Class action lawsuit against Acura - HFL Battery drain

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-16-2017, 04:29 PM
  #41  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
that explain it, the fail rate is around 50k miles - 70k miles, if you manage to get beyond that mileage then I would say you got lucky, I got my TL-S at 59k miles and the unit fail around 91k miles and the car currently has 111k miles. I do use HFL in all 3 cars as my phone always link to them.
Old 08-16-2017, 05:02 PM
  #42  
Racer
iTrader: (2)
 
champaned_out's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Socal LA
Age: 37
Posts: 295
Received 52 Likes on 44 Posts
my 05 TL's HFL unit has been going strong as far as i know.. im the 2nd owner, my brother in law was the original owner and he never mentioned the unit failing.. now with 145k miles my HFL unit still works perfectly fine
Old 08-16-2017, 07:49 PM
  #43  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
Originally Posted by champaned_out
my 05 TL's HFL unit has been going strong as far as i know.. im the 2nd owner, my brother in law was the original owner and he never mentioned the unit failing.. now with 145k miles my HFL unit still works perfectly fine
NO WAY an OG unit lasted that long, this because during 2004-2008 the electronic industry turn to new lead aka "eco friendly lead" for soldering joints.
This also happened to the PS3 YLOD (Yellow Light of Death) and Xbox 360 RROD (Red Ring of Death).

The lead will form micro cracks over time and cause the circuit to be short out, most people doing "baking" in the oven or blasted it with heat gun this method know as "Reflow" in the electronic world however this is temp fix since they joint will form micro crack again... The other method is fare better and its know as "Reball" where they actually remove the old material and re soldering the joints and you need a machine to perform this fix (odin Tech in FL does perform this procedure for $60). However we have several members here complain the unit work great about a year before it need replacement again. When I got the HFL replacement the part actually has different rev on the sticker (hopefully they fix the issue with these that built after 2014).
Old 08-16-2017, 08:53 PM
  #44  
3rd Gear
 
JayP.WDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Age: 28
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is there anyway to sign up if youre in canada cause i had the same issue
Old 08-16-2017, 08:54 PM
  #45  
Senior Moderator
 
thoiboi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal, CA
Posts: 47,291
Received 8,741 Likes on 6,743 Posts
Move down south for a few months
The following users liked this post:
wusty23jd (09-22-2017)
Old 08-16-2017, 08:58 PM
  #46  
3rd Gear
 
JayP.WDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Age: 28
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Might not be worth the hassle imo
Old 08-16-2017, 09:28 PM
  #47  
Senior Moderator
 
thoiboi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal, CA
Posts: 47,291
Received 8,741 Likes on 6,743 Posts
Class action lawsuit against Acura - HFL Battery drain-photo956.jpg
The following users liked this post:
wusty23jd (09-22-2017)
Old 08-17-2017, 08:29 AM
  #48  
Drifting
 
Jackass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: KCMO Burbs
Age: 48
Posts: 2,515
Received 601 Likes on 449 Posts
Originally Posted by truonghthe
that explain it, the fail rate is around 50k miles - 70k miles, if you manage to get beyond that mileage then I would say you got lucky, I got my TL-S at 59k miles and the unit fail around 91k miles and the car currently has 111k miles. I do use HFL in all 3 cars as my phone always link to them.
2005 made it to 155k before I removed it based on seeing "BOOTING UP" once and confirmed a warm spot on the windshield. Never killed my battery, but didn't want to risk my wife being stranded with a dead battery.
Old 08-17-2017, 09:49 AM
  #49  
Instructor
 
Glorygang600's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 222
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I have an 05 with about 150k Handsfree Link still working as good as its should, I didnt start using it till about 145k LOL but anyways if i do fill this out how would It benefit me? just a new handsfree link? compensation$$$?
Old 08-17-2017, 09:59 AM
  #50  
Advanced
iTrader: (2)
 
TL-Syndicate23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: MIA
Posts: 96
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Added myself to the list! Thanks OP!
Old 08-17-2017, 12:47 PM
  #51  
Racer
iTrader: (1)
 
ryanfett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Age: 33
Posts: 373
Received 109 Likes on 90 Posts
Thanks! Just added myself to the list as well. I've had the HFL battery drain on both my TL's
Old 08-17-2017, 01:45 PM
  #52  
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
 
