My TL is 4 months old. It has less than 3k miles on it. The car has rattles EVERYWHERE... the dash rattles, the glove box rattles, the speakers rattle, the door rattles (in several places) the windows rattle, the headliner rattles, and the seats rattle. I can hardly stand to drive it, because it makes me so mad.

some other issues ive had with the car are:

Mirrors dont fit the body properly.
Front bumper was never aligned correctly when it was put on at the factory.
The driver seat leather has fused together in 2 places. (the first place happened before 1500 miles, the second place came up after a weekend trip i took.

One of the biggest concerns i have is a loud niose i hear when i accelerate, its a terrible knocking noise like you hear in and old car or with bad gas. Ive been meticulous about taking care of the car, and only used Shell V-Power Gas since i bought it.

Another concern i have is a string vibration on a cold engine at 1500 rpms...if i closed my eyes while i was driving, i could easily imagine i was in a 4x4 Pickup truck the way the car vibrates.

I waited 2 weeks to take the car in for service, because the dealer said they didnt have a loaner car until then. i dropped it off on monday and the service advisor seemed like he could care less about anything i was telling him. when he was finished writing down my concerns, he asked if my ride was here to pick me up...

i live about 85 miles from the dealer, so its not very easy to get someone to drop me off. The loaner car he gave me was an 07 tsx. i went to get inside and it was absolutely FILTHY... i told him i didnt want it and got an 07 tl, with 100 miles on it. The loaner car (with 100 miles) was also dirty, the (non Navi) radio screens were all scratched up, the front bumper had already hit something and was dented in, the driver keyhole was gouged (deeply) in many places around the keyhole, and with 100 miles, the new 07 was in worse condition than my own car.

The 07 driving experience is COMPLETELY different than my 06...
The car feels as tight as a drum, and is literally soundproof, no matter what bumps im hitting, or what kind of surface im driving on.

ive never owned a car thats cost more than 1/3 the price of this one.

my other car, an 03 toyota echo, has 60k miles, has never ever been in for an adjustment or service, and doesnt have a SINGLE rattle even after 3 years.

My concern for my 06 is that all of the small problems (at 3k) are just an indication of some bigger problems, that may show up because of the build quality of this car.

so far, all ive heard from the dealer is that they were ordering new mirrors, and replacing the seat cover. he said the techs were out driving the car to see if they could hear any of the rattles.

I know many of the problems have been talked about before.. ive read about some of them, and im only venting i guess...

 

Here's a tip on how to deal with bad delearships. Cause a big scene inside the showroom area with the manager. Talk out loud in front of potential buyers on how much the service sucks. Thhey will most likely help you quickly and address all your concerns. Or, try another delearship.

 

The rattles are a charcteristic of the car, but the dealership should have corrected them for you. I would as call acura client car and tell the rep. about the service that you have recived at theis dealership. As for the leather fusing, did you put any sort of chemcials on it? my 04 has 26k aned the leather is still flawless (execpt for the wirnkles that occur naturally) Also BTW, what dealership is this and in which state.

 

I am sorry to hear that you have a very bad experience with your dealership services and all the problems with your TL.
If you put you foot down at the dealer and if they do not do anything for you, contact Acura Client Services like csmeance is saying and provide them with the issues you are facing with the dealer. Acura Client Services cares because it is people like us that can make them change.
As for built quality of the Acura can be improve and as everything else in thie world, but there is no vehicle out there at this price level and with all the options you are receiving.
This is just my 2cent.

Good Luck.

 

Yeah I feel you, my '05 TL has rattles that drive me crazy and I have had 2 window regulators go bad, with a host of other stuff that got fixed. Regardless of the severity of the problem, a trip to the dealer is a trip to the dealer. I have got better stuff to do on the weekends...

The dealer should help you out though, with warranty work you will more than likely get a survey which impacts the dealer... so if they jerk you around and don't fix the problems, tell the truth and ding them..

 

I also have minor rattles with my 06 TL. My 03 Maxima had a squeaky passenger seat initially, but it went away on its own after 3k miles. I hope this will happen to the TL, as I have been hearing that Acura dealerships are generally not very successful in curing rattle problems. Worse yet, once they start disassembling your car to try to fix the rattles, you may end up with an even more loosely assembled car that gives you bigger headaches. I am still debating if I should take my car in for rattles, since I only have 2k miles on it so far. Other than the rattles, the car is a pleasure to drive, particularly when you listen to your favorite DVD-A while cruising.

 

My 06 is solid.

 

mine 2. I can't hear anything.

