2003 Acura TL Complaint Log

THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING OR BUCKING AS I TAKE OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTS INTO ANOTHER GEAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED PREVIOUSLY FOR A TRANSMISSION RECALL. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ACURA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,592. UPDATED 7/8/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. UPDATED 07/18/13

I OWNED A 02 TL FIRST AND REPLACED THE TRANS IN IT 3 TIMES WHEN ACURA SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT WELL THEY DIDN'T AND WOULDN'T HONOR THEIR WORK SO I PAID $3500 FOR ANOTHER TRANS THEN SOMEONE HIT ME TOTALED IT 3 WKS LATER! SO WE BOUGHT A 2003 ACURA TL THAT ALREADY HAD THE RECALL DONE IN JULY 2005 LITERALLY LESS THEN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASING THE CAR I WAS PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL ON WAY HOME THE TRANSMISSION WENT!! IT STARTED JERKING REAL BAD LIKE SOMEONE WAS SLAMMING THE BRAKES ON WHICH WAS SCAREY AS HELL BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO GET REAR ENDED OR CAUSE OTHERS TO BE IN ACCIDENT! HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER SHUTTING IT OFF TO TRY TO MAKE IT HOME BUT GEARS GOT WORSE AND WORSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON!! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY JUST DON'T FIX THE THINGS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND IF NOT HONOR YOUR LUXURY REPUTATION AND STAND BY YOUR WORKMAN SHIP!! NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO TOW IT TO ACURA DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL CONSIDER FIXING IT. THERE SHOULD NEVER BE ANY DOUBT WHEN THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS GIVE US ALL A RENTAL TO DRIVE AND REIMBURSE FOR TOWING EXPENSES!! I AM TRULY SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NOT A HUGE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST ACURA FOR ALL OF US THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS! IF SOMETHING WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR GOD HELP ACURA. I TRULY HOPE ACURA GETS SOME KIND OF REPERCUSSIONS FOR ALL THIS CUZ ITS JUST RIDICULOUS AND NOW I CAN'T GET TO WORK GET TO STORE NOTHING STRANDED YET AGAIN THANKS ACURA. *TR

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRANSMISSION IN 2004. I BOUGHT MY ACURA FROM AN ACURA DEALERSHIP IN MACON GA IN 2007. I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION IN 2013. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REFUNDED FOR MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS NEVER TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALL ANYTIME I WAS AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP NOR DID I FIND ANYTHING WHEN I LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER UNTIL AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALREADY FIXED. ON THE RECALL IT SAYS "IF HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT". I SENT ALL MY INFORMATION TO ACURA ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. *TR

2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER A FEW MORE MILES. BOTH OF THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED FROM BRAKING. THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD BROKEN AND WEDGED THE THROTTLE PLATE OPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND BECAME NUMB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK UP TO THE SPINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG BUT DID NOT INSPECT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG. THE CAUSE OF THE INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 04V-176 I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2012 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES SINCE. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION UNDER 40 MPH. IT DOES NOT ACT UP ALL THE TIME, BUT I AN CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE PRIOR OWNER NOTICED THE SAME ISSUES FROM TIME TO TIME. IT DOES NOT ACT UP ALL OF THE TIME. THE ACURA DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT MY MODEL DID NOT NEED THE 2004 RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THAT IS THE SAME INFO ON ACURA AND YOUR WEBSITE, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACCURACY. COULD YOU CHECK IF MY EXACT VIN NEEDED THE RECALL? AND IF REPAIR WAS NEEDED, CONFIRMATION THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR AND I KNOW THE 1ST OWNER OF THE CAR. ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW HAVE BEEN DONE AT THE SAME ACURA DEALER IN ST. LOUIS AND I HAVE ALL THE RECORDS FROM THE DEALER SINCE 2003.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD OF MY CAR. AS I DID SO, THE CAR ACCELERATED RATHER THAN SLOWED DOWN. MY CAR CONTACTED THE LEFT REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF MINE, AND AS I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR, IT AGAIN ACCELERATED. VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND STRUCK THE STONE WALL OF THE BRIDGE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE THROTTLE MECHANISM. "OFFICERS WITNESSED, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM INDICATOR QUICKLY RISE TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000/5,500 WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE APPLIED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE FLOOR AREA DID NOT EXHIBIT ITEMS, INCLUDING THE FLOOR MAT, WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY BE THE CAUSE." *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. ..UPDATED 10/03/12 *BF UPDATED 10/04/12

