What are the known problems with the 3rd Gen TL and TL-S? I am considering buying a 06-08 TL or 07-08 TL Type S. I know the 2nd gen had mass tranny failures. I read that the 3rd gen tranny is an improved version of the 2nd gen tranny is this true? Are their any other major issues?

 

oh nothing too major, probably a few recalls that can cause your car on fire while you are driving

right now i'm having issues with my pleather on my driver door side.

go into problem/fixes and you'll find all the answers you want

 

What do you mean pleather? I thought the TL had full leather and only the TSX used vinyl...

I already went to problems and fixes but that's everyone issues. I was just looking for for someone to sum up and major issues that most people encounter.

 

3rd gen TSB's:

J-016: TSB
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154245

Keep in mind that the vast majority apply to a relatively narrow VIN Range.

 

Thanks, I hadn't thought about checking the TSB's. But what about problems that affect the vast majority of VINs. Are there any issues that are wide spread?

 

Rattles.

Otherwise, I don't think there is much.

Cracked Dash is something that might be becoming a wide spread problem, but too early to tell.

 

tranny!!!!

 

Engine ping at WOT especially during warmer weather.

 

^ ... curious how your experience with a trans under 30k going will turnout to be

 

Just the two recalls-- wiper motor and power steering hose.

The complaints and posts about rattles, leather, tranny and pinging problems are here on the enthusiast site; the issues probably don't make a blip on the radar screen as "problems" with Consumer Reports, JD Power, etc. as such issues show up in relatively few cars.

I'm happy with my '05, which doesn't exhibit those chronic issues.

 

I'm having my tranny replaced at 32K, and I'm not a spirited driver for more than 10 years, and Acura is surprised since they've never seen 07 TL Type-S with this problem...

BTW, free of charge

 

I am goign tomorrow to dealer.. mine better be free of charge.. 07 with 29k miles.

Tranny Boiled, spilled all the ATF all over the place.

 

Hmm... I'm seeing the word tranny a little to much in this thread for my liking.

 

Consumer reports didn't list a a problem with the 2nd gen TL tranny until acura was into the 3rd gen.

 

go for a 6speed if tranny failure scares you :twocents:

 

I wouldn't want stick in my commuting car. To much city driving. But tranny failures to scare me...

 

better get a regular honda then- with the more reliable trans units

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/please-help-car-sluggish-flies-597082/

This thread should prove to be some good reading material for you. This is probably the most significant problem you will see.

 

Rattles
When it happens, it really kills my excitement to drive it

 

Same here, I HATE rattles. I have fixed so many rattles, but I have this one really bad one coming from wayyy deep inside the dash somewhere on the passenger side and when I drive its LOUD. I have torn stuff apart looking for it but I can't find the bastard. Yesterday I drove to a wedding about an hour each way and I literally wanted to take a baseball bat to my freakin dash. It was driving me nuts and yeah like you said, it kills my joy of driving.

 

damn woofer rattles. drives you insanee.

 

rattles.....power steering.....bushings.....motor n tranny mounts.......gearboxes n trannys.....pleather all over the car...and a lil bit of leather.....to me the valves knocking pisses me off more than anything.....speakers suck......shitty 17 inch rims the first few years they made the 3rd gen..... on the auto version brakes suck.....the manual eats up pads pretty fast.......etc etc

 

So a lot of you guys have sluggish cars? I thought the TL was going to be much more reliable than my RL. Similar but less stuff to go wrong. I guess I was wrong...

 

You're only going to hear from people who have had issues with their car when you ask a loaded question like that. They are in the minority of TL & TL-S owners. Newer Acuras are generally among the most reliable cars on the road.

I had my battery replaced under warranty when it died prematurely. I bought my TL-S CPO with 45k on the clock and have had no issues other than that that would be linked to reliability or build quality.

 

the view through the windshield doesn't let u see everything. shitty at u turns. mismatched bumpers.

 

It did for me too (08Type S 6MT). I had the dealer work on the issue twice soon after got the car (under warranty). 2nd time I gave them the TSB. Finally got it fixed. May hear slight rattle from woofer with really strong bass, but is minor compared to originally.

Read TSB-04043 (rear shelf rattles)
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-3g-garage-j-016-a-613659/

 

I have a 2008 Type S 6MT - purchased new. I think the list in threads above, including a review of TSB probably says it.

My personal experience over the past year and 15K:
1. 6MT torque steer issue (eg highway speed in 5th or 6th, slight pedal will pull the car to the right). Had the dealer look at this in first few months and said it is a "characteristic". My guess is an issue for Type S cars due to limited slip setup and so the shorter axle on one side. This is annoying, but I have come to accept.
2. 6MT 3rd gear issue - This is the BIGGEST single annoyance I have with this car! Blocks you from shifting into gear. There is a TSB on this, and a long thread of whether to put GM snychromesh fluid or allow them to rip open your tranny and replace the 3rd gear set (as per TSB). I am going to address this issue finally when get to my next oil change. But if you opt for the auto, then there are threads on 3rd gear issue too - latest I saw suggest that the line pressure sensors should be replaced (https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...&highlight=TSB)
3. Drive memory seat fail. There is a TSB on this. Mine was intermittely failing after 5 months. Dealer said that sometimes the (auto adjusting) mirror sticks and this could be issue. They could not reproduce on several attempts but said a I had a battery with weak cell so they replaced (no evidence they did and it was not on my invoice - basically just BSing me)
4. Center console rattle - was missing rubber stoppers from factory. Dealer fixed n/c in first month.
5. Rattle from Moonroof - there is a TSB on this. But my issues was (not originally) due to TSB. Turns out I had a loose screw rolling in the moonroof channel. Dealer did not find - they said it needed adjusting. I found when got home from first oil service appt. Next time back, I showed them. So they tore apart my headliner and moonroof to confirm nothing missing. NOW I have a rattle from the work they did - now something does need to be adjusted. Checking to see if TSB fix will help.
6. Steering wheel buttons / controls - mine failed in first 2 weeks. They had to replace the (as the dealer called it) "clock spring" in the steering wheel as all the related speed, radio controls, etc started to work wrong (eg vol up changed the channel) and then stopped working.
7. Rear seat belts - not fully retract. Still an issue after dealer replaced the pass rear.
8. Rear shelf rattle - fixed after had dealer work on this 2 times. TSB on this (as in my post above).
9. Driver rear taillight - had defects in the plastic (bubbles) - Dealer replaced under warranty.
10. MID trip computer - I have noticed that sometimes mine zeros out the mph and mpg, but distance and time are not affected. There are some discussions on the forum about this, but I have no answer yet.
11. Fit / finish - there were a few other fit/finish issues noticed when took delivery (eg black adhesive mark inside front window in driver view) that were addressed, and one that resolved on it's own (trunk smelled like dead mouse - none found, and likely was chemicals evap from rubber / painted parts in trunk - spare, etc.) Kids thought this was the "new car" smell and they said would rather not have new car - haha.

So it is a love/hate relationship with the car (eg love 4dr 6MT sporty looking car that is fun to drive if I can get it in 3rd gear). But in general, I am VERY disappointed with initial vehicle quality (for my first Acura - esp after all the research I did before buying). Only hope that long-term quality will be better (at least the resale value should be good if I finally give up).

Good luck with your purchase.