CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1999-2003 Acura TL has a known & widespread defect with the transmission.

Honda fixed some vehicles with a recall in 2004 by changing the oil cooler return line. To settle a class action lawsuit in 2006, Honda extended the transmission warranty on some of these Acura TL's to 93 months / 109,000 miles.

Now these vehicles are past the warranty limit, so buyer beware.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,046 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Acura TL transmission problems

transmission problem

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2000 Acura TL Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #81

Aug 182011

TL 6-cyl

  • 133,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The remedy outlined in campaign 04V176000 did not resolve the manufacturers safety defect for my vehicle. Per the recall, my transmission had an oil cooler return line installed in December 2004 by sterling Acura of austin. I replaced the transmission fluid at 47000, 71000 and 107000 miles. In August of 2011 at 133000 miles, my vehicle suddenly started stuttering and hesitating when up shifting from first gear. The vehicle would also lurch forward due to unexpected down shifts at moderate speed. Depending on the traffic and driving conditions this could have resulted in a collision, luckily in my case it did not. However, other owners impacted by campaign 04V176000 may not be as lucky since it is likely a matter of time before their transmission eventually fails for the same safety issues raised in 2004.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #80

Mar 012009

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles
My Acura 3.2 TL model year 2000 has a defective automatic transmission as diagnosed by the Acura dealer. It was diagnosed in 2009 with mileage of about 129,000. It was out of warranty for the transmission warranty following the 2004 recall and settlement. I bought the car in 2003 as a certified used car from the Acura dealer. The car had all servicing conducted at the Acura dealer and was always up to date. A transmission inspection in 2004 showed no abnormalities and no action was taken by the Acura dealer. The Acura dealer says, because the transmission is out of warranty, it would cost $3500 to replace the transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Acura should pay for this, or at least institute a discount.

- Los Altos, CA, USA

problem #79

Feb 012011

TL 6-cyl

  • 157,000 miles
The transmission on my 2000 Acura TL was replaced at about 100,000 miles. Now again at 157,000 miles it is slipping again in second gear just like it did originally. The dealer told me that it is out of warranty and I am on my own to pay for the replacement of the transmission again at a cost of approximately $4,000. After reading all the similar complaints about the defective transmissions in the Acura TL, I believe that the company has just turned their head on all of us. Why is this not being handled by another class action lawsuit? a replacement transmission that fails at 57,000 is not an acceptable solution to the problem. If Toyota can get hammered for stuck accelerators, shouldn't Honda be fixing their transmissions before someone gets killed!!!

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #78

Sep 152009

TL 6-cyl

  • 101,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Acura has been sitting for over a year because it was having transmission problems. When I called the dealership regarding it slipping from 2nd gear they told me that its not covered the extended warranty was expired by about a month. In September 2009 I sold the car and was awaiting payment for the car and before I received payment the buyer returned the car stating that it had transmission problems. I had not received any letters regarding the recall and happened to find some information about the recall in January of this year. I immediately called to file a complaint to see if the car could be fixed but I was told that it was not covered. It had been in for a checkup by the previous owners and I believe some work was done. What can I do to get them to cover the transmission it only has 100,000 miles.

- Keizer, OR, USA

problem #77

Aug 102010

TL

  • 92,000 miles
There was a recall on transmissions for my 2000 Acura TL. In 2005 I had 86,000 miles on it and Honda replaced my transmission with a brand new one due to recall. Five years later I have 178,000 miles (92,000 on transmission) and I am in need of another transmission. My transmission is showing the exact same problems as it did five year earlier. Second gear slipping and discoloration. This time Honda/Acura will not replace or even help pay for a replacement which was also faulty. I also spoke to another person who had to put three transmissions in her 2000 Honda Accord. It is unacceptable for a company to replace a defect with another defected piece and not stand behind the replacement that was supposed to be fixed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #76