CPSC#1280657A. 2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS LEAKING A STICKY SUBSTANCE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE HOUSING. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL 2.5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS INDICATED A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) PREVIOUSLY. THE REMEDY REPAIR DID NOT SOLVE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL 2.5. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THEIR MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COOLER IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO RUN HOT AND SEIZE. THE CONTACT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD GEAR SHIFT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD USUALLY RESPOND SLOWER WHEN IT WAS OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LOW AND THE CONTACT REPLENISHED THE COOLANT, WHICH REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

A ROUTINE SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED HIGH RESISTANCE POINTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE SOLDER JOINTS IN THE SWITCH. THE HIGHER CURRENT DRAW IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHETHER THERE WAS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR THE SWITCH, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AT THE PRESENT TIME. REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A WET SURFACE, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE INJURED HER BACK, NECK, AND SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK DRIVING MY ACURA 3.2 TL ON THE SAME ROUTE I ALWAYS TAKE TO WORK AND MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I MADE MY WAY TO THE FREEWAY ON RAMP AND WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT USED TO STAGGER TRAFFIC ON THE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT WENT GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WAS VERY SLUGGISH, ALMOST THE FEELING THAT IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I GOT UP TO ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I WAS NEEDING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY. IT WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AND FLASHING ON THE DISPLAY. THERE WAY NO WAY FOR ME TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY SAFELY AT 35 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN A SOLID BLOCK OF CARS ARE TRAVELING 65 MPH +. THIS CAUSED A HUGE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC AND SEVERAL VEHICLES PANICKED AND CUT ME FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS COLLISION AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL OTHER COLLISIONS DUE TO THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NEVER FELT SAFE TRAVELING IN MY VEHICLE AGAIN AND ESPECIALLY NOT COMFORTABLE WITH TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHICH IS A VERY COSTLY INCONVENIENCE. COMPENSATION IS NECESSARY. *TR

WHILE ON FREEWAY IN THE MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN WITH THE TRAFFIC. WHEN TRAFFIC MOVED, THE CAR FAILED TO SHIFT INTO 3 GEAR. IT WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY AND UPON PUTTING IT IN PARK THEN BACK INTO DRIVE, IT STILL FAILED TO MOVE PAST 2ND GEAR. SWITCH TO 4TH SETTING AND THEN VEHICLE DID SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD BUT WILL SUDDEN JERK REACTION ONLY. FOR MOMENT THE CAR DID A QUICK JOLT AND I HAD TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON FREEWAY. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS RECALL WITH SIMILAR ISSUE OF FAILURE TO 2ND GEAR FOR MY CAR AND THE VIN IS PART OF THE RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. CAR WAS PROVIDED TO DEALERSHIP AND PICTURES OF THE 2ND GEAR WERE SENT TO ACURA WHICH DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION AS THE SECOND GEAR DID NOT SHOW SIGN OF HEAT WEAR EVEN THOUGH IT HAD FAILED. THE DEALER OFFERED A 40% GOODWILL FOR TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT REPAIR CHARGES OF 2750. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT ACURA HAS FAILED TO RESPOND CORRECTLY TO EXISTING RECALL AND LIMITED THE RECALL REPAIRS ONLY IF THE DAMAGE SHOWS SOME HEAT WEAR AND NOT JUST DAMAGE TO SECOND GEAR. AS VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT IN PERFECT CONDITION, I DO NOT SEE HOW THE VEHICLE WITH RECALL FOR 2ND AND 3RD GEAR CAN HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 69K MILES, WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OF US SHOWING THIS EXACT SAME FAILURE AND HONDA IS ACKNOWLEDGE OF BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BY ISSUING A RECALL AND HAS BEEN PATCHING THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF FIXING IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL WITH 96K MILES, I PURCHASE FROM AN ACURA DEALER IN JUNE 2005. IN DECEMBER 2011 ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED JERKING AND SLIPPING. USUALLY BETWEEN 3 AND 4 GEARS. WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE'S RPM WOUD GO UP, BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AND THEN SUDDENLY CAR WOULD SHIFT TO THE HIGHER GEAR WITH A JERK. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011 AND REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP RESPONDED BACK IN ABOUT 1 HOUR THAT MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE LADY AT THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST $5000. SHE ALSO TOLD ME SHE WOULD SEE IF SHE COULD GET A BETTER PRICE FOR ME, BUT I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. ON THE 23RD OF DECEMBER I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REPARED IT FOR ME AT A PRICE OF $2,630.32. THEY TOLD ME THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF MILAGE I HAD ON THE CAR I SHOULD NOT OF HAD ANY TRANSMISSION PROPLEMS. I FEEL THAT ACURA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE COSTS IN TOTAL DUE TO APPARENT FAULTY MANUFACTURING, IN ADDITION REIMBURSE ME FOR A RENTAL CAR THAT COST ME $120 FOR THE PERIOD I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP THANK YOU JW

