Unfortunately for me I guess, my first Acura has been a major headache. I love the aggressive / edgy style, speed, solid feel. Issues have been as follows:

Scratches at purchase (bought at night and could not inspect properly). Dealer buffed but not perfect as it should be.

Front door speaker went out and replaced.

Clunk when starting the engine, often but not always.

Steering volume control changed radio station...took several dealer visits to duplicate and fix.

Rear seat belt tearing (hardly every used...I drive alone 95% of the time).

Clunk when shifting out of park.

Handbrake weak but getting better. When parked on an incline driveway...hard to shift out of 'park'. Afraid it will cause trans damage eventually.

Moonroof auto close works for split second then goes into auto reverse. Happens often but not always when partially opened.

Memory seat does not go back fully to memorized #1 setting. Happens only once in a while...can't duplicate at dealer. I have to manually slide it back all the way (which is where I set the memory). Stuck with the problem I guess...

I see quite a few of my issues have already been mentioned on posts here. Just wanted to add my comments.

If anyone has feedback or suggestions on any of these issues please let me know. I have an appt in a couple days with the dealer for the moonroof and seatbelt.

This may be my last ever Acura purchase.

Thanks!

 

ok...thanks

 

^ lol.... We dont always get responses or feedback when we want them. It seems like you have had an unfortunate TL. I havent had any of those issues, but I can see how that would deter someone from purchasing from that manufacturer again. Remember though, every car manufacturer has a few bad batches. I can assure that many have said the same about BMW, Mercedes, Porsche (I actually know a couple) and other luxury brands. I would fight the dealer on all this stuff and also include the fact that these things are taking time out of your life and schedule to fix a problem that their car is having. They should be able to compensate you in some way, either with a few cost free servicings or if there are enough complaints and issues possibly a new car...... dont count on that one though lol.

 

neilman, I am sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your 09 TL.

I am just wondering how many of these problems have been addressed by the dealer? How many were successfully resolved?

I don't know what state you are from, but have you checked to see if you may satisfy the criteria for your local Lemon Law? It seems that I am advocating everyone here to go with the Lemon Law, but that really is not my intention, it's just that it is very unreasonable to expect a new car to have so many problems. However, before you can do that, you really need to have allowed your dealer reasonable opportunities to fix them for you.

Good luck!

 

Neil,

On some items I can comment on:

"Scratches at purchase (bought at night and could not inspect properly). Dealer buffed but not perfect as it should be."

I had three spots, two were obvious on the back door. It was raining when I picked it up and all those droplets on the surfaces sure don't make it easier to spot chips. I just touched them up myself with touch-up paint. They are small though but I figured eventually the parking lots will give me the dings.

"Steering volume control changed radio station...took several dealer visits to duplicate and fix."

Heard of this in a post long long time ago. Don't remember the solution.

"Clunk when shifting out of park. "

This is normal. Mine does it too and there was a thread not long ago where others chimed in the same.

"Moonroof auto close works for split second then goes into auto reverse. Happens often but not always when partially opened."

This is probably a too sensitive safety where it things something is caught and reverses. The dealer should be able to adjust this but obviously if it's intermittent, it will be harder for them to experience it themselves.

Just hang in there and let know the outcomes. Hey, just think your car doesn't have to be sliced open like mine to fix seam rubbing (another thread)!!!!!

 

speakers - I had that same issue - see TSB in 4G garage
clunk on started - ABS pump self check? (see FAQ at acura.com)

 

Oh yeah...I forgot I just had the front passenger speaker replaced under warranty.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys...I have been to the dealer probably 10+ times since I bought the car June 09. The only two issues I have not mentioned are the clunking noise when starting and when shifting gears. Based on the posts here it appears those are normal anyway. Will keep you posted on the next dealer visit. It's just really frustrating...I have never been back to a dealer so many times after purchasing a new car in the past. Usually it's a couple / few visits.

 

http://www.acura.com/Faq.aspx

Why do I hear a groaning noise when I start my car and then leave for work in the morning?
On models with a compact Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) unit, the vehicle’s ABS emits a brief grunt or groan when it does a self-check. The self-check occurs when a vehicle is backed up or driven forward after being started. The groaning noise associated with the ABS self-check is a normal characteristic; it doesn’t mean there is a problem with the ABS.

 

Hmm, no problems with Grace so far. Other than the idiot who did a hit and run on her last week, she's good.

 

Ouch. I thought I was bad! The problems I've experienced so far (only one overlap with you):

- Scratches on the car. Namely the ridges on the quarter-panels: I just used some Meguiars ScratchX 2.0, followed up by some 3-step Mothers wax, and everything looks perfect.

- XM Satelite Radio Frequent Signal Drop: Dealer replaced the whole receiver AND gave me 6 months of free XM.

