Older Acura TLs

bodble2

Mine goes straight. If there is no road crown, I can literally take my hands off the wheel for a city block and keep in the lane. But I do find the TL (and Accord for that matter) quite sensitive to road crown. Even a moderate crown will dictate that you crank the wheel a few degrees in the opposite direction to keep the car straight. And the other complaint I would have is that the steering does not have a good on-centre feel.

1violinist

"I know 17" tires are more costly to replace/maintain than 16". How much is one of these 235/45/R17W TL tires typically cost?"

If you check Tirerack.com you'll find that the cheapest tire this size is about $91. A decent tire like Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is around $191.

bodble2

Is the maintenance schedule for TL in Canada written somewhere? I couldn't find it either in the main manual or the warranty manual. Or are we supposed to depend entirely on the onboard maintenance reminder? At the moment, I'm trying to find out if the first scheduled service is @ 6,000 km, or 7,500 km?

bodble2

Has anyone else noticed that the TL's gas mileage is extremely sensitive to the amount of slow-speed city driving you do. I used to live out in a suburb and my daily commutes included some stretches where it wasn't that congested, and my mileage was up around 20 - 22 mpg. Now I've moved to within the city, and the trips are shorter, with more stop and go, and more idling, and I've hit as low as just a little over 16 mpg. In pure freeway driving, it'll go over 30 mpg easy. I guess the TL engine just doesn't like to chug along in traffic.

highender

thanks for your observations, nkeen

 I will bring the TL in this week for oil change and to have it looked at....and tell them to check all that you mentioned also....

we post when I get it back..

highender

thnaks for mirroring my own observations....

we got close to 28 to 30 mpg on purely freeway, going up to 70 mph....

but local roads are hell on mpg...i was getting close to 18 or 17 ....could be all the high torque/high hp engine and the gearing...my guess.

habitat1

I have a 6-speed TL with EPA ratings of 20/30 and I CANNOT get more than 16-17 MPG out of light city / mixed driving, no matter what I do. I can't get more than 200 miles out of a tank before the low gas light comes on. Highway MPG at 70+ mph is 28-30.

My former Honda S2000, rated at 20/26, occassionaly revved to 8,500 rpm, managed 20-22 mpg in the same "mixed" driving. It would exceed 30 mpg on the highway. Even my 10 year old/ 155k mile Maxima SE, rated at 22/27, still gets 22-23+ in mixed driving and 28-30 mpg on the highway.

I am beginning to suspect there is something seriously wrong with the TL's city/mixed gas mileage. Hell, even a friend with a 2002 M5 manages to get 16-17 in the same type of mixed driving that I do in the TL. And he had to pay a $2,200 gas guzzler tax on his 400 hp, 4,000 lb M5.

So who wants to go to Acura demanding an explanation??

highender

I support you.....

even my cayenne with 450 hp and more weight gets 13.5 in the city. Does TL rev like a V8 at low efficiency when going local (since it does have 270 hp) ??

what is going on ??

kennyg5

My 03 Max is no better. I only got 16-18 in the city and 27-29 highway. The car has less hp and torque and is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the TL. So, you guys shouldn't complain :-)

kyfdx

You can't have all that power on tap at a milli-second's notice and not pay for it with lower gas mileage around town..

Ever have a car with the instantaneous gas mileage guage? My wife's 325i has one (184 HP), and if you want to increase your speed, even the slightest pressure on the throttle pegs it to the bottom of the gauge (which has a minumum number of 12 MPG). Driving around town, you are doing this constantly.. 16-17 MPG is actually pretty darned good, considering the car's weight and horsepower..

My aunt used to drive 3 miles to work, all through town.. no speed over 30 MPH.. put an average of 6K miles/year on her car... She had a Lincoln Mark VII LSC.. with the 302 V-8.. Pretty nice car... If she didn't do any other driving besides work and back, she got 7 MPG..

