Acura TL Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "That way I should be getting out of the lease by the time the new TL comes out."

    You might be a year early, since most Honda models now have a 5-year life cycle.
  • mpotenmpoten Member Posts: 1
    I had a problem with lost memory of my presets in my new 2005 TL. The dealer had no idea why the presets were being lost. They called TechLine, and apparently the keyless memories (key 1 and key 2) not only tie to the seat position, but also to the radio presets and the climate control. The memory presets being tied to the keyless memory settings is NOT documented in the owners manual.
  • bhelsdonbhelsdon Member Posts: 134
    The driver 1 and driver 2 is connected to the seat, climate control, mirrors, radio, and all of the options that you select in the trip computer area. Just about every part of the car that you can personalize is tied to key 1 or key 2.
  • igibanigiban Member Posts: 530
    Mmm vent circulation mode and fan speed might not be linked to keys... and neither does steering wheel.

    But for radio setting even after driver 2 had used it, driver 1's key should bring back the setting for driver 1 but it sounds like sometimes that does not happen? Or it'd be lost w/o changing drivers at all. It did to me twice but recovered after a few more restarts. I still don't know why it happened. Hard to reproduce tho.
  • ceraulicerauli Member Posts: 44
    Thanks for your entry... dealership offered me a swap out for the Michelins for $300.00. I said "no"... I'm glad I did. I guess I will live with it.
  • bhelsdonbhelsdon Member Posts: 134
    I guess that I should consider myself lucky that my 04 Auto Navi TL has yet to give me a single problem. I have almost 30 thousand miles on it now and it has been perfect. I even purchased a blue tooth phone for it and that works like a dream. I wish you the best of luck in finding and correcting that problem.
  • archie1archie1 Member Posts: 11
    I swapped out for $160 and they wanted me to pay for installation - about 150. I said you cover install or I walk. They obliged. You could buy the Michelins now hold the Bridgestones and drop them back on when you return or sell the car. I did this on my Audi, drove them 20,000 miles took them off, threw them in the back of my garage and when I was about to return the lease I dropped those tires back on.

    I figure you get 30,000 or so miles on a set of tires and you can't return or sell a car with bald tires so this worked out for me very well. After all if you put about 12,000 miles per year on a car - then at about 30 months you need tires- and then your giving back fairly new tires 6 or 12 months later.
    Hope this helps. Archie
  • wolfman59wolfman59 Member Posts: 6
    YEAH BUDDY! I think MY whining noise is coming from the transmission because I can feel it in the gearshift knob. Also, when I take it out of gear, the noise stops. Acura changed my transmission too, but the noise is still there, (Only different), which tells me it is in the transmission. I have 20 pages of documentation, and am going after Acura to either FIX THE NOISE, or replace the car. (I bought it Dec. 29, 2004, and have only 1000 miles on it. I paid TOO MUCH for the car for it to be making noise. How about YOU? What is Acura doing to fix YOUR problem. (I'm glad to see someone ELSE is having the problem. I was beginning to think I was the only thing whining.)
  • wolfman59wolfman59 Member Posts: 6
    Took me FOUR times, but Acura tightened the door panel, replaced the door panel, and finally replaced the weatherstrip and window frame garnish. That "SEEMS" to have resolved the problem. STAY ON "EM, and GOOD LUCK!
  • wolfman59wolfman59 Member Posts: 6
    Oh NO! You are not thon only "lucky one". See my posting dated today.
  • tltltltltltl Member Posts: 2
    One of the tires in my 2004 TL is loosing air. I just made an appt w/the dealer to look at it next week. I've only had the car 10 mths with around 10,000 miles on it. Anyone no if I will be charged for the tire repair/replacement?
  • jd2005tljd2005tl Member Posts: 3
    See my post 2111. Supposedly the new module will fix it.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    May depend on how warm and fuzzy is your relationship with your dealer. My guess is chances are you're going to be out-of-pocket for the cost of the new tire.
  • ed31cincyed31cincy Member Posts: 56
    I'd take it to a tire store. Chances are, if you take it to the dealer, it won't be covered by warranty unless it is judged as a tire or wheel defect. The Acura dealer may charge a lot more for repair if not covered under warranty. A tire store, if they find a defect, will tell you. Then you can take it up with the dealer or tire manufacturer, depending on the problem.

