2002 Acura TL complaints

TRANSMISSION FAILED - COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. ACURA KNOWS ABOUT THE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS BUT NEVER DID A RECALL AND WILL NOT PAY TO FIX. *TR

2 TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 10/2003 AND 3/2004 WHICH WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING, TRANS SLIPS IN & OUT, LIKE ITS FLOATING, AND STEPPING ON THE GAS AND GOING NOWHERE. I FOUND THAT WHEN I PULL OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, THEN RESTART AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THE CAR WILL DRIVE FINE ONCE YOU PASS 45 TO 50MPH. WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN AFTER THAT, IT ACTS UP AGAIN. PREVIOUS 2 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHERE REPLACED BUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA 3.2 TL. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 15,000 MILES AND THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE WAS ALSO REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF THIRD GEAR INTO SECOND OR FOURTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. HE HAD TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO THE CORRECT GEAR WHENEVER IT SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. HE ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ONLY SLIPS IN 3RD GEAR. UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB UPDATED 07/08/10 *BF UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB

I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS CAR (FROM 3.5 MILES ON THE ODO) AND MY 2002 ACURA TL-S HAS THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION (ACCORDING TO ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT) AND STARTED SLIPPING AT 75,000 MILES ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. THE ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TESTED THE CAR DURING AN AIRBAG RECALL AT THAT TIME AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SLIGHTLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. NOW, 4 YEARS LATER AND AT 166,500 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING MORE NOTICEABLY AND MORE FREQUENTLY (ONCE IN ABOUT EVERY 3 TIMES). ACURA CARLAND OF DULUTH, GA HAD ME TAKE OFF WORK EARLY AND DRIVE ONE HOUR TO SEE THEM AND CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. ONCE I DROVE ACROSS TOWN IN SEVERE RAIN AND BROUGHT IT IN, THEY DISMISSED ME WITHIN 5 MINUTES WITHOUT EVEN TESTING OR DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE "IT HAD TOO MANY MILES." THEY COULD HAVE EASILY TOLD ME THAT OVER THE PHONE. I COMMUTE TO WORK 120 MILES ROUNDTRIP EACH DAY AND I FELT I DIDN'T GET THE TIME AND RESPECT THAT I DESERVE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME IF I SHOULD REPLACE THIS RIGHT AWAY OR IF I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SAVE UP FOR THIS $4000 REPAIR OF A TRANSMISSION THAT SEVERAL ACURA SERVICE AND SALES DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME HAD FLAWED DESIGN AND PARTS WHICH WERE SOMEWHAT MODIFIED IN FUTURE TRANSMISSIONS WHICH I FEEL I AM EITHER ENTITLED TO EVEN IF I HAVE TO BEAR SOME PORTION BUT NOT ALL OF THE COST. *TR

I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ACURA'S LACK OF CONCERN OVER THEIR HORRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE ACURA TL 2002 MODEL. MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY BE IN GEAR AND NOT ACCELERATE, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED BETWEEN 137,000-138,000 MILES. ACURA ALLEGES POWER TRAIN UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT HAVE REQUIRED UPGRADE. *TR

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 GEAR CONTACTED ACURA DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE TO GET FIXED. REALLY UNHAPPY WITH ACURA. ALWAYS WAS A ACURA PERSON UNTIL NOW WHEN I BOUGHT ACURA TL 2002 ONE YEAR AGO. HAVE 125000 ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY IDEA THAT TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT. I WAS READING AND NOTICE EVEN AFTER DEALER CHANGING TRANSMISSION THEY STILL GO OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AND AT TIMES, IT WOULD BECOME STUCK IN GEAR. HE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND SLOWLY BECAME MORE FREQUENT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY 80% OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,600. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,500.

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING MY 2002 ACURA 3.2 TL. ON OCTOBER 8TH, 2009 (WHICH WAS A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT) I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE ISSUE CHECKED OUT AND CORRECTED (HALL ACURA LOCATION #7 IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA.) AFTER THE DEALER LOOKING OVER THE CAR THEY CAME TO ME WITH A LIST OF ITEMS THAT SUPPOSEDLY NEEDED TO BE DONE. ALL BUT 1 ITEM HAD BEEN DONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST CLUE THAT THIS WAS A SHADY DEALER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THEY COULD GET ME A RENTAL CAR AND HAVE THESE ITEMS FIXED PLUS FIX THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. OF COURSE I DID NOT GET THE EXTRA WORK DONE SINCE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD BE 2 WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY THAT THEY COULD HAVE HAD THE SAFETY RECALL FIXED IF I WAS WILLING TO SPEND MONEY ON UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. WELL TO GET TO THE ISSUE IT IS NOW 2 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CORRESPONDENCE WHETHER PHONE, EMAIL (WHICH THEY ARE ALWAYS EMAILING INCENTIVES TO BUY ANOTHER CAR). THIS IS VERY DISTURBING SINCE THE CAR IS DRIVEN BY MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS. IF YOU COULD PLEASE GET ON TOP OF THIS AND LET ME KNOW WHAT MY NEXT STEPS ARE. I HAVE A VERY BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH WITH THIS DEALERSHIP. I HAVE DEALT WITH THE PENINSULA HONDA FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH MY HONDA ACCORD. THE FUNNY PART IS THE CAR WAS BOUGHT AT HALL'S ACURA DEALERSHIP IN CHESAPEAKE VA. *TR