- Orange peel finish on rear window divider: Apparently they burnt the tape when tinting the window - they are ordering in the replacement now.

Commenting on your issues:

- Clunk when shifting out of park: Perfectly normal. I notice it more when I shift out of park cold, but that just might be me.

- Memory seat does not go back fully to memorized #1 setting. Happens only once in a while...can't duplicate at dealer. I have to manually slide it back all the way (which is where I set the memory). Are you sure you aren't shifting into drive while the seat is moving? Position memory only works in Park.

 

Actually it's a quick thud...almost like a pellet gunshot and it only happens once. Is that normal?

 

I press memory 1 before I get into the car while the engine is still off. I have been trying to test it lately and cannot duplicate it. It has happened times since I bought the car.

 

 

Picked up the car today from the dealer. They replaced the moonroof motor. Seems to be ok now but will continue to observe it. They first tried to just lubricate it, kept it overnight and found the problem was still there the next day. They installed my motor into another TL and the problem duplicated...so they figured it was the motor. Hopefully it works. What really pissed me off was the first time I showed it to the service advisor he tried to convince me that it was normal for the auto close not to work if the roof is only partially open.
Totally ridiculous...that's just like saying if my door window is partially open the auto close will not work.

I need to go back next week for the seat belt replacement when they get it in stock.

Suggest you all test your moonroofs to ensure proper function.

 

You need to find another dealer or another SA. That's ridiculous. Without even investigating first they blame it on the customer. Not typical of luxury brand service.

 

Moonroof problem is still there today...dealer says they will replace the entire system. Also found two long (about a foot each) scratches on the hood from the dealer visit that went into the clearcoat. What a mess! They had to buff them out...and I watched every step since they messed up buffing too much after I found scratches when I bought the car (left the area hazy/cloudy). My experience is getting worse, not better. I spoke to the service director and really gave him a piece of my mind. Both Acura and the dealer have failed me miserably. Each time we take our Lexus for service we get a letter asking if everything went well. Today was the first time I got a call from the dealer asking how the service went. This was my seventh time having the car worked on in over a year...and they finally bothered to check. No way is this a 'luxury' brand experience.

 

Neil,

Sorry to hear that. Is there another nearby dealer you can go to for service? Maybe give a different dealer a try?

 

wow dude...sorry to hear about your headaches. weird about all the complaints with scratches. i was pissed cuz the dealer was supposed to have mine washed and didnt ( wasnt filthy but come on, its a new car!) im on my fourth tl, and have been happy with all of them. hope your dealer makes it all right! good luck!

 

Dude you are having too many problems both with the car and the dealer. Call the acura corporate office and file a complaint. They will get involved to address your issues both with the car and the dopey dealership.

 

having dealt with multiple acura dealers in different states, i can assure you this is not typical of acura dealers....

i would let them know that i would be calling and dealing with acura corporate from now on...there is a local area rep for your area, that should beable to provide some kind of assistance with your experience...

if you havent already, put the name of your dealer so others will know!!

sorry for your experience, keep us up to date...

 

Thanks for the tips...I should get Acura corporate involved. The other Acura dealers are too far from me so no choice but to stick to this one. Glad to know you all are not having these types of issues...I really hope after the moonroof is finally fixed it will be smooth sailing for me. I don't want these guys touching my car anymore! Dealer is Acura of Pembroke Pines...in South Florida.

 

You should get calls/surveys after every visit from the dealer and/or Acura. The fact that you're not tells me this is a marginal dealer.

I've had great experience with my local dealer - one of the reasons I purchased another Acura.

Hope you can get it worked out. The car is too good to have your experience being fouled by these issues.

 

Neilman, my experience with other, older Acuras that I have is that if I set the seat all the way back, as you do, and try to memorize that position, the memory will not register it. I assume this is because the seat is beyond the maximum range of recordable positions. Moving the seat forward even very slightly enables the memory to record the position. I have not verified this behavior with my TL because I don't need to move the seat all the way back with this car, but perhaps this might explain your problem. Just a thought.

 

Yes, I noticed that too...there appears to be about 1/4 inch of the very end that is beyond the memory range. However, the times the problem has happened the seat has stopped about a full inch before the very end leaving me in an uncomfortable position and having to manually slide it back...but what you described is absolutely correct and I can live a 1/4 inch but not a full inch. I will continue to observe to see if it happens again. It happened 4 times already but have not been able to duplicate it since the last couple weeks. Thanks!

 

What you described above is exactly what I would expect...but for the first 6 visits over a year's time I got nothing from Acura or the dealer. Very surprising.

 

Worst thing on the list is probably torn seat belt, get that replaced.