 

Well, it's not that bad, but sounds like yours was 'built on a Friday.' Mine's been great with only minor issues resolved by the dealer.

Sounds like you will have to keep taking it in until they get it fixed right. When you go to pick it up, refuse to accept it back until they have resolved ALL the issues!

 

Netcub,

I got a Friday build '04 TL. It has more rattles than my '96 Grand Am with 160,000 miles did. Most of them seem to come and go. The windows creak, sunroof rattles, passenger seat back actually virbrates as its a little loose, glove box, center speaker, center console doors, something in the rear clunks all the time.

I know better than to let the dealer try to fix anything, they'll just make it worse and get their greasy hand prints all over.

I have mixed feelings about my TL (or raTL as I call it), definately a love/hate thing. Its certainly going to be my last Acura.

 

Most cars have Rattles. Especially with the tight tolerances these days.

 

No rattles on my '05

 

i have almost every rattle in the book as well, and it really pisses me off.

you all say to take it up with the dealership, but is it really their fault?

acura has been knowingly letting these cars from the factory with rattle problems and it is up to the consumer to bring the car back for warranty issues if they seem fit. how many people just live with it?

i agree with you and your take on the dealer, and i feel acura's overall quality with my 06 TL is crap. like you said, this will prbably be my last acura and i have owned them since 99.

 

noooo! Acura is a good brand. It just this designed/built american version from the Acura brand. My theory is if this TL was built in Japan the over all quality would be better. I Love my 06 TL. Had a few rattles but all fixed now. And a few quality issues like windsheild quality. I never saw so many rock chips in my life. I belive no mater what car company you pick you will always run into the same problems. Either its BMW, GMC, to Toyota. Sometimes you have an well built car and sometimes not. I guess its the so called "built on a Friday" concept.

Netcub- I feel your pain. The only way is to let the dealrship try to fix your car since you already put 3kmi on it. I dont belive you can call it an leamon anymore. Keep pluging away and dont let the dealership tell you otherwise. Your right, your the one hearing all the rattles and noticing the problems day-to-day. If that dont help get ahold of Acura crop. and file an complanint on this dealership. Maybe Acura crop. should compensate you or get someone fired or out of bussiness.

 

My car was in 9 times for roof rattles in the 1st 15 months.
And now, at age 2½ years / 21,000 miles, the roof is starting to rattle again.
That's always been my #1 complaint !

Additionally, after taking apart the area behind the glovebox to replace the cabin filter, I have no doubt whatsoever Acura cut corners on assembly design to save money.

BTW, I've discovered that when I use Shell V-Power, my highway mileage drops 2-3 MPG. On a trip from NYC to Syracuse last weekend, I only got 24-25 on the trip up using V-Power, and 27-28 on the way back using Sunoco Ultra 93....and on the way back, I had a lot more stuff loaded in the trunk and on the back seat !
.
.
.

 

From your avatar I would've guessed it'd be the other way around.

 

It was more like....... :thief:

 

it really has nothing to do with how the car was built but how it was designed.

I have taken off my mirrors, all vents, speaker grills, rear deck, rear seats, center console, lower driver side kick panel, glove box and I did not find one rattle that's caused by poor assembly. All of my rattles were caused by no/insufficient padding/cushion between two hard materials.

I blame TL's rattles on the designers/engineers, not the assembly workers.

 

I assume you added padding/cushion between two hard materials.
Did this fix rattles in your TL?
Be honest please

 

did you ever catch me lie?

fixed rattles/squeaks
center speakers
instrument clusters
passenger air vent
driver/passenger power seat switches
driver/passenger door map pockets
sunroof/spoiler
headliner
driver side rear view mirror.
center brake light

reduced rattles/squeaks
b-pillar
driver side vent
driver side window sash
center console

unknown rattles (I have yet to track it down)
passenger seat



I have done all that and have not find ONE rattle that is caused by sloppy assembly job. Most of the time there were no padding/cushions. Other times there were just not enough padding/cushion at the source of the rattle.

 

As far as rattles... how many folks drive in complete silence anyway? I can't hear anything over the radio even at low volume. I know there's the characteristic trunk rattle with any kind of stereo bass and something quietly sticking at the headliner, but other than that, my 06 TL is 100% rock solid.

Yikes!

The finance manager told me that if I was unhappy with the fit and finish or if there were ANY rattles for the first 12Mo/12K miles, they would fix them with "no questions asked."