Now, everyone has different driving styles, but I know if I had 270HP and a six-speed transmission, I can see getting about 12 MPG around town... I really doubt anything is wrong with your car if you are getting 16 MPG in town and 28 MPG on the road.. Just my $0.02.

regards,
kyfdx

nkeen

I average 23 mpg on my daily commute to work (20 miles including about 6 interstate). On a recent trip (170 miles, average 61 mph, many miles 70 to 75 mph) I got 31 mpg with A/C off. I think this is decent for a powerful cruiser like the TL (2004 6 speed). This drops to around 29 mpg at 64 mph in rain and wind with defog (A/C) on.

golfnut5

Can anybody on this board tell me if the six CD Changer on the 2005 TL is in dash or not?

1violinist

In dash, unless you opt for the in-dash six-cup coffee maker instead! :-)

webby1

Danny,
I have a good contact with one of the service managers.... and I still own 3 Hondas so I stay in touch.
How many K's on your TL ?
Regards,
Webby

habitat1

With all due respect, 270 hp is not the answer, at least not for me.

My point in posting my other experiences was to show that in every other car I've owned over the past 10 years, my "mixed" driving routine has produced actual mileage of approximately 10-15% above the EPA City estimate. In the case of the TL, the same exact "mixed" driving is producing actual mileage 15-20% BELOW the EPA city estimate. By that reckoning, the EPA City estimate on the TL should be 15 mpg, not 20. And that would result in a hefty gas guzzler tax.

Even the "pure highway" mileage, although at or close to the EPA estimate, is below the 10% to 20% above EPA estimate that I was able to achieve in my 1995 Maxima and 2002 S2000. And, in the case of the Maxima, it didn't have a 6th gear. In the case of the S2000, 75 mph was close to 4,000 rpm (vs. about 2,500 in 6th on the TL).

As for the 270 hp on tap, I can only take so much comfort in that. Drove my old Maxima to pick up Pizza last night, and with "only" 190 hp, but 205 ft-lb of torque, it is minutely less quick from 0-50 than the TL. The heavier TL, with "only" 238 ft-lb of torque, only shows it's power advantage at speeds that are way above my "mixed" driving routine. And, I must again point out that in my type of mixed driving, when a 3.2 liter 6 cylinder TL with 270 hp and 238 ft-lb. and weighing under 3,500 lbs averages about the same as a 4,000 lb M5 with a 5.0 liter V8 and 400 hp / 369 ft. lbs., something IS wrong. Don't make excuses for Acura on this one.

kyfdx

Some cars are tuned to take advantage of the EPA tests (or come by that trait organically), and some others are just efficient by nature in the real world.... The gearing and lower weight may make your Maxima nearly as quick as the Acura, but its also possible that the lower weight and different gearing/axle ratios make it more efficient around town as well..

Also, the EPA rating system is constantly being tweaked to get it closer to real-world MPG.. What they did in '95 might not be (and most probably isn't) what they are doing now...

And, if you think the M5 gets the same mileage around town as your TL?.. I'm betting in the same conditions, it is closer to 8-10 MPG, regardless of what the EPA says...

My main point is.. 16 MPG around town is not that bad, and doesn't surprise me.. YMMV (literally).

regards,
kyfdx

mdhauke

"I think you can still use all of the functions of the display screen (Audio, Climate Control, etc.) without agreeing to the warning. You just can't use any of the NAV features."

Yes, but the annoying thing is that even if your not going to use the NAV the warning still stays up there for 30 seconds before you can change anything.

exb0

Just looked the TL in Consumer Reports’ Reliability by Category, and our TL is just a notch above “Average” under the Upscale Cars category. It is below both Lexus’, G35 and TSX (which is fine), but it is also below Saab 9-5, Volvo S60 (FWD) and Cadillac CTS. What is scary about this is that this category is full of the European contenders (MB, Jag, and Audi), so average reliability in this category is probably lower than any other category. I know that CR is not perfect, but never the less it is close to reality.

I guess my question is, should I buy extended warranty for my TL? I know I would have bought one if I had a Volvo or Cadillac, and TL is rated below them!! My car is a year old with 10K on it, and I had the usual problems like the transmission recall, tire vibration, seat memory problem and rattles, but nothing “unusual” that everybody else didn’t have to deal with. My biggest concern is the tranny, it is getting “jerkier” with age. Is this a sign of tranny going bad?

bodble2

My mileage is in Imperial gallons, which are 20% more than US gallons, so my mileage is actually even worse than what you guys are getting. But the reason for that, I suppose, is that my urban commutes, compared to yours in the larger US cities, consists of very short distances (about 5 - 7 miles), at 100% city street driving with lots of traffic stops, with zero driving at higher speeds. And I noticed the mileage really dipped after the onset of cold weather when the engine probably never gets fully warmed up.