    By the way, could it be a slow leak from a nail or screw? Normally, objects like this are picked up from the front tire and thrown to the rear tire where they cause the damage. I had this happen on my '04 TL about five months ago. A Goodyear dealer plugged it for $12 and it has been fine since.
  • mjarradmjarrad Member Posts: 1
    i have a 2004 tl and one month after purchase little spots started developing, they told me it was acid rain and I did not purchase the after market paint coverage, the dealer completely ignored the situation and told me I would have to deal with it, after contacting client services for about three months they repainted portions of the car, and dripped paint on my interior. good luck watch out for bird crap, it will burn right through that quality paint job.

    I am glad to hear that everyone's car rattles like a 91 honda with 150000+ miles on them, mine is ridiculous!

    I just noticed that there is no lube of anysort on my rear doors and they are noisey and hard to open.
  • chiangjchiangj Member Posts: 17
    For those who live in Toronto area, if possible, avoid using the maintenance service from Acura of North Toronto (North of Steeles Ave West, West of Yonge St). They put a dent on my 2004 TL after doing the 1st maintenance service (~7500km). They refuse any solid compensation except only repair it.
  • aaarghaaargh Member Posts: 230
    I'm just asking but, what more than having it repaired would you expect?

    If my dealer damaged my car, as long as it was repaired (and they gave me a free loaner while it was being repaired), I would be satisfied.
  • tedescm1tedescm1 Member Posts: 309
    No...It does not sound like the harmonic vibration that occurs at speeds of 48 to 60 mph.
    Although, many people were having vibration problems with the Bridgestone tires.

    My car has the harmonic vibration and I recently received a letter from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office regarding my problem. They contacted Acura and Acura claims the harmonic vibration in a characteristic of the 04 models. They said it’s not a problem. In other words, they are saying the vibration is normal (in that model) and we have to accept it. So much for ethics and morals.

    I thought Acura was a quality car company. Guess not!

    Good luck with Acura...your going to need it.

    PS: document all your problems carefully and save your invoices. You will need them if you plan on a lawsuit.

    :lemon:
  • chiangjchiangj Member Posts: 17
    You are really kind then. I think the work attitude has changed these day and most people don't really have much sense of responsibility in their mind.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I think in your case, your dealer did what was LEGALLY required -- and no more. But from a PR perspective, they blew it.

    I recall something similar happened at my dealer last year. Apparently one of the service guys dented a customer's TL against a post, and if I'm not mistaken, the exchanged a new car for him. But mind you, the car in question was newer, with lower mileage than yours. I think it had less than 3K km, if I'm not mistaken.

    Now, I'm not sure a new car is warranted in your case, but if I were the dealer, I would have offered you something in addition to repairing the damage. Maybe free service for a couple of years? A set of snow tires? Some accessories?
  • firstfazfirstfaz Member Posts: 4
    thanks very much - you are the only one to reply - it sounded odd to me as well and I will take your advice and contact acura corporate. again, thanks
  • chiangjchiangj Member Posts: 17
    Thanks for your advise. Your dealer is good please let me know which one and I can go for service.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    It's Burrard Acura in Vancouver. Since you live in Toronto, it'd be a bit of a drive for you! ;)
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    Hi bodble2.

    I'm considering either an '05 TL or possibly an '06 TL. Would you say Burrard Acura is the best dealer in the Lower Mainland area for both sales and service or is there a better one? Any experience with Acura of Langley?

