tranny's...from what people have told me and actually my dealer as well, is that the new ones are better then the 04's...If you look around on here you will find a handful of people that had this exact same problem with the shutter and all got new tranny's.
I will let the board know how the new tranny is when i get it...prolly in a few weeks or so...whenever i get back up there....

 

oh should also note....KNOCK on wood, other then the new tranny that i am getting for Free....the car has been GREAT.

 

call acura care with the VIN and they can tell you everything about its history
1-800-382-2238 x5

Read gen2 thread on trans failure for all symptoms
Basically- drive at 35-45mph light throttle, and stomp on throttle, if- as it downshift into 3rd-2nd it goes thud thud thud thunk slip- like a regular trans with a bad clutch would-
thats a warning sign

 

This is not how to duplicate the shudder problem that got my tranny replaced. In order to duplicate the shudder problem I had in my 3rd gen TL, the car had to be driven like an old lady was driving it. Very light on the throttle so you could feel every shift. then just before it would shift in to 4th it would shudder.

 

Please do a search before posting. Alot of useful info is in the 3G Garage.

See: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834

about halfway down the page. Thanks.