NBP04TL4ME's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes on 1,028 Posts
Originally Posted by truonghthe
that explain it, the fail rate is around 50k miles - 70k miles, if you manage to get beyond that mileage then I would say you got lucky, I got my TL-S at 59k miles and the unit fail around 91k miles and the car currently has 111k miles. I do use HFL in all 3 cars as my phone always link to them.
I'm curious if there is truly any correlation between HFL unit failure and mileage or age. I'm absolutely not looking to hijack this thread, but would appreciate it if folks could post age and mileage of failure of their HFL units and if replaced how is it still working or did it fail again?
Old 08-17-2017, 02:06 PM
  #53  
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
 
horseshoez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Maryland
Age: 68
Posts: 7,879
Received 2,020 Likes on 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by NBP04TL4ME
I'm curious if there is truly any correlation between HFL unit failure and mileage or age. I'm absolutely not looking to hijack this thread, but would appreciate it if folks could post age and mileage of failure of their HFL units and if replaced how is it still working or did it fail again?
Given this type of failure has been fairly well documented as a board/component interface failure (i.e. the flow soldering joints), I'd be more inclined to believe this is a heat related issue versus age and/or mileage. Said another way, I'm wondering if northern cars have a lower incidence of failure compared to southern cars.

Last edited by horseshoez; 08-17-2017 at 02:08 PM.
Old 08-17-2017, 02:07 PM
  #54  
Racer
 
314_04TL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: St Louis, Missouri
Age: 42
Posts: 486
Received 65 Likes on 59 Posts
I thought I was going through this exact problem with my old battery so I switched to an AGM before it went bad. No problems to this point. Is this jut for 2005 on up?
Old 08-17-2017, 02:11 PM
  #55  
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
 
NBP04TL4ME's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes on 1,028 Posts
Originally Posted by horseshoez
Given this type of failure has been fairly well documented as a board/component interface failure (i.e. the flow soldering joints), I'd be more inclined to believe this is a heat related issue versus age and/or mileage. Said another way, I'm wondering if northern cars have a lower incidence of failure compared to southern cars.
Always the engineer - You may be right and hoping so.
The following users liked this post:
horseshoez (08-17-2017)
Old 08-17-2017, 04:08 PM
  #56  
Safety Car
iTrader: (8)
 
BreezyTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SE Wisco
Posts: 4,799
Received 1,037 Likes on 770 Posts
Originally Posted by horseshoez
Given this type of failure has been fairly well documented as a board/component interface failure (i.e. the flow soldering joints), I'd be more inclined to believe this is a heat related issue versus age and/or mileage. Said another way, I'm wondering if northern cars have a lower incidence of failure compared to southern cars.
That is a valid point. My 05 was still working when I parted it out. Had 195k on the clock and I believe it spent its life in the northern states. Not sure exactly where my TL-S has been whoring around before me, other than virginia, but it doesn't work...
Old 08-17-2017, 05:38 PM
  #57  
Cruisin'
 
odmoht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Age: 34
Posts: 19
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hmm..im at 125k miles, 2nd owner, haven't had any problems with my HFL unit but my navi has gone out and my CD is stuck in the DVD Unit in the trunk... -______-
Old 08-17-2017, 08:58 PM
  #58  
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
 
guitarplayer16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 10,766
Received 2,316 Likes on 1,690 Posts
My HFL unit from my 04 TL occasionally didn't work, maybe 5 times it didn't work out of the 7 years I've owned it. I'd say it worked 98% of the time, which is actually very impressive. I sent it in early this year and had it "fixed" by a service provided by someone and now it doesn't work at all so I lost big time.

I'm from Canada also so I'm looking for a way to sign.
Old 08-17-2017, 11:42 PM
  #59  
Intermediate
 
pierceman90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Dover DE
Posts: 40
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
175k on my 06MT and no HFL problems.
Old 08-18-2017, 06:22 AM
  #60  
Instructor
 
jon2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Thorold, ON
Posts: 208
Received 28 Likes on 25 Posts
Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
My HFL unit from my 04 TL occasionally didn't work, maybe 5 times it didn't work out of the 7 years I've owned it. I'd say it worked 98% of the time, which is actually very impressive. I sent it in early this year and had it "fixed" by a service provided by someone and now it doesn't work at all so I lost big time.

I'm from Canada also so I'm looking for a way to sign.
I emailed them the other day when I couldn't sign up from Canada and got this as a reply:


Jon,

Thank you for contacting us. We will not be filing a class action on this issue in Canada.