A CHEMICAL LEAKED FROM REARVIEW MIRROR AND DAMAGED THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING A 120 DEGREE CRASH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND UNDERWENT PHYSICAL THERAPY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,364. UPDATED 08/20/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB

IT IS SCHEMING AND UNDERLYING OF AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. ACURA AUTOMOBILE DIVISION; BEING AWARE THAT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL NUMBER OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE HAVING PROBLEMS BEYOND A CERTAIN MILEAGE, AND A NON-ACTION TO HAVE A FULL RECALL ON ALL MAKE/MODELS TO THE EFFECTED VEHICLES IS CERTAINLY UNDERLYING LEAVING ACURA OWNERS WITH THE BILL WHILE THE COMPANY COLLECTS PROFITS FOR IT'S DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION. KNOWING THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN 2004 ACURA DID NOT AND HAS NOT FOLLOWED UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE, NOR DOES IT SAY ANYWHERE THAT THEY HAVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITHOUT A WARRANTY ON FEBRUARY 25, 2009. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. DURING THE SHAKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SHAKING OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN OR RESTARTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING OR EITHER THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

2002 ACURA TL HAS RECURRING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER CHOSE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. *JB

MY WIFE WENT OUT TO USE OUR 2002 ACURA TL TODAY AFTER IT SITTING FOR A FEW DAYS. THE CAR IS PARKED UNDER A CARPORT EITHER AT OUR HOME OR OFFICE. SHE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF UNREMOVABLE HARDENED LIQUID LEAKAGE AROUND THE SHIFT LEVER THAT HAD ATE AWAY AT THE PLASTIC PARTS AROUND THE SHIFT LEVER AND CAUSED SPOTTING ON THE LEATHER. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANYTHING DRIPPING AT THE TIME I LOOKED BUT I COULD SEE THERE WAS AN OVAL IN THE CENTER OF THE MIRROR THAT WHEN YOU PRESSED IT, YOU COULD SEE THERE WAS LIQUID INSIDE. I FOUND A WEBSITE SEARCHING FOR "ACURA REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING" AND NOW SEE THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICE THAT APPARENTLY: 1. THE MIRROR MANUFACTURER (NOT ACURA) WILL REPLACE THE MIRROR WITHOUT CHARGE BUT NOT INCLUDING THE LABOR 2. ACURA SEEMS TO WANT TO AVOID ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WHICH I FEEL IS WRONG! 3. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS PERMANENT UNLESS THE PLASTIC PIECES ARE REPLACED AND THE LEATHER IS EITHER CLEANED OR REPLACED. THE PLASTIC SEEMS TO BE EATEN AWAY LIKE THE LIQUID WAS A SOLVENT. THE SPOTS ON THE LEATHER ARE NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED (I HAVEN'T TRIED MYSELF YET) ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE READ. 4. THE LIQUID THAT LEAKED IS OBVIOUSLY NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH AND AS ONE PERSON NOTED, GOT SICK AND CONFIRMED THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN THE LIQUID. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW

ON THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2008, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON MY 2002 ACURA 3.2TL CEASED TO OPERATE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM REVEALED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS, WHICH CONNECTS TO THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR, HAD SEVERELY "MELTED" TO THE RECEPTACLE THAT IT PLUGS INTO ON THE BLOWER. IT APPEARED AS IF THOUGH A SHORT HAD OCCURED WHICH CAUSED THE WIRES AND CONNECTOR TO MELT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN UNECESSARY FIRE WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHILE IT'S BEING OPERATED. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, I PURCHASED A NEW BLOWER MOTOR AND HARNESS FROM MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. BOTH OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. DIGITAL PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL. *TR

OCCASIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, SLOW TO DOWNSHIFT UPON BRISK ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN MARYLAND, ON A SMOOTH STRETCH OF ROAD, THE SCREW HOLDING THE MASTER CYLINDER BRACKET ONTO THE ROTOR CAME OFF OF THE BRACKET AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE UNIT CAME WEDGED INSIDE OF THE RIM PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STOPPING PROPERLY. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A SLIDING STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE IT WAS INOPERABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED TO INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THREADS ON THE INSIDE OF THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE SCREW WERE GONE. THE ONE SCREW THAT DID STAY ATTACHED TO THE PIECE HAS THE INSIDE OF THE THREADS ATTACHED TO IT. *TR

REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILURE - THE MIRROR FAILED TO HOLD A TOXIC FLUID AND IT LEAKED ON THE CONSOLE OF THE CAR. THE CONSOLE WAS DAMAGED BY THE LEAKING FLUID (MIGHT BE ACIDIC OR SIMILAR). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, TURNING THE CORNER THE AXLE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED IF THE CONTACT DROVE OVER ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS FIVE YEARS OLD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE COST OF REPAIRS WERE $2400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 91,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA 3.2TL. A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE DATE, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. ON APRIL 11, 2008, THE CONTACT'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK VIOLENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007 THERE WAS A SUDDEN, COMPLETE, AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 2002 ACURA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT FIVE TO TEN MILES PER HOUR ON A SIDE STREET IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AS A RESULT OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT DIGGING INTO THE PAVEMENT AND THE RIGHT FRONT STEERING TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS. IF THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR, RESULTING IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY. ACURA'S RESPONSE WAS TO IGNORE THE COMPLAINT. THE ACURA WEB SITE NOTED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN 1996, 1997 AND 1998, AND THAT THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED UNDER THOSE RECALLS. I IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED ACURA BY FAX THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 20TH AND BY A FOLLOW UP LETTER OF JANUARY 23, 2008. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED WAS A TELEPHONE MESSAGE THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 20TH FROM A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND A LATER PHONE CALL BASICALLY DISCLAIMING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM OR RESULTING DAMAGES. I HAVE COPIES OF THE REPAIR INVOICE TOTALING $1,912.52. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE NECESSITATED BY THE FAILURE. THE LEFT STEERING KNUCKLE WAS REPLACED AS WELL BECAUSE IT WAS A SEALED UNIT, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT INSPECT IT AND COULD NOT ASSURE ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT SUFFER THE SAME CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I PROVIDED ACURA WITH PHOT

ONE OF THE TIRES HAS A SIDEWALL BUBBLE. I LOOKED AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KUMHO TIRES. I WENT TO THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM AND THEY SAID THAT I WAS THE 4TH PERSON THERE THAT DAY WITH KUHMO TIRES THAT HAD SIDEWALL BUBBLES. ALSO, THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT MUCH FASTER THEN THEY SHOULD BE. LUCKILY I CHECK OUR FAMILY TIRES ONCE A MONTH. IF SOMEONE DOES NOT CHECK THEM THESE SIDEWALL BUBBLES COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THESE KUHMO ECSTA ASX TIRES. *TR

LACK OF A/C AND HEAT. BLOWER MOTOR, RESISTOR CONTROL, AND CONNECTOR BURNED OUT. CONNECTOR SHOWED SIGN OF MELTING. *TR

MY 2002 ACURA 3.2TL WITH 77,440 MILES WAS IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AT A GOODYEAR GEMINI STORE, WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT ALIGN IT BECAUSE MY LOWER BALL JOINTS WHERE LOOSE BY ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH. SO I CALLED THE LOCAL ACURA STORE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS COMMON. SO I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR IF I SHOULD CHECK WITH PARTS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS IN STOCK? HE SAID NO I KNOW THEY HAVE THEM BECAUSE WE DO A LOT OF REPLACEMENTS OF THE BALL JOINTS. HE DIDN'T SAY IT SHOULD BE A TSB, BUT IF THEY REPLACE THAT MANY FAILED BALL JOINTS MAYBE IT SHOULD BE A TSB. I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, AND I AM IN THE AUTOMOBILE LEASING BUSINESS, SO I KNOW SOME THINGS ABOUT CARS. I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO GO OUT. VERY HARD SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR, THE CAR WILL JERK WHILE DOWN SHIFTING AROUND 40MPH. NOW THE D5 LIGHT IS BLINKING. FLATIRONS ACURA TOOK MY CAR FOR A 6MILE DRIVE AND THEN HANDED ME THE KEYS BACK AND SAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS. EVERY TIME MY FAMILY IS RIDING IN THAT CAR OUR LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CODE READING PO470 WHICH ACURA SAYS ITS MEANS TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE AND ONLY 12K MILES FROM A RECHECK UP BY ACURA ON THE TRANSMISSION SAYING THE METAL FLAKES IN THE CASE ARE NORMAL. I THINK THERE IS A COVER UP TO THESE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTS FROM CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. ACURA CAPPED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT FAILS THE SAME WAY AND THE SAME GEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY BEFORE, THEREFORE, THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR FREE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR WEEKS, BUT DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE TAKING A LONG TIME TO ORDER. THEY WOULD NOT RETURN THE CONTACT'S PHONE CALLS. THE DEALER STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT CALL HER BACK AS WELL. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,188.

