Been scouring this site for a central location for 2nd Gen known issues I thought I remember seeing one but cannot find it again. What I was able to retain was there was:

1. MAIN is transmissions failure (not an IF but a WHEN)
2. paint issues on some cars (clearcoat failure)
3. subframe rust and corrosion (mostly passenger side)
4. dash trim curling (ive seen on a couple of TL's)
5. door panel warping?

Is there anything else? Thanks in advance

 

6.- Driver seat heat element failure (All models)
7.- Ignition switch (Mostly 99-00s)
8.- Fuel pressure regulator (99-01s)
9.- Door panel hand rest un-glues from the black plastic trim (All models)
10.- HID ballast failure (Mostly because of Condensation in Headlight)


I think that pretty much sums it all..
Myself have been affected by: 1, 4, 6, 9.

 

Today reminded me why dealers earned the reps they have

 

Got problem # 7 and cannot find a solution on a forum(

 

^ Replace it.. Honda did a recall if yours have never been replaced they could give you a hand with the price or do it for free in goodwill.

 

11. Warped front rotors (fairly common on '99-'03s according to an Acura tech I've spoken too)
12. Clogged PCV passages (Honda V6 problem)
13. Engine mount failure
14. Hood switch for the alarm system
15. Auto dimming rear view mirror (Known to pop and leak the chemicals all over the interior)

 

If i got it wright, to replace the lock, i need to change the keys on both of the doors and the trunk, is it?

 

The majority of the ignition switch problems come from the electrical portion of the ignition switch. It's usually about $90 or so and the only place you can usually find them is at the Honda dealer.

 

11.- Warped rotors is fairly common in almost any car with a heavy front bias, literally all Hondas..

12.- That is a common maintenance issue like adjusting valves, not failure.

13.- All hydro mounts last very little compared to solid mounts, not a failure.

14.- Again very little issues confirmed, I am still using my stock switch.

15.- Now we are talking that is a confirmed flaw since it was recalled.

 

Im pretty sure, that the problem is not the switch, but the key. I dont have ignition switch problems, like stalling on the highway

 

^ The problem is in fact the Electrical Portion of the Switch.. That was a recalled piece so the TSB have all the details.. Is not your key.

Open a Thread if you think you have a problem with your key only, But the Ignition Issues are because of the Ignition Switch in the Key Area.

 

the ignition switch electrical BACK portion- sold by itself at many places,
is what you need to cure #7

If you want a good list of things that go wrong- simply scroll down this thread section and the problems and fixes area
Everything you want to know is between those two!

Start a thread with YOUR symptoms and we can offer more help

 

Clock light.

 

Thanks all these responses help a lot. My 6 hour trip to view what looked like a prisitne example and confirmed by the dealer as such after all my interrogation was a complete waste of time.

I should have employed my thought on dealers...how do you know when a dealer is lying...their lips are moving. I wouldnt have been so disappointed.

I should have trusted my gut based on what I saw in low res pics but looks like I maintain my hunt for TL-S

NOTE: Thanks for others stepping in and helpin clean this thread I didnt want this to be others diagnosis thread but a central repository of common things which I couldnt find in 1 place. If you have issues associated with any of these on your car please create your own thread and keep this clean and on point.

 

I would add coil packs and I suppose maybe body rust (at least in northern states) as other common items

 

you went to a dealer for a traded in TL-s? thats crazy talk!
Have you looked in our Member cars for sale section?
post a wanted ad there if you have specific desires on color

Be aware any gen2 TL is likely to soon have bad trans or need 105kmile service,
either is $1500 worth of parts and labor!
As long as you figure that expense into negotiations = assume the steering rack is bad from no fluid changes, rear brake calipers seized for same reason, it needs everything serviced etc = lots of diy or big bill at the shop

Few people take excellent care of a TL - especially in the last few years of ownership before dumping it on a dealer in trade,,because it wouldnt sell on the open market!!