And for the record, I checked the gas mileage for my wife's V6 Accord, and it's getting similar mileage.

maldorf

Yes it is a sign that the transmission is going to fail. I leased a 99 TL and my transmission went out at about 37k miles. It started driving rough about 5k miles before that, and slowly got worse. If you take it in and its not acting up, they cannot do anything for you, and so you are stuck with what I had to do. You have to drive it until it breaks down on the freeway!! That was fun at 6:30 am on the way to work.
    There is now a class action law suit underway against Honda and the transmission flaws. There are 2 different problems happening with the tranny. That 99 TL I leased had the problem, and the idiots still put the same design into the new 05 TL. As you are aware, all the TLs and accords equipped with auto tranny/v6 were recalled for that cheap fix they came up with. I have seen reports of the tranny still failing after this latest recall. My advice, SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS YOU CAN. A lawyer from San Diego is coming out to my home tomorrow to film my experiences for a big meeting between both sides of the negotiation. They have gathered many sworn testimonies and are now in the process of gathering video taped interviews for more impact.

maldorf

The new model Acura TL was recalled like the rest of the model years, the same transmission was used. I have seen at least one report here on Edmunds of a tranny failure on the new TL. Of course you will not see many yet, as the cars have little miles logged on them, but wait a year or so and they will begin to pop up. I had the tranny on my 99 TL go out at about 38k miles. There is a class action lawsuit underway now by a legal team in San Diego. I will be meeting with one of the attorneys tomorrow for a video taped interview to show at the meeting to go along with my sworn testimony.

maldorf

Yes, Honda has been lying to its customers about this transmission problem. It is still present on the newest model TL. Honda tried to blame on of the problems, there are at least 2, on the company they outsourced the 2nd gear to. It turns out the gears did not meet requirements needed.

highender

maldorf:

can you give me info on the class action lawsuit....and how to become a member if the occasion arises ??

igiban

Thought maybe add some positive stuff among all the recent negative posts for TL.

http://www.smartmoney.com/consumerreports/Autos/index.cfm?story=b- - estinclass_1112&nav=CR_nav

About the MPG: If you have a real time mpg display like the one in ES, you'd see how bad city driving can be for mpg. Anytime you stop and go the instantaneous mpg would be on single digits. If you do that a lot on local, then you'd not get 20. EPA testing on local is not based on heavy stop and go for sure. For TL, 20-25 mpg for mixed driving is probably very normal.

pat

This is the first post I have ever seen about a problem with the 99 TL's transmission. That transmission was a four-speed. It was changed to a five-speed in 2000 which is when the failures began according to everything I have read about this in the past almost six years.

Please give us some documentation on what you are reporting.

danny1878

The new model Acura TL was recalled like the rest of the model years
NO recall on mine and mine is the new model, and my transmission is fine (now 16k-miles)

Avg MPG 24 for the last 12kmiles, my driving pattern is 65% @25-40 limit, 35% @65mph. I had 19-22 for the first few months then it has became steady eversince.

I have seen at least one report here on Edmunds of a tranny failure on the new TL
? "I just had a transmission failure" Now you just got 2 reports lol.
I have seen low mileage transmission failure on previous model. Have you checked NHTSA under 2004 G35 transmission failure 6MT(not even a 1 year old)? while none on TL 2004?

There is a class action lawsuit underway now by a legal team in San Diego
Yes there are a lot of lawsuits going on
- Brake defect on G35 INFINITI
- Airbag defect on X5 BMW
- Cruise control defect on BMW
- Numerous problem on Chrysler
- Catastrophic injuries on Rollover SUVs
- Suspension failure GM
- Locking steering wheel on Saturn
- Seat belt failure
- Engine Failure on Chrysler 2.7
- KIA overstating power output
- Hyundai falsifying engine output
- Premature transmission failure for a certain 99-2003 CL/TL
- etc etc more...