TRANSMISSION BROKE ON 2003 ACURA TL S. SUCKS AS I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED N MAINTAINED SERVICES. *TR

THE FIRST INDICATION A PROBLEM MAYBE BEGINNING, WAS THE TCS LIGHT STARTING FLASHING FOR NO REASON. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHILE COASTING TO A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN SECOND GEAR, BUT DID WORK AFTER THE STOP. THEN THE CAR STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR. THAT IS WHEN I TOOK IT TO MULLER ACURA IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES RECALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND GEAR AND DID HAVE THE REMEDIAL REPAIR WORK COMPLETED AS RECOMMENDED BY ACURA. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 32 TIMES FOR A MULTITUDE OF REPAIR WORK THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS I OWNED THE CAR AT FAYETTEVILLE AUTO PARK, FAYETTEVILLE, AR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO THE WORK ON 10/19/11 IN MA @ 50MPH AND SUDDENLY THE CAR SLOWED DOWN EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR . I WAS LUCKY THAT ALL THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME WERE PRO-ACTIVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO AVOID A MAJOR PILE UP. I WAS TOLD AT THE ACURA SERVICE CENTER THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE . I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW CAN A CARS TRANSMISSION FAIL IN 5 YEARS . THE SAME CAR WAS PART OF RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION AND WAS FIXED IN 2005 BY ACURA (THIS INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED FROM ACURA CORP ) . I HAVE ONLY 51,700 MILES ON THIS CAR AND I AM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ON HOW NHTSB CAN ALLOW A COMPANY TO GET AWAY WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL ON SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PRESSURE, AND SENSOR. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR MONTHS AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V260000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE), THE SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,299 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,406.

AS I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AT 89MPH I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO SEE IF I COULD SLOW DOWN. WOULD NOT HAPPEN. PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND BRAKED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DEALER EXAMINED THE THROTTLE BODY THEY FOUND THE PLASTIC CAM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BROKEN AND THE CABLE FOR THE CRUISE HAD JAMMED THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. WHEN ASKED IF THAT PART WAS REPLACEABLE I WAS INFORMED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ~$500. THE ALTERNATIVE WAS TO REMOVE THE CRUISE CABLE AND TIE IT UP AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE BODY. SINCE THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE THEY HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS RARE. OOPS IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN TOWN I WOULD HAVE HIT SEVERAL CARS BEFORE GETTING IT SHUT DOWN. THE THROTTLE CAM IS MADE OF METAL WHERE THE CRUISE CAM IS PLASTIC AND BOTH ARE ON THE SAME BUTTERFLY SHAFT. JUST TO SAVE A FEW CENTS MAKES FOR A VERY HAIR RAISING RIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR PART OF THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