 

I'm surprised I haven't seen these:

16: EGR Port/passage clogs (more common for those who use

 

Stupid forum cut off my reply, here is the full version:

I'm surprised I haven't seen these:

16: EGR Port/passage clogs (more common for those who use

 

17. Lock actuator failure.

 

lol what I was TRYING to say earlier is that the EGR clogging happens for those who use less than 91 octane. Also leaking PS pumps are supposedly a problem.

 

I passed for a number of reasons most because of what you listed above AND the lack of records. I have not pursued black market as yet as I am reevaluating if i even want a second gen when I have a 3rd. Might shift to an RL instead. Lots of bang for the buck and none of these issues noted.

Thanks all I will keep this list in my hip pocket if I continue my TL quest.

 

given the choice an RL is way better than a gen2TL with high miles and years on it.
sad to say our baby did not grow up the way we had hoped
If you can deal with payments or a large cash purchase- get a newer better car!

 

I agree that it's sad our TLs were just too much were just too much of a headache for most people to keep driving them. They're getting fairly uncommon on the road these days - I get somewhat excited when I see other people driving them and wish I could catch them and see what their story is with their TL.

But on the 'newer better car' idea, it's more than likely that all of us have our TLs paid for now. Which means, despite any problems we're having with them, or may have with them, our TLs are taking very good care of us. Despite the extremely costly trans rebuild for me, the total cost of the TL for me over the 9 years I've owned it has been FAR less than payments on new(er) cars.

 

For me the decision was more of a practical one. I didnt want to buy a car with all these unknown knowns. I have seen a bunch of TL's on road by me and thats what I started looking for to add to my 3rd gen. I came real close to buying a real low mileage one in Cali with 59k and tons of maintenance done even mounts and T-Belt but cost was way high and they wouldnt negotiate plus shipping to east cost made it not practical and had beginnings of clear failure plus unknown on tranny failure. All others I am seeing for sale have been riden hard and put away wet and way too risky for my taste. So I started looking for other options and its amazing how much the RL's have depreciated 2005-2008 and how much car your getting for the money and how few of them are on the road too.

 

Hello, folks!
Looks like i got the same ignition switch problem on my 1999 CL 2.3L - audio doesn't turns on when you turn on the engine, and you have to turn key for a little bit in both directions to find position that makes audio works.
Dealer sad, that my car allready had recall job done long time ago. So i had to fix it by myself...
Can you please tell me, is it the wright switch for me?
Honda Acura Prelude CL Steering Column Ignition Switch 35130 S0A 003 | eBay

 

Resurrecting an old thread of mine as I am looking at an 03 with approx 120k miles. HUGE amount of records of work done and regular oil changes but main concern looks to be no mention of transmission work or fix performed. Is this just a ticking time bomb or are 03's less likely to fail on 2G's?

Thanks in advance

 

The '03 TL is just as susceptible to the transmission problem. I would be a bit concerned about not seeing receipts for at least trans fluid drains & fills. Checking the VIN with Acura should tell you if any transmission recall work was ever done, but even that doesn't guarantee longevity.

There have been some extremely lucky owners who got well upwards of 100K miles out of these transmissions, but there have also been many who didn't even get close.

FWIW, the transmission on my late production '03 TL-S died at 85K miles.

 

Thanks its about 121k miles and nothing is shown about any trans service, tons of other fluid changes and other maintenance work showing it was very well maintained but nothing pertaining to transmission.

 

Did you check to see if the transmission has blue bolts on it? That means its a post 2005 case and they usually last longer than original units.

 

Its out of state and havent seen it yet.

Did get some pics and its got rust in wheel well behind rear door. Looks pretty invasive. Not sure I want to pursue it now given thats the rust I can see Im concerned about underbody components now too. Sad as it is one of the best documents TLS I have come across every single service done to the car and on time. Dam rust belt!

 

You will find plenty more TLS's in the area. They pop up daily in my area and many are in great shape but most have a bad transmission.