    Thanks.
  • tmac1tmac1 Member Posts: 4
    I just bought my TL 05 MAN. W/NAVI W/HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES (BRIDGESTONE POTENZA). I HAVE ONLY 2500 MILES AND HAVING VIBRATIONS AT 60 MPH AND UP. I GAVE IT IN FOR SERVICE THEY BALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES BUT IAM STILL HAVING THE SAME VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS OF 60MPH AND UP. THE SERVICE TECH ADVISED ME THAT ALL '04 AND '05 TLS HAVE THAT CHARACTERISTIC AND IT IS DUE TO MY HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT I PAID EXTRA FOR. IS ANYONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS THAT TRUE ABOUT THE 04 05 TLS? IF SO WHAT DID YOU DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM?
  • dunitniftilydunitniftily Member Posts: 1
    Had the same irritating rattle in my '04. Took it to a dealer in MN for a fix, and haven't had a problem since. Have had outside temp go out, and batt went dead during this time, also. No problems with radio stations blanking..nor with any harmonic vibrations at any speeds..keep the Turanza's at 44psi..
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    No, I don't have any experience with Acura of Langley. Too far away! There are a couple of main reasons I went with Burrard Acura. First, they are owned by the same entity that owns Vancouver Honda. And since we've bought several Hondas from Vancouver Honda, I thought I'd stay "within the family". I've had some discussions with sales at Richmond Acura, but to me, Burrard Acura comes across as more professional. I have also found their service department to be very good. The TL is my second vehicle with Burrard Acura, so I guess it helps that now they are as familiar with me as I am with them. If you're interested in talking to them, put your email address in your profile and I'll email you to give you the names of the 2 sales associates that I've been dealing with. They worked as partners, and the bonus is that one of them has just been promoted to sales manaager. So it's like you'd have a direct pipeline to the top.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    44 psi? Are you sure? Your kidneys must have been taking a pounding! :sick:
  • tedescm1tedescm1 Member Posts: 309
    To Tmac1:

    Hi…

    I have a similar problem (among others). My vibration is between 48 and 60 mph. I took the car to three different dealerships and none of them were able to fix the problem. The Acura Company acknowledges the problem but will not fix or replace the car. They claim is a characteristic of the car. I thought the problem was limited to the 04 models but maybe I was wrong.

    If you go though the company they will recommend that you file a BBB complaint. This is an arbitration hearing sponsored by the Acura Company (not a fair deal). Do not go this route. Get a lemon law lawyer and file a private lawsuit. YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL LEGAL HELP IF YOU PLAN ON WINNING! If you go though the BBB and lose, it could be held against you.

    It will take about 1 year for your case to come up. If you win, and you :lemon: probably will, the Acura company will appeal the decision and drag out your case until you tire and trade the car in. Acura does not care about YOU!

    Good Luck with these creeps!
  • dwde12dwde12 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the reply. I actually had a second chip appear on the left side of the back bumper in a spot that would be nearly impossible for a rock to hit. The Acura dealer said it looked as is a rock nicked it, but to bring it back if anything else appears and they would have a regional rep come to look at it. It's been about 3 weeks and I have not not noticed anything else yet.

    I have not had any of the vibration, rattling or other issues that have been discussed on the forum. I drove the car from Cleveland to Detroit and back last week (about 350 miles round trip and it drove nicely).

    The brake pedal "clicking" sound has reappeared though and I have to take it back to the dealer again next week to have the brake pedal switch replaced. I'll provide an update after it's done.
  • nkeennkeen Member Posts: 313
    I continue to have a problem with the steering of my 2004 TL, which the dealer has been unable to fix. The steering effort is much higher when turning to the right than to the left. When turning right the steering really loads up; when turning left the car falls naturally into the turn. The alignment, front and rear, has been checked and adjusted, and is well within spec. The tires (EL42s) have been first rotated, then replaced. Any ideas? Thanks much.
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    Hi bodble2.

