sddale

I'm thinking about picking up an 04 TL and would like to know what kind of maintenance it requires and also the common problems I could expect to have. I read some of the threads and see that the AT could be troublesome and also steering wheel shakes.

I currently own a 2000 BMW 540 so I'm looking at getting a more reliable car. The 540 requires a lot of maint but it drives really nice even with 170kmi. However if I could do it over again I would have gotten something more reliable.

Thanks!

YeuEmMaiMai

if you get an 04 TL I would get a stick the transmission used is the same pos 5at as in the second gen cars. 06 or newer for 5at cars

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Welcome! An '04 TL will definitely require less maintenance than your current Bimmer.

I hate cars

The TL has no issues with steering wheel shake from the factory. It's not a defect per se, it is very sensitive to wheel balance and even slight flat spots in the tires from sitting. When you go tire shopping it's important to use a shop you trust for the balancing and alignment.

The '04 transmission in the 3rd gen TLs are a step up from the 2nd gen TLs. There's still some speculation as to how much different they are.

What I know for sure is the '04 does not require the oil jet kit addition like the 2nd gens do so the trans case is redesigned with proper lube.

There are no where near as many failures in the 3rd gens. In fact, I would say reliability is slightly above average.

There are two things you should do to ensure realibility.... Replace the factory Z1 fluid with a good aftermarket fluid. Factory fluid is junk (many threads with the reasons why). Replace the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches ($80). These will eventually cause a mechanical failure through excessive clutch slippage.

For what it's worth, at 93,000 miles I've replaced a headlight, the two switches I mentioned as preventative maintenence, and the factory battery. This thing has been incredibly reliable and trouble free. The nicest thing is it still drives like a new car. I'm far from a Honda/Acura loyalist but I would buy another given the chance.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

^ Well said.

I came from a 04 3G TL 5AT and it was extremely reliable. I did lots of preventative maintenance and I had 0 mechanical problems except for front wheel bearings (106,000mi, I drove it hard for 52,000 miles)

Everything electrical worked, everything worked perfectly.

I would only go back to a TL if it had the 6 speed MT ..

YeuEmMaiMai

No, it's not a step up.....just looking around this forum is enough to disprove that......they are subject to the same recalls/fixes as the previous cars (oil jet kit, redesigned casings)

if you get 04 to mid 05 TL with a 5AT be warned u could be looking at a spendy repair......


under problems and fixes are there are no less than 7 trnasmission problem threads onthe first 2 pages

EL PESADO

iTrader: (5)

i have my tl 04 for 2 years and i don;t have any problem with the transmission

I hate cars

I've never once seen an oil jet kit installed on a 3rd gen. This was to fix the lack of lube that lead to the destruction of hard parts, namely gears. Most of the failures I've seen centered around the 3rd gear clutch pack which is easily fixed if caught in time with the switches.

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

IHC never seizes to amaze me

pimpin-tl

When should those switches be replaced?

I hate cars

LOL. He's probably digging up all of the oil jetted 3rd gens that I missed. Hopefully there are none.

Will Y.

See https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/would-you-buy-another-one-783062/.

:ibmerge:
Standard maintenance; big one is change of timing belt @ 105K miles (most people also change the water pump, tensioner, etc. during that service).
The 2004 TL is highly rated by Consumer Reports, but you'll see more atypical/abnormal complaints here because this is an enthusiast demographic-- transmission failures, steering pump/rack failures, Navigation going tits-up, HFL/bluetooth breakdowns, etc. accompany the bent wheel and "whistling noise from my aftermarket cold air induction" complaints. YMMV.

FWIW, my '05 @ 62K or so just had its first set of replacement front brake pads and 2nd transmission fluid change. No defects/breakdowns since new other than to address 2 recalls(wiper motor and power steering hose) on one visit, so it's probably the typical TL.
Wasn't there a recall to install an oil jet on the first 8K or so of 2004 TLs?

I hate cars

I've never heard of it but I'm all ears. I wonder if the first batch of early TLs used what was left over for the 2nd gens?? Not smart on Acura's part considering their history.

d-townhakuzo

Would I buy another one? No. I really like this car, but I plan on keeping it until I graduate college (6 years), and I don't think I would want another one...lol. It is a great car, and I definitely would recommend it if someone asked me.

sddale

Thanks for the info. If it's true about the first 8k 04's having trans problems after what build date would be safe? Are there any significant changes between 04 and 05?

Will Y.

Oops-- it was the first 14K+ of '04 5AT TLs for a 2nd gear inspection and installation of an oil jet "if needed:" https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=11.
"Safe" is relative-- see the linked recall info for serial number-- but 5ATs with serials above 15K were not subject to the recall.
The 6M TL was not subject to that 5AT recall, but some owners had a 3d gear shifting issue which was remedied by... a fluid change.

The changes between '04 and '05 are here: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...88&postcount=1.

My preference would be an '06 for the built-in Tire Pressure Monitoring System, if not an '07-'08 TL-S.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Not significant. Different, chrome Acura logo on the steering wheel, two seams in the seat bottoms to reduce wrinkles, passenger airbag indicator under the hazard lights button.

The 2006 models got TPMS along with some minor stuff.

sddale

Is it worth finding one with navigation? How much are the current maps? It is difficult to retrofit an OEM nav unit?