Thanks,

CP

Christopher Pitoun Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP Direct: (213) 330-7148
Old 08-18-2017, 07:06 AM
  #61  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
I'll chime in,

My 2004 TL has suffered the hand free link unit failure. I believe almost 2 years ago. This is when Acura decided to revise the unit and the cost of these units went from low $170ish to $600-$700. I searched around for possibly a used one in great condition, but was nervous it was going to happen again. I thought about it and pulled the trigger. I ordered a new blue tooth unit from oemacuraparts and got an email stating the part was changed and the cost is $600ish compared to the posted price of $170ish. So, I placed the order. I went through 3x yellow top batteries due to bad cells from the constant jump starting and the drain killing them over night. Those yellow tops aren't cheap either.. I did fill out the form, not expecting much to happen but I'm happy there is a movement for this issue. I also wish there was one for the dashboard as I paid a decent coin for the replacement.
Old 08-18-2017, 08:47 AM
  #62  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
I'll chime in,

My 2004 TL has suffered the hand free link unit failure. I believe almost 2 years ago. This is when Acura decided to revise the unit and the cost of these units went from low $170ish to $600-$700. I searched around for possibly a used one in great condition, but was nervous it was going to happen again. I thought about it and pulled the trigger. I ordered a new blue tooth unit from oemacuraparts and got an email stating the part was changed and the cost is $600ish compared to the posted price of $170ish. So, I placed the order. I went through 3x yellow top batteries due to bad cells from the constant jump starting and the drain killing them over night. Those yellow tops aren't cheap either.. I did fill out the form, not expecting much to happen but I'm happy there is a movement for this issue. I also wish there was one for the dashboard as I paid a decent coin for the replacement.
$600-$700? I paid $256 for the unit and $189 for core charge which was refunded when I ship them the old unit. Part was ordered from oemacuraparts.com around Feb 2017.
Old 08-18-2017, 08:48 AM
  #63  
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
 
horseshoez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Maryland
Age: 68
Posts: 7,879
Received 2,020 Likes on 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by truonghthe
$600-$700? I paid $256 for the unit and $189 for core charge which was refunded when I ship them the old unit. Part was ordered from oemacuraparts.com around Feb 2017.
I was going to say the same thing, I just checked yesterday and both of the Acura online sites showed new (or possibly remanufactured) HFL units for well under $300.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:22 AM
  #64  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
Originally Posted by truonghthe
$600-$700? I paid $256 for the unit and $189 for core charge which was refunded when I ship them the old unit. Part was ordered from oemacuraparts.com around Feb 2017.
I order this about 2 years ago. I did check the prices today and have gone down significantly. I have the receipt in the glove box of the TL. I'll need to pull it out and see the exact price paid, but I do remember it being that high. I doubt it matters, but they did ask if I had navigation and I do.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:23 AM
  #65  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
Originally Posted by NBP04TL4ME
I'm curious if there is truly any correlation between HFL unit failure and mileage or age. I'm absolutely not looking to hijack this thread, but would appreciate it if folks could post age and mileage of failure of their HFL units and if replaced how is it still working or did it fail again?
That could be true but mine TL originate from state CT since new then didn't get down to Houston until late 2013 where the unit poop on me a year later, before that no message in the HFL infamous message "booting up" but before that the car ate 1 battery every 2 years. When I bought the car its already on the 3rd battery.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:27 AM
  #66  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
I found the email, here it is.


On Jul 1, 2014, at 6:54 AM, OEM Acura Parts <service@oemacuraparts.com> wrote:

> Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, there has been a part number change, and part number 39770-SEP-A01ZA is no longer available. The new part number, 04397-SEP-305ZA / SET HFT *NH528L*, which is specified for navigation equipped 2004 TL, is priced at 498.66. Please advise.
>
> - Tim @ OEMAcuraParts

With tax and shipping (No core return) I paid a little over $500.00


Old part number, it shows this:
https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-pa...ZyPWxheWVyXzE2
$169.49

New part number, it shows this:
https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-pa...-04397sep305za
$583.91

Last edited by 04WDPSeDaN; 08-18-2017 at 09:31 AM.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:43 AM
  #67  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
its possible they update the 04-06 unit since the 07-08 TL wiring is different than earlier model. I my case I paid $232 for the Type S with no core charge around 2015. If that the case I wonder if you can use a 07-08 unit in the 04-06.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:57 AM
  #68  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
Originally Posted by truonghthe
its possible they update the 04-06 unit since the 07-08 TL wiring is different than earlier model. I my case I paid $232 for the Type S with no core charge around 2015. If that the case I wonder if you can use a 07-08 unit in the 04-06.
From what I remember, the 2004 bluetooth unit is different from the 2005-06 models and also different from the 07-08 models. The unit is also more expensive due to having navigation. If I recall, if you look at the 2004 vs 05+, the connectors are different which is why I can only use 2004 and it has to be compatible with the navigation unit. I wasn't kidding on the price, I wouldn't forget such a horrific cost for a crappy unit.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:58 AM
  #69  
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
 
