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Comments
Nor is my beef with Acura a workmanship problem. It is one related to design, engineering, materials and Acura's (dealers) attitude.
I also know a local dealer that's serving my friend's Acura very well. But I do have to say that Lexus is also the one to beat in area of dealer customer service, in both sales and services.
From G35 problem and solution
#1085 of 1462 wallyG35 by carnaught Jan 07, 2004 (5:39 pm)
Amen....my seats at 23,000 mi. are wearing poorly also....very disappointing with a so-called luxury division.
#1129 of 1462 hughjsack by carnaught Jan 31, 2004 (10:12 am)
All I can say is that my '03 has had at least 10 recalls since I bought it, although it is one the early "dog door" trunk models. From what I understand, most if not all of my car's issues have been addressed with the '04. This, plus the resale value you'll recoup makes me recommend the '04 without question.
#1300 of 1462 Brakes - here we go again! by carnaught Aug 17, 2004 (7:58 pm)
Well, I now have about 33,000 mi on my '03 and have had the front brakes replaced at 15000 mi. Now the dealer is replacing them again. Fortunately, it is under warranty, but my rhetorical question is will the car need to brake pads and/or brakes every year to year and one-half? If so, this will be a very high maintenance car.
If you're about to say that it's my hard driving habits, I answer that my tires are still good.
No mechanical problems with the 5 mos. old TL. That, in itself says something positive about the Acura. My main problem with the TL is that the rattles and vibrations I experience are to the point that at times it feels like the car is going to come apart. Then there is the unacceptable wear of the leather seats and the indifferent attitude of Acura.
I still have the G35 and with over 34,000 mi. on it is running well. It actually has less rattles than the newer TL but as my posts on the Infiniti board showed, had more service issues. It WAS one of the earliest production cars for the G35, though, now approaching three years old. Infiniti also has owned up to its problem(s).
however, the oil % indicator displays 30% after it...does anyone know how to reset it?
I don't know if it's because of the slope of the hood, the angle of the windshield, the height of the windshield off the ground, or what... but something is different with this car from my last because I never had this problem in all the years before hand.
I went from NC to Milwaukee in one day, 13 hours, to avoid a show storm that ended up shutting down Indiana. So I avoided any adverse conditions. I spent Christmas in Milwaukee and then left for CA taking I80 the whole way.
As I entered into Illinois and taking I88 to I80 I ran into some light snow. I couldn’t believe how horrible the car was handling on the interstate. There was only a dusting on the road but my car was all over the place, constantly feeling like it will lose control any second. I had to slow down to 35mph to 40mph. I pulled over to the next gas station and checked my front tires and there was still plenty of thread on them. Well, I filled up and went back on the Interstate, but the same thing, I was all over the place. So I pulled over in Davenport, Iowa, stopping 4 hours before I planned to, to spend the night. My arms were so sore from gripping the steering wheel so tight that I could hardly move them. When I got up the next day it cleared up. I took advantage of the good weather and drove I80 all the way thought Iowa, all the way through Nebraska, and all the way through Wyoming, stopping in Salt Lake City for the night. About 1300 miles in one day! It was good weather so I experienced no problems.
Well I knew the next day the west coast was about to get hit with a storm so I knew I had to get there and over Doner Pass on the CA/NV border ASAP. So I left early. However the firs mountain range I passed over in Nevada had snow on the windward side. Same thing, I was freaking all over the place, had to slow down to 30 mph. I pulled over at a rest stopped and checked my front tires again, and there was plenty of thread. Well it snowed only for that 10 miles going down hill. It was clear the west of the way through Nevada. Filled up in Reno, made it over Doner pass because there was a break in the snow and the roads were cleared. Well as soon as I hit Sacramento the rain starts. At first it is light and my car is handling all right, not great, but alright. Every time I switch lanes my car moves around a little bit, but it’s manageable. While just when I hit I680 to head down south the rain picks up and when I hit the smooth concrete off ramp from I80 to I680 my car feels like it’s on a sheet of ice. I somehow made it through that. Well now my car is all over the place again in the rain, just like it was on the snow. Let me tell you, I never notice how tires react to different types of asphalt until now. Believe me, there is porous asphalt and non-pour asphalt. Well now I am thinking just about 120 more miles to go. Well, the last straw came when I went over the bridge that goes over the northern tip of San Francisco bay on I680. As I entered the sign said (Bridge may be slippery when wet). I knew then I was in trouble. I swear to god my vehicle had no traction what so ever. It took everything in my power going only 15 mph to have my car not slam into the side of the bridge. I was getting passed like I was standing still and I am surprised I didn’t get rear-ended. Well, I made it across after what seemed like an eternity and I said enough is enough, I asked my NAV system for the nearest Acura dealer and there was one 4 miles away. It was Concord Acura in Concord CA. I pulled into the service Dept at about 5pm. I went in and said my TL is trying to kill me and I need to replace the tires now. A service man came out with me to the car and I went to show him the tires, since we were approaching from the back I went to feel the back tire’s thread, for the first time incidentally. THE TIRES WERE BALD!!! They were as bald as the tires you see in Indy 500. No wonder my car was all over the place. And for some reason I always checked the front tires, I should have checked the back ones too. I kicked myself. So I told the dealer that I want any tire other then these Bridgestone all-seasons. He said that was all they had on stock. Well, I had to get down to Monterey so I said just replace the two back ones since the fronts seem to have plenty of thread. He had a deal on two previously used (only 500 mph on them) tires of the same type, so I took them. I was out of there within an hour and a half and I had no problems the rest of the way or since.