Jun 012008

TL

  • 100,000 miles
2000 Acura 3.2 TL VIN # [xxx] purchased 8/2004. 2008 the ignition key could be removed with the transmission in N position. This was the first time I had a major incident. Resulting in the car rolling into the closed garage door, causing damage to the bumper and garage door. Prior to this the car had rolled in a parking lot with the doors locked. Luckily it was not on incline and I was able to open the door and brake. This problem continues to date. On investigation I found this model had a recall for this problem. I called Acura and they apologized, stating it was not in the recall VIN #. I took the car to an Acura dealer, who verified the problem, called Acura, who again stood by their original decision..not in recall VIN #. the problem remains. I am extremely careful when parking to double check the car is in park, and brake on. Luckily I have not caused injury to property or person, however only to myself trying to unlock a rolling car and "jump" in to stop it. Following another "roll away" I called Acura today...they stand by their original decision. This car may not be in their recall VIN #, however, I cannot sell this auto nor trade it in knowing it may cause a serious injury to someone or something. I feel Acura should have corrected the problem with the initial complaint, knowing there was a recall. Why do I shut the car off in N. the transmission can be used manually or automatic. When in automatic position, and shifted up to park position, it will stop at neutral, needing to be pushed to R and up to park. Habit, be it bad, is when the shifter stops it is generally in park. I feel this problem is Acura's, and would appreciate any assistance you can provide. Yesterday I read Honda is now being recalled for the same problem. Thankyou.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

problem #75

Jul 022010

TL

  • 113,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission in my 2000 Acura TL will without warning drop to a lower gear locking up the drive train and send the vehicle into a skid. It happens so fast and with no brake lights a following vehicle could easily rear end my vehicle. This is a known problem with the transmission and Acura should be required to fix at no cost. Someone will lose their life.

- Micanopy, FL, USA

problem #74

Dec 262008

TL 6-cyl

  • 188,656 miles
D light was flashing, check engine light came on, very loud whining noise, transmission was slipping, rdi was on, problem occurs when driving. To correct the problem, removed overhauled and replaced transmission. Complete overhaul package, with, clutches, seals, rings, gaskets, bands, bushings, thrust washers, bearings, steel plates, fluid and filter. Recondition of torque converter, recondition solenoid. Customer paid for repairs out of own pocket, customer wants reimbursement, for repairs.

- Dickinson, TX, USA

problem #73

Aug 012009

TL 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,111 miles
2000 Acura 3.2tl. Consumer states transmission defect the consumer stated in August 2009 the transmission had to be replaced. The motor mounts had to be replaced twice. The consumer also mentioned that her two sons also have Acura 3.2tl's and they too have experienced transmission and motor mounts problems.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #72

May 012010

TL

  • 109,000 miles
2000 Acura TL transmission suddenly shift almost causing accident. Upon review found out this is a problem with many Acura Tls 1999-2002. Dangerous defect.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #71

Mar 202010

TL

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL and this car had a recall for problems with transmission. I had problems with my transmission in 2004 and Acura replaced the transmission. Unfortunately, they replaced it with another defective transmission and now the transmission has stopped working again. Acura is denying the service for my car stating its out of warraty time. Since they did not fix the transmission and just replaced it with another transmission that they know will break again after xxx amount of miles, I believe it is very unfair to us the consumers. I cannot belive that manufacturers like Acura can get away with things liek this. They simply put a bandaid on the problem and hoped that it will get them through the warranty period. I am hoping that you guys can do somehting about it as there are hundreds of people like me in this situation all over the internet looking for help! anything you can do to bring some attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated!

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #70

Dec 262008

TL

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. The drive gear on the warning panel flashed before the transmission locked and the engine stalled. He did not depress the brakes nor the accelerator pedal to cause the vehicle to skid. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the transmission failed. The torque converter was reconditioned and repairs were made to other elements of the transmission. Later, the contact found a recall campaign similar to the failures he experienced (NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000, power train: Automatic transmission). The manufacturer was contacted to seek reimbursement, however they stated that they were not liable for the failure or repairs made at the owner's expense because the previous owner already had recall repairs performed on the vehicle. He also stated that intermittently, while placing the vehicle in drive, any low gear or the park position, the gears would flash across the instrument console. The failure mileage was approximately 188,656 and the current mileage was 211,000.