 

Well...the situation just went from bad to terrible. I ended up in a yelling match with the GM named Seth. He called me to make me a trade offer...which in itself was a good intention although it means and additional $6k to $7k out of my pocket to get into a 2010. However he started the conversation with a bunch of lies essentially accusing me of being an unreasonable customer. The SA or service director must have been looking to cover their asses and lied to him...and he claimed I demanded a ZDX as a loaner, complained about the loaner being dirty, was not willing to leave my car overnight...all of it lies I suspect as a result of my request for a different service advisor. When I tried to explain my version...he just wouldn't let me talk. His points basically were:

Other customers return loaners without gas and there's nothing they can do about it, and that's how they give it out to the next customer (I complained that after waiting a half hour for the loaner to arrive they gave it to me with an empty tank).

He denied the scratches on the hood were caused by them...even though I signed the checklist when I turned the car in showing no issues with the paint.

I must have opted out of the surveys that is why I never got one (I checked my profile on myacura.com, and I haven't opted out of anything.

Here's the fun part...after we hung up he must have accidentally hit the dial button on his cell without knowing it and I picked up and heard him talking with the service director about how I was a pain in the ass and should shut the fuck up so they could help me. I called him back 5 times or so and he wouldn't pick up...and left a message saying his was the worst fucking dealership I had worked with and GM does better job than they do.

I called Acura and asked them to assign someone to be a liaison on the follow up work with the dealer and to address the crap service from the dealership. I also asked for a face to face meeting with the GM.

I could go on and on...but I think the above is enough to make the point and alert others about this dealership (Acura of Pembroke Pines in South Florida).

 

Oh...and I as noted on another post...I now have a steeting wheel rattle...from the little plastic cover close to the bottom of the wheel (6 o'clock position). It's there the entire time I am driving on the freeway and overall about 70% of the time.

 

You really need to go to a new dealer. You're not going to be treated well there, no matter how much ACS intervenes.

Looks like there are 2 others less than 20 miles away. What it will take you in additional inconvenience to get to them will be more than offset by less frustration, better service (I hope), etc.

 

I wish I could...but it's a total of 1.5 to 2 hours more of driving for me to do that. About a haldf hour extra each way to drop of and same to pick up.

Thanks

 

I live in the Keys so I have a long drive to any dealer no matter where I go. I purchased my 08 at Miami Acura and have been generally pleased with the treatment there. They are the only "precision" rated dealer in SoFLo. It might be worth the extra 30-45 minute drive to give them a try.

PS - you posted earlier about a "thunk" when you put the tranny in gear. My 08 does it as well (as did my 04 and as does my wifes 09 Ody). I wouldn't worry about it as it seems to be a normal thing for Honda tranny's.

 

OP, sorry to hear about all these problems.

 

What about your states lemon law? Contact a lemon law lawyer

 

Have had two door speakers changed on mine. Dealer says they've had issues with front door speakers

 

I have an appt. 9/21 to get the moonroof, steering rattle, and seat belt fixed. Let's see how it goes...it will be the 2nd attempt on the moonroof. If they try 3 times and it is not fixed then I will have a lemon law claim.

I escalated the problems with the GM to his boss at their corporate office. Turns out they also own the Lexus dealership where I am also a customer. I got an apology...and a commitment to quality service etc. going forward. Time will tell...

 

Ok...I've had the car since the last repair for several days.

Moonroof problem appears to be gone...will keep testing.

Steering rattle gone.

Service quality has improved 100%. I got repeated apologies for the prior problems and full commitment to making sure I am a satisfied customer going forward.

Also got a survey call the day after pick up.

At this point, after 15 months of problems...I just hope this thing drives without any more problems. The handbrake is still a little awkward...when I use it I hear a click as if it isn't engaging fully, but I don't notice any roll back. I may ask them to look at it at the next service visit.

Memory seat adjustment which does not go all the way back to where I set it...I guess I may have to just live with that one, although it is disappointing.

 

Glad that your issues are finally working themselves out to your satisfaction. Funny that I been to service so many times over the year and never once had a survey call/card. Weird!

 

The folllow up call seems to be something the dealer can control. I know I get a call after every visit to my dealer, even just for routine oil changes.

It does indicate that they care what their customers think. If you're never getting a follow up, could mean that the dealer doesn't care.

 

Well...a couple weeks ago the moonroof went into auto-reverse again after I tried to auto close it. It happened once...and I heard a cracking noise with it. A plastic piece on the right side facing front to back seems to have broken at the part where it is screwed into the railing. Dealer ordered the new part. This will be the 3rd repair on the moonroof. Dealer wants me to think this is unrelated to the previous issue of going into auto reverse when attempting to auto close...we'll see I guess...I believe if it happens one more time after this 3rd repair I can pursue a lemon law claim.