So yes, it’s my fault for never checking the back tires but I never thought that after only 15,000 that any tire could become bald. I am use to 40,000 – 60,000 miles on a tire. THESE TIRES SUCK!! Incidentally, the two back tires that were bald were my front tires the a week before. Remember the tire rotation? What I can’t believe is the Acura Dealership in NC actually rotating the tires and never saying anything on how low the thread was. It almost killed me. That was Leith Acura in Fayetteville btw.
Well, I am going to get about 5,000 more miles use out of these tires and then I am getting rid of these for good and never buying Bridgestone’s again. This is ridicules. Even now, with the two new tires and decent thread on the other two tires I still sometimes hydroplane for a bit in the rain.
Well, that is my cross-country trip from hell. And to add insult to injury I chipped my windshield again in the process. Sorry for the long post but maybe this will warn some of you to check these Bridgestone tires constantly, especially after you get about 10,000 miles on them, so you don’t have the 45 near death experiences I had on my little trip.
I also worry about the tires because I knew that these tires will not last like any ordinary tires. I'm expecting probably like 30k miles. I have put 19k miles already on my TL.
I cant help wondering why your tires worn out so quickly (with 14kmiles only). Is there any possibility that the dealer rotated your tires with someone else's tires by mistake?
Pressing the memo button doesnt save any position. Its like asking which memory seat do you want to store?
Dunno about the 05 thou but I hope this will help!
Another thing is, I wonder why you needed to change the oil if it's still got 30% left? I thought the electronic service minder only tells you to change oil at 5% left. Have I misunderstood how the service minder works?
Anybody know the cost of a new key and remote. Sure it is not cheap with the chip in the key and all.
Thanks.
When I first purchased my car in October of 2004 I noticed a driveline vibration and informed the Acura Service Department. They told me this driveline vibration was normal and due to poor tires. Now, (after two sets of tires) I understand that this harmonic vibration is a common defect on 2004 TL models and occurs at approximately 52 to 55 miles per hour. Does Acura have a fix...i don't think so...
I'm wondering weather owners of new TL’s can consult an attorney in reference to a class action lawsuit on behalf of all customers who have experienced the above mentioned product defects.
I got no rattles or vibrations but this odd memory seat weirdo.
Congratulation on you new TL, now you got two of the best selling sedan.
Mine is an 04, no rattle and vibration.
Yes and two personalities, but also two best stock audios in its class (I got ML in ES, and this TL one rocks too).
Also, what is the insurance rate in MA for Acura TL, for a Step 9 or Step 10 driver.
Thanks
Hmmm, really seems like this car was built to last, huh?
To this day, having lived with my TL for 7+ months, knowing all its warts, there is still no other car I would rather buy, with my own money. The key words being "with my own money". The Volvo S40/V50 AWD would come close. Of course, if someone offered to trade a MB SL55 for my TL straight-up.....
The TL isn't perfect, and some like Ricko do have very legitimate gripes, but please don't get the idea from this forum that the TL isn't worth buying.
Good luck with arbitration.
what do you have to do to get a hearing?
A class action suit would get their attention!
I totally disagree with your statement that the TL is worth buying.
We are talking about a 35K car with driveline vibrations. This is not an $18,000 Chevrolet. (By the way, Chevrolet does not have a driveline vibration.)
The TL has had transmission problems for 4 or 5 years in a row. How can you excuse the incompetence and sheer disrespect for their customers?
I’ll never buy another acura.
However, based on my past ownership (Pontiacs) and those of my family (Chrysler and Ford), American manufactures are no better, and in my opinion worse.
I won't go into the litany of issues I had with my $25K '98 Grand Prix or more to the point, how Pontiac didn't resolve or stand behind their car. Just what you say about never buying another Acura, I have said about Pontiac.
Based on my direct experience and the myriad of quality surveys (JD Power, etc...), I believe I am in the majority and I don't want others who read this board to feel your experience with Acura is the norm.
I do believe you have serious issues with a $35k car and Honda hasn't treated you (and others) fairly. It's just that I believe the issues you are having are not typical of the majority AND that ohter manufactures are no better.