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

1) YES. It's so worth it even if you do pay more than one without- you get what you pay for. Also it looks great in the interior.
2) I believe $180 for the current disc. I need to buy one.
3) Yeah. The effort and money you'd dump into a project like that wouldn't be worth the deal you got on a TL without navi. https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/im-soo-excited-just-completed-my-non-navi-navi-conversion-diy-included-747456/

YeuEmMaiMai

that's odd cause it's the exact same fix that is on the 2nd gen cars, the reacall is here

Recall Date
APR 15, 2004


Model Affected
2004 ACURA 3.2TL


Description
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.


Consequence
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.


Remedy
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.


Potential Units Affected
1099796


Notes
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) P30/P31

and that is what is referred to as the oil jet kit. When the redesigned the trans in mid 05 (new case with larger oiling passages to help eliminate the oiling problems) it was retrofitted back to the 2nd gen cars cause you guessed it they use a nearly identical transmisison.

06+ cars transmission requires modifications to fit in the older cars but it can be done as shown here

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/update-thoughts-after-putting-3g-tranny-my-2g-784329/

BTW I am not trying to be a pita here and I would buy a TL again but definately not an 04 or 05 model

I hate cars

Thanks for the info. Thats very disappointing on Acura's part. I still haven't heard of one retrofitted early TLs. I guess I got lucky with my early '06.

pimpin-tl

Asking again since no one responded to my question. When should those switches be replaced? Mileage?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

it's a good idea to do them when you do your first 3x3 fill n drain tranny flush...at least that's the impression i get. i'll be doing my 3x3 when i hit 40k next month, along with the switches. hth

pimpin-tl

I already did my 3x3 with no switch replacements. :/

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Here's one:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/tranny-fluids-drian-refill-completed-pic-but-i-have-question-687741/

Early '04 models. They changed the case design on the late '04-'05.

I hate cars

Starting from 60K and up. Any sooner and you might not feel a difference. Some can go much longer than 60K but I would say that's a good mileage where they start to flake out.

sixsixfour

Id buy another one if I had to.

Waltah

iTrader: (3)

only if they offer a type-s option and manual transmission. also cant be an overweight/underpowered pig.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I have a late model 04 (June 2004) which currently has 121k on it. Only problem I have had is a bad battery. Other than that, just regular maintenance. I plan to keep the car for a long, long time as I really feel that it drives a lot like new. The transmission doesn't quite feel like new with some rougher shifts, but I just ordered the 3rd and 4th switches last week and am hoping that will take care of it. I should also note that I made the mistake of waiting till 100k to perform any kind of service to the trans.

Would I buy another? Yes, in a heartbeat... although I'd get a KBP '07 or '08 TL-S this time. In fact, I was just telling my wife the other day that if something unfortunate were to happen to my car that's exactly what I would do. A friend of ours recently smashed up his '04 TL, which is why it came up. By the way, he had over 140k on the original trans and his felt smoother than mine currently does.

stbxvd

Have had my 05 navi tl for a year and a half now (went from 62k miles to 71k). only maintenance has been preventative (trans flush, oil changes, tires, etc). Kind of wish i hadn't paid for the extended warranty at this point, although i do have another 2 and a half years on it.

have actually been thinking of selling my tl next year and buying an 08 type s (have to 1 up my parents who 1 upped me)

Definitely go for navi if you have the option, id say half of my car's compliments are about the navi.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

I'm waiting till 90k too replace switches, tranny fluid, oil change, and cabin air filter. Then 15k more miles Imma save up for the 105k maintenance. Hopefully my transmission shifts a lot smoother.

LoveMyTL-S

Why wait on the cabin filter?

Rocketsfan

'04 TL AT here with about 146,600 miles. I replaced my steering pump around 80k (I think), under warranty. I had 2 engine mounts replaced around 100-120k (this seems to be a somewhat common repair for these TL's). Outside of that, I've had a couple of lights go out on switches and that's about it.

YeuEmMaiMai

there really isn't a definite answer but from what I have been reading every 40-50K or so or if you are getting shudder in your shifting.

Dave_W

Mine is an 04 built in January of 04. No trans issues whatsoever here. Of course I've serviced the trans regularly and will we doing the pressure switches soon. I've had no mechanical issues at all. This has been the best car I've owned to date. Yes I would buy again.

myblack04tl

I have an 04 with what appears to be an oil jet kit installed. Instead of a plug to fill trans it has the kit. Looks like it taps off of the line coming from the trans filter.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, I have a few of those as well. Two on the steering wheel and one of the seat warmer lights. Drives me crazy and yet I don't feel like tearing it apart to fix it. The most annoying part to me is that I had one of the seat warmer lights go out and I fixed it when I installed my USA Spec iPod link. Sure enough just a little bit after that install, the other seat warmer light goes out. Argggh!

smarty666

I would not get the current 4G TL in its current form. The car is way to big and bloaty now (especially in the rear end) for my taste and I just can't get passed the shield grill. BUT, and this is a big but, if Acura can rework the grill and a couple of other things for the MMC, that might be enough to change my mind. Only time would tell!

If not, the only way I would be back in another TL would be to buy a used 3G. Still love that body style like crazy! Perfect in size to, not too small and not too big!

flyromeo3

Nope,...

One thing I cant understand with Honda/Acura is how come they seem to ALWAYS have some sort of transmission issue?

IMO, my next car will be another audi.

Rocketsfan

FYI : my lights that went out are on the buttons on the steering wheel (cruise control side) and a seat warmer light.