Good luck, hope you'll win the case.

nkeen

Extended warranties are truly high profit -- that's why the dealer pushes them so hard at purchase time. Whichever way you cut it, the Acura is a reliable vehicle. It's certainly no VW Golf/GTi (I can supplement CR's rating of that one with personal tales of woe -- tranny fixed then replaced, ignition coil failure, window winders replaced, front valence fell off twice, wiring harness around electronic control unit "abraded wiring" causing check engine light illumination and reduced power during long trip -- all within 2 1/2 years).

highender

and nkeen:

I have a friend with a 2003 TL......and he just got the recall notice. So did the friend with the Honda pilot. They said Honda is working from oldest vehicle to new....since it is more likely for the older transmissions to fail....

I also have a 2004 TL....with only 8000 miles on it.....and my friends tell me to expect the recalll to come in the mail, but not soon, since they are still working on older models now. It is a pretty systematic way that they work , so the dealers would not be overwhelmed...

I hope they give me a permanent fix to the problem, not just some patch job. I like the car.... and will take it in soon for oil change.

danny1878

First of all, it says thru early 2004 TL build. Thats old news. Mine isnt one of them. The fact is No recall. Mine is solid as a rock.

Second of all there is no transmission failure for TL 2004 with or without the recall. But yes if you are referring to the older model.

Almost immediately off the show room floor experienced a whine and roar 21-25 MPH and 42-48, with mostly a roar in the 52-58 range. They immediately replaced the transmission due to the whine
NOT because it failed. The whining existed almost immediately off the showroom. We may find some in the future but it happens to any car/brand. like this one http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
Their problem is the unwillingness to do a recall/to prevent that from happening.

330I 2004
NHTSA Action Number: DP04001
Summary:
MS. CLAIRE M. TIEDER OF RESTON, VA
requesting a defect investigation be conducted into delayed transmission engagement on model year 2004 BMW XI vehicles.
BMW'S response to NHTSA'S information request indicated that certain BMW 3-SERIES Vehicles equipped with the GM5 Transmission may exhibited
a forward 'PARK' TO 'DRIVE' engagement delay from 2 TO 30 seconds.
However, the condition can occur only during a vehicle "COLD START," after the vehicle has been at rest fro more than eight hours.
Drivers experiencing the delay have learned to take precautionary and compensatory measures.
BWM will replace affected transmissions exhibiting the delay, after the condition has been verified, with an IMPROVED UNIT.

G35 2004 AT
NHTSA Complaint Number: 10047012
AT 260 MILE TRANSMISSION SLIP ON ACCELERATION CLICKING NOISE INSIDE DASH. *LA

2 complaints on G35 6MT 2004, all tranny were replaced, one was replaced twice.

LEXUS ES330 2004
NTHSA Complaint Number: 10090711
04 LEXUS ES 330. While driving at speeds under 10 MPH (especially "ROLLING STOPS"), vehicle experiences at least 2-3 second lag between throttle actuation and engine/transmission response. This problem is particularly evident when pulling out into busy traffic. This is a serious safety concern that needs to be addressed by LEXUS. We took the car to dealer. They said ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL.

Pontiac Grand Am Year: 2005
NTHSA Complaint Number: 10090096
Summary:
Vehicle accelerated upon parking near a stop with foot off accelerator and on brake pedal. Car jumped over parking bump and hit a vehicle.

Check NHTSA legitimate complaint for TL transmission 2004, zilch nada. But they have 1 complaint about tire.

danny1878

Isnt that wierd? Recall / band aid or whatever that is, means nothing if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ZERO transmission failure complaint on TL 2004 .

Again I dont work for Acura, just a happy/satisfied owner of the car and still proud of it until now (almost a year). I try to save it's mileage but cant fight the urge "Must drive the car".

priggly

Had been considering the purchase of an '05 TL but have to admit that all this talk and history of transmission problems, driveline vibration, etc. has me spooked. I gather the problem has not been fixed for the '05 model year but does anyone know for sure? Comments anyone?