So in January I'm having my dealer (Acura 101 West in Calabasas, CA) replace the front seat covers which look like they have premature wear. Other than that, this car freakin' rocks and performs better each day I drive it!

 

cool down. I asked only because I am about to take whole TL apart (cabin, dashboard, center console [where Navi is] etc) and add some padding.
I am sick with all small rattles that come from all directions.
I wanted the answer from someone like you who did this already

 

Ditto.

Only problem was crimped heater valve adjustment cable (no heat) when I first got it. Dealer pulled the dash and had it fixed in a week. Thought I may have had a "friday car", but nothing since (knock on wood).

I believe different people have different tolerances for rattles. All my experience has been work trucks, fox body Mustangs, etc - now THOSE machines rattle in time, as expected!

I'll try to pay attention to backround noises when driving my TL, and see if there really are rattles that I may just subconsciously tune out.

Good luck to all of you with the rattle demon!

 

I know its a lot to ask, but could you detail (hopefully you have pictures) of all those fixes?

my car is really pissing me off - its embarrassing to drive people around with all the rattles and the super harsh ride

 

tell me what's rattling and I'll let you know how to fix it.

 

Okay, so I lied... a little! With high volume bass, there's a metal-on-metal rattle from the trunk. In my 2003 Accord, it was the two metal cross struts vibrating against metal, but since the trunk of the TL is lined wall-to-wall, I can't really see without tearing out the lining.

Any ideas?

 

you picked the only rattle that I don't have... my rear deck is quiet

 

Strange how some TLs rattle and some do not. Rattles would drive me insane if I had them. I have an 06 TL with 12k miles and it is the solidest most quiet car I have ever owned. i have never been to the dealer since the day it left the showroom and the only thing I have done is gotten the oil changed.

 

I've got a '04 TL and so far it's got almost 0 rattles. Every now and then, on really bad roads, especially when the car is cold, I might hear a creak or rattle now and then but it usually goes away when the car warms up. My car was built on a Tuesday and is a great car. I've been really happy with it so far. The only problem is the battery dies when the car sits for a few weeks. There are just too many electric items drawing power from the battery when the car is sitting for long periods. The battery has been tested several times and it's OK.

 

I have an 05 with 23,000 on the clock with no rattles. However I am a tech at an Acura dealership in Houston, and I've fixed and repair a lot of the concerns that has been addressed. I have taken my car apart many times and still no rattles.

 

Got a rattler! Lol! I cant put my music above 9/10 on the volume scale without the rear deck going nuts in the sub area and the corners. I have the bass and sub set directly on the center of the scale....Just too lazy to take it in (also afraid... chicago dealers are dee dee dee ) Compared to the two american cars my parents have owned (in the 80's) these rattles complaints I have are extremely minor to me, and I believe (I hope) I can fix them myself! OH yea...forgot to mention --- '06 TL with 3500 miles/ 10 months old

 

Sorry to disagree with you here. But yes how they build it is the most important point.

I say this because i worked at a Auto Plant and i know how the managment in a hurry to just bump up their production numbers completely lost sight of quality, so they can make a quick BONUS!!!!. Finally the quality hit them hard and the Japanese took couple models back to Japan.

If the weld joints and tolerances are not checked properly, then we all have rattles. Add to that nut and bolt issues and trim. I've heard issues with manufacturing where couple robotic welders werent working. So instead of a 32 point spot weld you get only say 27, and then the body gets to painting department, now its hard to see where it got welded or not. Now when this gets to Trim(where they put the nice looking stuff on your car inside and out), if couple people there are pissed at management and take out the frustration at the vehicle in the line.... then.... the customer like us suffers. So now you are wondering, how it got out of quality check ? Because they spend only an average of 5-10 minutes per car, once it rolls out of the assembly line. So they make one hasty quick round on the driving course and if they dont hear anything, then the car is good. But unfortunately, the car holds good for a couple thousand miles, before it shows up its true color.

You can design the most structurally mind blowing car in the world, but if it was made by workers or management who dont give a damn about quality, then the car is shoddy, and thats what plagues domestic car makers , as you know from the news.

 

+1 .... All about Taguchi!

 

I said I have taken interior parts off and did not see any assembly defects. You say you disagree and complains about managements and disgruntled factory worker...

???

 

Well, in that case you have to ask, if it was a design problem,how come every car that came out doesnt have the same problem ?

 

Because some people are just more sensitive to rattles than others.

Unfortunately I am sensitive with rattles. I can hear rattles and squeaks when my occupants can't. They can hear the rattles only after I pointed out to them.

It might not bother most much, but it's driving me insane.