Whenever I read that someone is unhappy with Honda/Acura as a brand, I’m always very curious to know what brand they consider to be less of a purchase risk. Personally, I can't think of one but that's my own judgment.
With a successfull class action suit we would probably be entitled to a coupon for "X" amount off the purchase of our next Honda/Acura product or something equally as worthless. My point is that no one really comes out well from a class action suit other than the attorneys.
i would recommend the TL to anyone who wanted that type of car.
I think there isnt any more tranny issue now. Do you really have the new TL or the previous one?
I totally disagree with your statement that TL is not worth buying.
Look other vehicle's problem. It took me 2 minutes to get this :
BMW 3 series
Clutch chattering noise by chicago duke
Whirring noise from engine by nak
rough Idle problem and in reverse by newbuyer30, sfguy1 and a lot of others
Road noise by a lot of people
Transmission on new 2004 330xi by chan
Transmission slip by jasond, prk1965 and many others
starting problem by scut_monkey
Vibration at idle by bmwna
330ci auto tranny problem by jccai1
my reverse gear no long works by bmwqjs
This BMW is a $40k car, is this what you call worth buying?
We can find a lot more problems ez on any other brand which has more problems than TL. They have more than just vibration.
I do feel for your trouble but until now I have no idea what this vibration feels like, because I have none of that. Mine is an 04.
Why not just sell the car and buy another brand?
Maybe you can find a perfect one if there's any.
This is from G35 :
cleon21 : The ride is extremely harsh, I know this must be the "feel of the road"
mreloc : Hard shifting from 1st to 2nd, I can feel the grin through the shifter
carnaught :the G's seats, interior in general, and exterior paint ARE wearing poorly, my 03 has had at least 10 recalls since I bought it.
msiseng : I second what carnaught writes
Fng : The engine is more noisy than I expected too
cdixon253 : I just finished washing my car, first in three weeks due to the weather, and was amazed at the amount of paint chipping
s530 : G35 sedan (silver) paint chipping!
ryoken : Passenger seatbelt inoperable in 2 weeks
kdlee: gas pedal vibration
infinityfan : squeaky brakes
froze : strut noise coming from driver's side
touchy brakes and brake pads that have to be replaced every 15k miles
12 transmission problems/replaced Nhtsa on 04 alone
BMW 3 has 18 tranny problems/replaced Nthsa on 04 alone
TL has one on 04 alone
Good luck!!
Ps: I wonder why all your posts are negatives from the very begining, Dont you even have a positive one? Maybe I should be quit my job and be a lawyer, looks promising, I might start with itchy seats lawsuits
You have a point...all cars have problems, but a driveline vibration (in a 35K car) is a major issue. Yes, my comments are negative because the car has given me many problems, which remain uncorrected.
The car has been back to the dealer 6 times in one year and spent a total of 12 days in the shop. I have called Acura and they are non responsive.
My last car was a Toyota Avalon and the car was absolutely the best. The car only went back to the dealer for inspections. If you want to hear something positive, I will positively trade my 04 TL on a new 06 Avalon.
By the way, Acura TL's from 1999 to 2004 have transmission issues. Many Honda products (cars and van’s) in this time frame have had their trans warranties extended. I have a new 2004 TL and it was recalled because the second gear was prone to overheating and cracking. I think they put in an oil-cooling device to lubricate the 2nd gear.
Do you want to buy my 04 TL?
Check the NHTSA websites, TL has the least complaint on tranny FAILURES/REPLACEMENT compared to INFINITI, BMW AND LEXUS
and actually the least complaint overall.
Yes there was a recall, but I like recalls, that means what would be a problem is being taken cared early.
IMO recall is just a prevention not an issue.
Yes I would buy another TL again!. Best value with the least problems. why not?
Do you want to buy my accord 97? I need an SUV
Not - the TSB has the dealer replace the AT fill cap with an external oil line/jet combination to spray the gears with extra AT fluid. It's not pretty but I guess it serves the purpose. Still, I'm glad that my new transmission didn't need to be modified like that.
Now I am just relaxed on it driving and listening to the nice audio. My ES is being complained to hell in their forum for tranny hesitation. I have little problem with it. Its paddle is not as quickly responsive as TL but no hesitation for me. These two cars are the best selling entry luxos, and if there're really something fundamentally wrong with them, they won't sell nearly as many.
So my advice to those sitting on the sideline like I used to reading these posts, test drive to believe, and talk to someones you know who own the car. My own feedback is very positive for sure. I am not saying it's perfect. There are a few gripes of mine: thick C-pillar/tall headrest&trunk challenges the rear view a bit; glove box is on the small side; doors are somewhat too 'springy', gear shifter (AT) is a bit notchy at times. All very minor and kind of subjective too. Another subjective one: This one looks hot inside and out!