But, my o my, that sure is a fine audio system . . . !

habitat1

There appears to be a lot of mystery as to what the actual facts are regarding Honda/Acura automatic transmssions. "Early build" 2004 model TLs were indeed recalled - a friend of ours has one they bought last November and it went back to the dealership. What constitutes "early build" and what did Acura presumably do mid year to correct the probelm at its root?? The MDX got an entirely new transmission for 2004, or did it? The "fix" is just a lubrication system for an otherwise flawed design that will eventually fail before it should, or is it??

My point is that, for Honda/Acura, the fact that reasonably educated posters in this forum don't know what the hell the actual, fact based, full story is, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

It's one thing for me to speculate about buying a Land Rover LR3 and wondering what might go wrong with it. But, damn it, if I'm going to buy an Acura MDX or TL with and automatic transmission, and the problem has been out in public since about 1999/2000, I should be able to buy in 2004/5 with complete confidence and knowledge that Honda has addressed the problem. And Honda should put the entire story in black and white so as to be completely clear as to what was the probelm and how it was fixed. Loyal Handa/Acura owners shouldn't need to use Google trying to figure out what is really going on.

I have purchased no fewer than 5 new Hondas/Acuras in the past, all with manual transmissions (Civic, Integra, Legend GS, S2000, TL). My friendly Acura service manager, former owner of a 225,000 miles Legend GS 6-speed, privately admits that he would not buy an automatic TL or pre-2004 MDX for his own family.

I am venting, not really looking for a response. But for a company that gets it right about 99% of the time, the automatic transmission mystery has been the most poorly handled matter I have ever seen. It's downright Ford like.

highender

thanks much, maldorf....

you have been a great help...

I like the TL....mind you...and feel sorry that Honda / Acura , with its great reputation, has to go thru this. I understand its a honest mistake/problem .

I hope this issue gets resolved without stiffing the consumers...

I have not gotten my recall notice yet....since it is so new a car....

igiban

My friend's TL (AT) was purchased in 5/04 and Acura told them that there's no recall for theirs. At least that means that the recall is indeed only for 'early' TL of 04's. Now does that mean TL now does not have the problem, or at the minimum have the patch applied already b4 it's shipped?

1hopeck

You need not to look any further than at the NHTA Office of Defects Investigation to see in fact the 2004 TL has been recalled for a Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Make : ACURA Model : 3.2TL Year : 2004
Manufacturer : AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V176000 Recall Date : APR 13, 2004
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1099796
Summary:
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.
Notes:
HONDA RECALL NOS. P30 (ODYSSEY AND PILOT), P31 (MDX), P38 (ACCORD) AND P39 (ACURA). CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

danny1878

I am not arguing about the recall for the earlier build. Its true for earlier build and like I said its OLD NEWS. Mine is not one of them. NO RECALL on mine

If you read my post carefully, I said "COMPLAINT" not recall. Look under complaint.

Even with the earlier build that was recalled, there is no evidence of complaint about transmission failure. At least no data on NHTSA for this 1 year and 2 months sedan. Becuz the company has responsed quickly after finding only 1 case and issued the recall.

Some post complaining about transmission failure but none of them are from owner of 2004 TL, mostly from TL 99-2003 or people owning other brand. And again its about transmission failure, I'm fine with the recall, its about manufacturer's responsibility and quick response. Some manufacturer tried to delay/avoid to acknowledge that there is a defect and not willing to issue a recall. Even my 1997 Accord(147k miles) recently, still got a letter requesting me to replace ignition switch for free.

Affected models include certain 2003 and early 2004 model Accord V6 sedans and coupes, 2000-2003 and early 2004 Acura TL sedans, and 2001-2003 Acura CL coupes. Quoted from article

danny1878

G35 2004 has 3 cases of transmission, 2 with manual and 1 with auto. But no recall has been issued.
G35 2004 NHTSA Complaint Number: 10098647
TRANSMISSION MAKES CHATTERING NOISE AS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN (ONLY ABLE TO HEAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP AND ONLY ABLE TO HEAR IT FROM OUTSIDE OR WITH THE DOOR OPEN.). TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BUT THE CHATTERING NOISE STILL EXISTS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS INTERNALLY IN ALL 6 SPEED TRANNYS' AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE ATTENDED TO UNLESS MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN

WAITING FOR A DISASTER?

webby1

"330I 2004
NHTSA Action Number: DP04001
Summary:
MS. CLAIRE M. TIEDER OF RESTON, VA
requesting a defect investigation be conducted into delayed transmission engagement on model year 2004 BMW XI vehicles.
BMW'S response to NHTSA'S information request indicated that certain BMW 3-SERIES Vehicles equipped with the GM5 Transmission may exhibited
a forward 'PARK' TO 'DRIVE' engagement delay from 2 TO 30 seconds.
However, the condition can occur only during a vehicle "COLD START," after the vehicle has been at rest fro more than eight hours.
Drivers experiencing the delay have learned to take precautionary and compensatory measures.
BWM will replace affected transmissions exhibiting the delay, after the condition has been verified, with an IMPROVED UNIT. "

Before BMW knew the reason why, the fix was a new tranny....since then however they discovered that the problem was EGS Programing, Bulletin 27 07 03 and problem corrected.

newanthi

What is the break in period and considerations for a 2005 tl?

maldorf

We had a videographer film a short interview with me today. The lawyer that interviewed me is flying all over the country this week gathering video taped testimonies. They have also gathered written sworn testimonies from us all. He said that they will be meeting with Honda's Lawyers December the 20th. He felt like something would happen by mid to late January.
    He felt ,from his talks with the attorneys from Honda, that their side was well aware that there is a serious problem with this transmission. If something positive comes from this lawsuit he said that it will be an opt out class action. Honda will have to send out letters to all affected owners and unless they hear from you that you do not want to take part, you will benefit from the result. As far as what might come of this, who knows. It looks like perhaps an extended warranty of some sort, but this is all speculation at this time.
    This tranny problem has been out there since 99 at least, maybe even earlier. I owned an 88 legend and its transmission went out at 70k, a 99 TL its transmission went out at 38k, and I now own an 03 TL with just 15k on it and I am hoping it holds up. It is fine as of now. Guess I was a fool to buy that last TL after the first one broke down. Just like DANNY 1878 I had the wool pulled over my eyes and actually thought that Honda took care of the tranny problem. Worst of all, Honda claims that my car's transmission is fine because it was manufactured late enough in 03 that the problem was taken care of. Because of this it was not eligible for the extended warranty on the tranny they offered customers. This warranty lasts 7 years or 100k miles. Then they turn around and recall my transmission. Why would they recall a transmission that is not defective?? Sounds like I should be eligible for the extended warranty if they are going to acknowledge a problem by recalling it. No such luck.
     The lawyer let me know that there have been many owners that have had their vehicle's tranny go out just weeks after that recall work was done. It appears that the oil jet stirs up the metal shavings that can result from the 3rd gear clutch plate and this will make the 2nd gear bind and lock up/break. Yet Honda still continues to do this cheap fix. The real problem with the transmission has not been addressed. New cars being produced right now have the very same transmission, only difference being that the oil jet to the 2nd gear is installed at the factory.

pat

Again maldorf, can you provide any actual figures or documentation that the 99 transmission is involved in the same way as the MYs following it? The transmission was completely changed in 2000, and during all this time, your issue is the only one I've heard about.

The tranny troubles that started with the 2000 MY have been discussed at much length ever since then.

In any case, I wish you luck.

maldorf

I do not have any documentation handy. I am going by my experience with the transmission, and the fact that I have seen posts on the petition about others having the same issues on their 99s ( see the link I provided earlier for the petition). The lawyer also told me that Honda later offered owners of the 99 TL the extended warranty that other model years got earlier,but that really does not concern me since I got rid of that car long ago after the lease was up. I am concerned now about my 03. We are about to start trying to trade the car in, perhaps for another Audi. The lawyer did tell me he has been getting reports that some dealers are well aware of the transmission problem and are only offering trade-in values thousands of dollars below kelly bluebook. If nobody offers us much for trade-in, I guess we are stuck with it.