    OK, please e-mail me the names of the 2 sales associates that you've been dealing with. Thanks.
  • tmac1tmac1 Member Posts: 4
    To Johnnyxt:

    I am having the same problem with my 05 tl man. w/navi w/high performance tires (Bridgestone Potenza). I gave it in for service and it still has not been fixed, they advised me that all 04 and 05 have that characteristic. I think that is just absurd, I called Acura customer relations and they gave me a case number and said they would research it. Has your problem been fixed? If so how and what did you do to get it fixed? How do you know when your vehicle was built? Please advice asap!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks,
    Tmac1
  • aaarghaaargh Member Posts: 230
    I had similar symptoms in my '98 Grand Prix. It was the rack-and-pinion steering unit. Eventually the car was undrivable.

    The TL also has rack-and-pinion steering, so it could be that. Have they checked that out?
  • johnnyxtjohnnyxt Member Posts: 15
    Tmac1,

    Here is an update:

    I got me car back from the dealership earlier this week and the steering wheel still vibrates. The dealership called me yesterday to follow-up on how satisfied I was with their service. Needless to say I was not a happy camper. About 15 minutes after I spoke with the customer service rep, I received a phone call from the Service Manager. I spoke with Service Manager regarding my vibration problem and vented some of my frustration. The steering wheel appears to have two vibration issues: the normal exhaust vibration as it relates to the acceleration of the vehicle which does not bother me that much and appears to be exacerbated by a wheel balancing issue which causes the steering wheel to vibrate when the car is moving between 40-80 mph (vibration occurs even when I take my foot off the gas pedal). When I brought in my car last week for servicing, the wheels were checked on my dealer’s balancing machine and of course all the wheels were fine and required no adjustments. I asked the service manager whether they had a Hunter balancing machine. He said no. I told him that all of the other luxury brands (BMW, Audi, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.) use Hunter machines to balance their vehicles’ wheels and that Hunter is considered the “gold standard” in the industry. He agreed and even said that he might talk to management about purchasing a Hunter machine at his next meeting considering that most Acuras have high performance tires and that high performance tires are usually sensitive when it comes to balancing. The service manager offered to take my car to a “sister” dealership that has a Hunter balancing machine which of course I agreed to have done. Kudos for service! I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
  • tmac1tmac1 Member Posts: 4
    That helps alot thanks a bunch keep me updated, also can you let me know how can u find out how when your car was built

    Thanks
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I sent you an email this morning. Check your mail.
  • johnnyxtjohnnyxt Member Posts: 15
    Build date is March 2005.
  • monkeyvillagemonkeyvillage Member Posts: 3
    Wow, you are now joining the 2004 TL vibration problem Club. Usually the 2004 models had the problem, no one knows how common it is. After 11 months of us bringing the 2000 TL in trying to solve the same problem with Bridgetone tires, and constant runarounds, we finally called the Acura's 800 number in your warranty booklet. try it, it was amazing,especially after a year long runaround by the dealer's sales person, head of service and others (including that statements like "it is normal for this car"), the guy on the 800 number finally told what "appears" to be the truth - with the 2004 TL model there is a vibration problem that is related to transmission shifting at speeds above 55 mph. And that it is not usually a wheel problem. Acura has been working on a fix for a year and is presently in the safety testing phase. They have no idea when there may be a recalled, if any.

    On the other Acura problem site, try this www.acurazine.com
    many people complain. tires balanced many times, tires changes, etc. but no consistent cure. Your 05 model problem could be the same problem or not.

    another item - acura doesnt use the Hunter digital balancing system, which may do a better job of wheel balancing.

    http://www.gsp9700.com/

    That may be the answer for you. Good luck!
  • monkeyvillagemonkeyvillage Member Posts: 3
    Amen!