horseshoez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Maryland
Age: 68
Posts: 7,879
Received 2,020 Likes on 1,417 Posts
Hmmm, I didn't think there was a difference between the NAV and the non-NAV HFL units for the 2004-2006 cars.
Old 08-18-2017, 09:58 AM
  #70  
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
 
horseshoez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Maryland
Age: 68
Posts: 7,879
Received 2,020 Likes on 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
From what I remember, the 2004 bluetooth unit is different from the 2005-06 models and also different from the 07-08 models. The unit is also more expensive due to having navigation. If I recall, if you look at the 2004 vs 05+, the connectors are different which is why I can only use 2004 and it has to be compatible with the navigation unit. I wasn't kidding on the price, I wouldn't forget such a horrific cost for a crappy unit.
Ahhh, you answered my question before I even asked it.
Old 08-18-2017, 10:19 AM
  #71  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
I searched through Acurazine, found 2005-06 vs 07-08 blue tooth units and pictures of the 2004 blue tooth unit.

2005 blue tooth unit vs 2008 bluet ooth unit. Both units support navigation. Look at the connector slot, it's different.





2004 blue tooth unit, doesn't say if it's compatible with navigation.



The following users liked this post:
EvilVirus (09-28-2017)
Old 08-18-2017, 10:49 AM
  #72  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,964
Received 1,692 Likes on 1,307 Posts
ouch, at least the 07-08 one goes for cheap unlike my RL.
Old 08-18-2017, 10:41 PM
  #73  
Instructor
 
Cheval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 118
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Well, my 2008 TL /w NAV has 29k miles and the HFL failed early in the 2010s so mine sure didn't fail because of mileage. It only had mayb e 15,000 miles when it failed. I hope the alternator doesn't fry. :-/
Old 08-20-2017, 03:54 PM
  #74  
Drifting
 
Jackass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: KCMO Burbs
Age: 48
Posts: 2,515
Received 601 Likes on 449 Posts
To note...my 2005 non-NAV has the green connector like the '04 picture with the dual boards.
Old 08-20-2017, 04:11 PM
  #75  
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
 
guitarplayer16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 10,766
Received 2,316 Likes on 1,690 Posts
I have not heard of the connector being different on the 04 to the 05-06 either
Old 08-20-2017, 04:42 PM
  #76  
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
 
guitarplayer16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 10,766
Received 2,316 Likes on 1,690 Posts
I will note that for 04-06 (green connector) that there is this version that has the a shield over top. and different capacitor layout.
This one works for 2004 navigation as this was what mine looked like.

Old 08-20-2017, 05:50 PM
  #77  
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
 
04WDPSeDaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 5,814
Received 2,563 Likes on 1,317 Posts
I've been trying to research if you can use a 05-06 blue tooth unit in a 2004 TL. I stumbled on this thread (see post 65-66 by 04desertmist) https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-a...-843512/page2/
He asked the same question I asked the dealership. They told me 2004 blue tooth unit is not compatible with the 05-06 units. The 2004 unit was also higher in cost but without an explanation. When I worked at Acura, I never looked into it, just ordered the part for the corresponding year and model. If you also look to purchase this unit, many sites list the 04 as a different part number and item when compared to the 05-06 which list as the same part number and item (also noted on that same thread on page 1). Again, I can only speak for myself, what I've paid, what i've been told ect. Maybe the units are compatible, but everyone I asked including on line 3rd party sellers told me 05-06 units do not work with the 04.
Old 08-21-2017, 03:12 AM
  #78  
10th Gear
 
mymojo1000's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jon2000
I emailed them the other day when I couldn't sign up from Canada and got this as a reply:


Jon,

Thank you for contacting us. We will not be filing a class action on this issue in Canada.

Thanks,

CP

Christopher Pitoun Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP Direct: (213) 330-7148
Could you follow up or give me the contact info to inquire as a Canadian with an American 3g tl that has a bum HFL which has drained the battery repeatedly?
Old 09-19-2017, 01:33 PM
  #79  
Intermediate
 
DMC12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Wow, thanks! Had this issue and it sure was annoying. Especially when running late for work....
Old 09-23-2017, 09:16 PM
  #80  
Advanced
 
Sinistr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ABQ,NM
Posts: 70
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Added my name to the list. Thanks.


Quick Reply: Class action lawsuit against Acura - HFL Battery drain



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 PM.