maldorf

I just remembered another point that supports my claim on the 99 TL. At my dealership my car was one of the first to have the problem, but a couple months later many started to come in with the same transmission failure. This was the clutch plate problem, where it downshifts on its own. My car took nearly 2 months to get done, and others after me had similar problems since Honda could not come up with the replacement trannies fast enough to meet demand. The service manager confirmed the problem with the 99, and at that time told me it was fixed for 2000 since it was a revamped tranny!
    As far as I can see Honda never did a recall on the 99. The lawyer was saying that Honda would not own up to a problem with the clutch plate, but was admitting to a problem with the 2nd gear. Perhaps the 99s did not have the 2nd gear problem, and this is why it was not recalled?? They must have been getting enough trouble with the 99 though to offer that extended 7 yr 100k mile warranty though.

cartalk

This may be somewhat related: The '99 Odysseys had their transmission warranty coverage extended to 7 years or 100,000 miles. This was the first year for the redesigned Odyssey and it has the 3.0 litre engine.

BTW, the tranny on my '98 Accord V6 went out at about 98K and it was not under warranty.

lmacmil

The problem with most class action suits is that the lawyers get most of the settlement and quite often the plaintiffs get far less than the class action suit would lead them to believe they "deserve."

highender

habitat:

agree with your sentiments. I like the TL...and selected it over the 330i, Audi A4, mercedes C class.....

but if this has been out since 1999 or 2000, then the company should fix the problem with the supplier, let all know that its been fixed...and thus assuage the anger and uncertainty that many owners feel...

  It would seem like you made the right choice...and got the auto tranny....

bodble2

I thought habitat got the 6-speed.

highender

thanks for the correction :-)

I mean....of course...that habitat made the right choice , and got the 6 speed manual....and not the auto , like some of us did.

I still like to drive the automatic....but both of us (wife and I) do drive manual...so it wasn;t because we did not know how to....]

I just thought an auto transmission is a no brainer....

maybe they would have problems with new hybrid tech...but surely not screw up an auto ??!!?

oh well...besides that....all is within reason........I'm a patient guy ....

danny1878

ACURA / NHTSA document
Acura CLS 2000-2001
AVG miles to failure = 12,970 miles, many at less than 6k miles

Number of failures of ACURA CLS according its build month
Jan 00 0 0.0%
Feb 00 2 1.4%
Mar 00 3 0.1%
Apr 00 22 0.7%
May 00 25 0.8%
Jun 00 15 0.5%
Jul 00 5 0.2%
Aug 00 15 0.5%
Sep 00 10 0.3%
Oct 00 40 0.4%
Nov 00 41 0.4%
Dec 00 45 0.5%
Jan 01 12 0.3%
Feb 01 22 0.8%
Mar 01 18 0.5%
Apr 01 0 0.0%
May 01 12 0.4%
Jun 01 12 0.4%
Jul 01 0 0.0%
Aug 01 3 0.1%
Sep 01 2 0.1%
Oct 01 2 0.1%
Nov 01 0 0.0%
Dec 01 1 0.1%

Page 489:
See the page 486 title; this is for the TL and contains totals for codes by TL vehicle type. The Survey was done on vehicles sold by the end of AUG 2001 and the 3.2TL total was 14766 and 3.2TL Type-S was 15941
TL 19
TL NAVI 4
TL TYPE-S 26
TL TYPE-S NAVI 14 (failures)

The extended warranty (7 years / 100k miles) applies to 2000-01 Honda Odyssey minivans; 2000-01 Honda Accord cars with automatic transmissions; 2000-01 Prelude; and 2000-03 Acura CL and TL cars. ( only 1.6% have had to have its transmission replaced )quoted from USA today.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002-09-20-honda-warranty_x.h- - tm

No data found for TL 2004. If there is, we should be able to see/read/hear them because some tranny from previous model 2000-2002 failed at less than 1200 miles. I agree that this problem shouldnt have happened. But also not a single fact can back up the lawyer's claim (the 04). Hoping to catch more fish by stirring the pond?

highender

my 2004 TL is driving fine, except for the veering to the right, and severe veer to right on braking.....

do you think Honda and Acura will be forthcoming and stand behind thier product...??

I hope so....