    We have a 04 TL for 11 months, 5 trips to fix the problem with Bridgestone tires at a dealership we deal with for 15 years - a good one. We met with area Acura rep last week. He was a real ball of fire. Did admit Acura was working on a fix but cant say if they would ever offer a fix. This problem is ruining their reputation. Many people complaining on this site and on acurazine.com would never buy an Acura again. or Honda. Are they nuts?

    contact consumers reports that gave the car the top rating.
  • monkeyvillagemonkeyvillage Member Posts: 3
    Whatever they do to correct the vibration problem, it will never work. nothing they do to correct a vibration problem will work. Call the 800 number from the warranty manual. if you are lucky, you will get the truth. there is a transmision shifting
    related vibration above 55 mph. they are working on a fix for a year and say they are now safety testing it. but dont know when or if it will ever be available, perhaps in a recall.
  • rambo303rambo303 Member Posts: 6
    I have two issues.

    I've noticed that when I'm on ramps entering freeways and I pound on the gas pedal I don't feel the "thrust" that I would expect from a brand new vehicle w/ 270 horses underneath the hood. I see the rpms up around 4,000 to 5000 and I hear the engine roaring but I don't see the increase in speed. I'm not sure why this is the case. I've driven toyota camrys' with more kick than my acura. Is this a direct effect of the vehicle stability assist (VSA) or is this the type of grade I should expect from honda engineering?

    My second problem may not be as severe as others on this site but, nonetheless I feel it is a problem. I have an 05/TL/Navi w/ 1650K miles; had it about a 1 1/2 months. I've used the wipers about a dozen times. I've recently noticed scratches on the windshield as if something was protruding from the wiper when I turned the wipers on. I checked for the obvious (debris, etc.) on the wiper/ rubber strip but did not find or feel anything. The scratches are quite the eye sore considering that I'm driving a brand new car. I'm thinking about going to the dealership to see if they will take a look or replace them. Anyone have any experience with this type of windshield scratch? Moreover, anyone have any suggestions as to remove windshield scratch?
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,583
    On my TL I've noticed "fragility" of the front window, i.e., it easily pits or or acquires dings from road debris.
  • humayunkhan1humayunkhan1 Member Posts: 7
    Wlofman59,
    I have a similar problem i.e. going especially high speed 70+ mph I hear a little rattle from the driver's side window. This is not consistent and typically occurs if the wind gust is hitting the driver's side. Pressing the driver's side window with my elbow seems to resolve the rattle. Would you be please so kind to tell me what finally resolved your problem. I live 100 miles away from the two closest dealers
    in Minneapolis. Was your dealer in Minneapolis?
    Thanks in advance.
    HK
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    Interested in a 05 TL but all this talk about a vibration problem has got me worried. For those of you on this board, does it only happen with the performance tires only or with all TL's when you go a certain speed.
  • old_guyold_guy Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2005 TL with less than six hundred miles. I've noticed a loud "clack" when shifting into reverse from neutral while stopped!! Has anyone else out there experienced this?
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I think that's normal. I think there is a similar sound when shifting into Drive, maybe not quite as loud as into Reverse.
  • tedescm1tedescm1 Member Posts: 309
    to:[kennynmd]

    it's not the tires...it's the drivetrain...or it could be both :mad: :lemon: :confuse: :sick: !

    want good advice..? ..buya G-35!
  • yrtl05yrtl05 Member Posts: 4
    My 05's front door rattling problem (compartments and windows) is gone now after being serviced by the dealer. They claim that the windows were "off" from the factory (OHIO) and was also told that there are lot of 05s out there with similar problem. Quality control issue rather than design/material defect according to the service manager. My cabin's quiet now but we'll see if it redevelops again.
  • igibanigiban Member Posts: 530
    Has anyone run into or heard of a 04/05 TL problem where a tranny's fuse can be burned upon engine start, which then causes engine/ABS/VSA lights on, in addition to D flashes, and some 20 codes generated internally, with a symptom that car can't speed up from stop?
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