This thread is being made to specifically note any issues that we high mileage automatics have come across. Alot of us have the 2004 automatics and since we purchased the first year for a new generation TL, more than likely it will be us that will be experiencing any mechanical/engine issues first provided regular maintenance is performed.

IMO, I also think this thread will useful to those of us who plan on taking the J32 to 80-100k miles. So this thread will be good to reference once your car starts hitting a certain mileage and you'll know what to expect in the future.

The issues listed should be outside of the more commonly known issues such as "rattles, headliner, dashboard, butt print" blah blah blah.

I'm talking major issues that could easily put a big dent in your pocket if you're car is no longer under warranty.

 

Symptom: on a cold start, engine noise very "whiny". You turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, noise gets louder. Turn steering wheel all the way to the right, noise still gets louder. Noise disappears after 5-10 mins of driving.

Issue: Failed steering pump

Notes: expect pump to go out around 48k-50k'ish mileage mark

Replacement: under warranty - free.
under extended warranty - $50 deductible
no warranty - approx $530 for parts and labor.

 

My extended warranty has a $0 deductible.

 

I don't have an 04, nor am I even close to that many miles yet, but just wanted to say that this thread is a good idea.

 

Well, I have 38k right now. does that count?
The only major thing that would've costed me was a rattle that turned out to be the steering wheel airbag. They had to replace the entire unit for $550 plus labor, it wasn't malfunctioning, just really annoying.

 

Well, I do know that those with the early build 2004 models had 5AT units that were affected by the oil jet recall and the ext. warranty. Those transmissions are the ones that are prone to failure, similar to the 2G ones. The revised ones are better, but they turn the fluid brown quite quickly, not sure of the reason behind that. (Guessing higher operating temps)

 

Driver airbag replaced under warranty at 30k. It was making a very annoying rattleing noise. Other than that the car has been problem free.

 

Well my TL has had quite a few things replaced under warranty... most of them had TSB's issued by Acura...

- Memory Seat Module replaced twice
- Drivers Door Panels replaced
- Drivers Seat Leather replaced
- Transmission recall - Oil Jet added
- Rattling Drivers Sun Visor replaced
- HFL Unit replaced
- Subfarme Kit Added for Droning
- Rear Bumper repainted
- Headliner replaced
- Multiplex (Fuse Box) Unit replaced