- Dickinson, TX, USA

problem #69

Feb 022010

TL

  • 100,672 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) in my Acura 3.2 TL year 2000, it was found that this model has a defect that may result in the partial or complete failure of the automatic transmission at any speed. Following the class action lawsuit ([xxx]), the warranty on the transmission of this vehicle was extended to 109,000 miles. My car's VIN number is part of this recall. My car started to show signs of transmission issue at ~100,000 miles (another ~8000 miles left with the warranty). I noticed the slipping of gears, hesitation and downshifting of gears and the D5 indicator blinking. My family and my car pool partner, can attest to this issue. My coworkers have heard me talk about this issue. When the check engine light came on, I called the dealership and explained the symptoms, they suspected transmission and advised to also consult Acura under recall. I called Acura client service and he advised me to take the car to the dealer to get it checked under the warranty. The technician at the dealership drove the car at different times and couldn't reproduce the problem. This problem was intermittent, sometimes the check engine light would come on and after driving couple of times it would reset itself. Now the problem has become worst and the car is not drivable, dealer has confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. I filed a complaint with Acura, and they don't want to take any responsibility by saying the warranty has expired. I understand that the car now has dragged to 145K miles and has passed the recall limits but if the dealer performed corrective measures and did the test correctly when I took it under the warranty, I would not have this problem today. The bottom line is this model and year of the car has faulty transmission, I had the problem within the warranty period, reported and got checked. Since the check was not performed correctly, I would like Acura to take responsibly and fulfill the recall commitment.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #68

Oct 102009

TL

  • 77,000 miles
Transmission on 2000 Acura 3.2 TL failed last week auto has about 77,000 miles dealer and Acura main office says the recall has expired and that they are not obligated to do anything.

- Fort Washington, PA, USA

problem #67

Sep 012009

TL

  • 155,000 miles
Acura transmission problem.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #66

Aug 162009

TL

  • 116,200 miles
My 2000 Acura 3.2 TL out of nowhere started slipping and shifting gears while I was drivingone day. While I am driving my car the vehicle will suddenly slow down or jerk an slip after frequent stop and go's. after research I found that this is a problem in over a million Acura's, and after taking it to the dealer they refuse to fix the transmission because they are saying that it is out of warranty. But to me it is a safety issue that Acura should be required and obligated to fix. While driving anything could have happened to me, I the transmission caused me to have an accident who is to say whether or not I would be here rite now.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #65

Jan 032009

TL

  • 150,000 miles
I am writing because my Acura 3.2tl is vibrating and jerking bad in 2nd gear and I have not had it checked out because I have not received a recall letter about the problem but I am experiencing the transmission problems now and I am afraid of the safety issues it can cause or even death by crash.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #64

Dec 302008

TL

  • 97,547 miles
Transmission seem to vibrate severely when shifting in second gear I was told that this is under recall to be fixed free of charge up too and under 100,000 miles and it is under. I was shocked to hear the complaints on this but I was not aware due to Honda/Acura always standing by there product. Please tell me what I can do I heard gear chipping can result leading to transmission lock up and possible crash which can always result as fatal!!

- Valley, OH, USA

problem #63

Nov 012008

TL

  • 155,000 miles
My cars transmission is starting to act up by not shifting gears properly. When driving the car's tranny will suddenly lock up when the car wants to shift. For example im accelerating the car will stay at 20 mph the RPM will rise but the car wont speed up because it has locked. I searched for a recall on my car and there was a recall back in 2004 on the tranny. I gave Acura a call but they said they were unable to help me. I did a carfax report and no transmission change was ever done or reported by the manufacturer. I own a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL. This brings me to a great concern to me and my family sometimes on the freeway it will lock and sometimes it will speed up. Please help let me know what I need to do. I went to a mechanic who I personally know very well and is a family friend and he told me it is indeed the transmission.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #62

Aug 052004

TL

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Acura 3.2tl. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission). A technician installed an oil jet kit because none of the gears sustained discoloration. Four years later, the contact experienced difficulty when shifting into reverse. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle began jerking abnormally and the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that they would not assume responsibility for the failure because his vehicle was previously repaired according to the recall. The dealer also stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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