HI SIR, I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ABOVE USED VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN AUG 2011. IT IS INDICATED IN THE CARFAX REPORT THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL (#R55) FOR A/S DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR. THE "SRS" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED . WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GODSON ACURA AT 1750 E, AIRPORT FREEWAY, IRVING TEXAS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE. CAN YOU ADVISE ME ON THIS. IF IT IS A RECALL, SHOULDNT IT BE REPAIRED BY THE AUTHORISED DEALER? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2003 ACURA 3.2 TL. FLEET MANAGER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE *TGW THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, STATING THEY WOULD NOT GET PAID FOR THE WORK.*JB

UPON A NORMAL RECALL INVITATION FOR THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ( PER MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENT) A SEPARATE NORMAL INSPECTION WAS DONE TO VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE COLLAPSED. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF HONDA AND ACURA OF THE SAME YEAR AND SUV MODELS WITH THE SAME FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, IT DID NOT DISPENSE ANY AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT WIRING HARNESS BURNED WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWER TO FAIL. THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG RECALL. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE OBJECTS TO HAVING TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION AND DEFECT CORRECTION AND THEN HAVING TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

SUDDEN AND PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

2003 ACURA 3.2TL, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN IT LOST THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE GREAT LAKES PLAZA. *BF THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, LEFT FRONT ROTOR, LEFT FRONT FENDER AND UNDERCARRIAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0344-91)*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK OR THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 60MPH. PUSHED DOWN GAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE CAR ON MY LEFT AND SWITCHED LANES. CAR MADE GRINDING NOISE AND THEN ACTED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I CHECKED TO ENSURE THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I KEPT TRYING TO ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME DUE TO THE SUDDEN LACK OF ACCELERATION. I PULLED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND EXPERIMENTED WITH ACCELERATING SLOWLY. ONCE IT SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO UTILIZE 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN. I CALLED ACURA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP PAY FOR THE COST SINCE THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN IT WAS DEFECTIVE OUT OF THE FACTORY. IT WAS ABOUT 8 MONTHS PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ACURA WOULD NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST. MY MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR NOW DRIVES FINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND PAY $4500 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE LOCAL DEALER COULD MAKE A DECISION ON HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,900.

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL WITH 75K MILES, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR WHICH I PURCHASE FROM ACURA DEALER IN MAY 2002. IN JANUARY 2011, ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED JERKING AND SLIPPING. USUALLY BETWEEN 2 AND 3 GEARS. WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE'S RPM WOUD GO UP, BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AND THEN SUDDENLY CAR WOULD SHIFT TO THE HIGHER GEAR WITH A JERK. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AND REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP RESPONDED BACK IN A FEW HOURS THAT MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE LADY AT THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST $5000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND ACURA HAS AGREED TO COVER 80% OF THE COST. THAT MEANS I'D HAVE TO PAY $1230+TAX =~ $1345 OUT OF POCKET FOR ACURA/ HONDA'S FAULTY TRANSMISSION !!! THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LET ME TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DEALERSHIP AS THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY HANDED ME A LOANER FOR THE WEEKEND AND ASKED ME TO CONFIRM IF THEY SHOULD PROCEED WITH THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WORK BY MONDAY (FEB 7, 2011). ACURA SHOULD BEAR THE COMPLETE COST OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE LIFETIME WARRANTY. THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ARE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHT FAILURE. CONSUMER ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN FLAW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHIN THE SAME YEAR DUE TO A FAULTY INVERTER WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. THE INVERTER WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE. *JB

2003 ACURA 3.2TL-S WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES. CAR IS IMMACULATE. TRANSMISSION BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE ENGAGING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. I TOOK TO HONDA DEALER, WHO TOLD ME TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,200! THE TRANNY WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL IN 2004 AND HAD AN OIL INJECTION SYSTEM ADDED. BUT ACURA DEALER NOW TELLS ME THERE IS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS VINTAGE TL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND FAILED AT 54,000 MILES, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT,REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING AND SQUEALING AT 122,000 MILES. CONTACTED ACURA AND THEY ARE REQUIRING $1700 TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. DEALER ADDED STEERING FLUID AND NOISE DECREASE TEMPORARILY. STEERING STARTING TO GET STIFF, FEBRUARY 16, 2011. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 60,000 MILES .VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL .PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIR. *TR

DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CLUTCH DOESN'T ENGAGE SOMETIMES. TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, D5 LIGHT HAS STARTED BLINKING AND THE TCS LIGHT IS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY NOW. TOOK IT TO AN ACURA DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT HAD A SLIGHT MISS IN IT BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE LAST FEW DAYS WHEN IT STARTED SLIPPING SO BACK AND NOT EVEN ENGAGING. THEN STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR, THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY DON'T PLAN TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE IT AS A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT CLEARLY IS IF YOU READ THE REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD VERY BAD EXPERIENCES, SOME TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. A TRANSMISSION ON A VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER GO BAD THIS SOON. ACURA DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND PEOPLE (LIKE ME) DON'T HAVE $3,000 - $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 3 MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP WHO ONLY OFFERED A 30 DAY WARRANTY AND THEY AREN'T WILLING TO PAY FOR IT EITHER. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR STARTED JUMPING. WHEN I PULLED OFF FROM THE LIGHT I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD RACE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. ONCE I GOT TO THE NEXT LIGHT I TRIED TO PULL OFF BUT THE CAR JUST STALLED AND WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER. I BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY FAILURE LIGHTS SHOWING. THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAD ALL IT'S REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. ACURA RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AND IT WAS REPLACED AT APPROX. 47K MILES. I'VE PUT APPROX. 97K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE FOR THE SECOND TIME. I'VE CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS FOR ESTIMATES AND ONE SHOP TOLD ME THAT HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS IN 34 OTHER 2003 ACURA TL'S IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE. AND, ALL OF THESE WERE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE INITIALLY REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THEY PUT IN MY CAR IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS WARRANTIED UP TO 100K MILES. WHEN I CALLED IN FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ONE FOR 50K BY ONE DEALER AND THEN A SECOND DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ONLY FOR 36K. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH AN ACURA TL 2003 REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FROM THE HONDA MOTOR CO. (ACURA) WITH THIS ISSUE. ACURA HAS DONE NOTHING TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED WHICH CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK AND THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE CONTACT MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE UNTIL IT RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A TEAR DOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE 3RD GEAR CLUTCH PACK. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION SIMILAR TO THE 2ND GEAR BREAKAGE PROBLEM. THE DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED CLUTCH PACK WAS FOUND CLOGGING THE FILTER AND VALVE BODY WHICH CAUSED ERRATIC UNINTENDED DOWN SHIFTING AND POSSIBLY MULTIPLE GEAR ENGAGEMENT. UPDATED 04.22.11

MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME ABOUT A "SILENT WARRANTY" THAT ACURA HAD ON '03 TL MODELS THAT WAS EXTENDED 7 YRS OR 100K MILES. WHEW! I'M IN LUCK, I THOUGHT, I'M IN THE 7TH YEAR AND I HAVE LESS THAN 100K MILES! I TOOK IT TO ACURA WHO SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T COVERED WHEN ACURA ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. ACURA SAID THEY'D PAY FOR HALF OF MY TRANSMISSION AS GOODWILL, BUT WE'D BE OUT OF POCKET $1750!!! UNACCEPTABLE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. THE MORE I'VE LOOKED INTO THIS ISSUE THE MORE I REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WHO HAVE THIS SAME MODEL YEAR AND HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE ACURA ADMITS FAULT WITH THE MODEL. I NOW HAVE A LUXURY HONDA PAPERWEIGHT SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. CAN'T SELL IT, CAN'T TRADE IT IN AND REFUSE TO PAY THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. BAD FORM ACURA, BAD FORM!! I WON'T BE BUYING ANYMORE ACURA OR HONDA PRODUCTS THAT'S FOR SURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO GET LOOKED AT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NO LONGER WORKED. AFTERWARDS, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC; THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,592.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST TRANSMISSION POWER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 86,500.