THIS IS MY THIRD TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 ACURA 3.2 TL-S. EVERYTIME, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION, ACURA ALWAYS GIVE ME HARD TIME TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM. AND NOW, MY TRANSMISSION STARTS GIVING ME THE SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE AGAIN. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE CAR, FROM 65 MPH TO 45 MPH OR 45 MPH TO 25 MPH, THE GEAR WILL NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL BE IN NEUTRAL STATE AND WAIT UNTIL THE CAR REALIZE WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE BEFORE IT PUT INTO GEAR. SCARSDALE ACURA, VALLEY STREAM ACURA, SMITHTOWN ACURA, AND PARAGON ACURA DO NOT ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND INFORM ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT LIGHTED AND THE D5 LIGHT IS NOT BLINKING. WESTCHESTER ACURA ADMITS THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHANGED MY TRANSMISSION TWICE, BUT THEIR SERVICE IS HORRIBLE, SO I DO NOT WANT TO BRING MY CAR BACK TO THEM FOR MY CURRENT PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED CALLING ACURA, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, SINCE THEY CANNOT SEE THE ACTUALLY AND THEY CANNOT CONTROL WHAT THE DEALER CAN DO. I AM AT THE POINT THAT I COULD GET HELP AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO; IN THE MEAN TIME, I AM AT RISK OF MY LIFE BY DRIVING THE CAT WITH THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *JB

MY TRANS. WAS REPLACED IN 2003 BECAUSE OF A SHIFTING PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND IN 2006 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A RECALL, BUT WHEN I INFORMED MCGRATH ACURA THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED, IT WAS DENIED. I ALSO COMPLAINED OF A CLICKING NOISE IN THE RADIO THAT WAS NEVER LOOKED IN TO WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR TRANS., APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WHERE THE PINS WITHIN THE 6CD CHANGER GO BAD, BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE A RECALL. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BUBBLING MICHELINS. I HAVE HAD THREE BLOWOUTS AND HAVE FINALLY REPLACED THE TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND, WHICH I THINK IS UNFAIR. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ORIGINAL ROTORS FOR WARPING. MY PAINT SEEMS TO BE CHIPPING REALLY BAD AND IT HAS BEEN SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT NOT RETRACTING. *TR

2002 ACURA 3.2 TL HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION. *CC WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME OF REPAIR THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. *NM

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 ACURA TL (75000 MILES) SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT 50 MPH. I NEARLY SMASHED MY FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS FORTUNATE TO AVOID STRIKING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IMMOBILE AT RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS PREGNANT. THE CONTACT AND THE UNBORN BABY WERE INJURED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVACUATED THE CONTACT TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL # 01V166002 CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPLACE THE REQUIRED PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LETTER.

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE. CAR STILL NOT RUNNING RIGHT. NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT SPEEDS BELOW 20 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. TWO YEARS LATER, THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED FORWARD, BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE SECOND GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, UNDER RECALL, #04V176000. TWO YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THEN WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE THE GEARS BEGAN SLIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE DEALER. THE FIRST TIME, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER DUE TO A RECALL, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, CONTROL MODULE TCM, AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ID #04V176000 WAS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM YET. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V176000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE NEEDED NEW ENGINE MOUNTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR ON OUR WAY TO DROP OFF OUR CAR AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IN TO 2ND GEAR LUNGING US FORWARD. LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE SLOW LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER AVOIDING AND ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO ACURA AND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN. SINCE THAT INCIDENCE WE HAVE HAD AN ADDITIONAL 2 TRANSMISSIONS PUT INTO THE CAR. ONE ON 11/8/04 AND THE MOST RECENT 5/24/06. *JB

AT AROUND 50,000 MILES, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS SECOND TRANSMISSION STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GEAR SLIPPAGE AT AROUND 10,000 MILES. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I AM JUST BLOWN AWAY THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD BE HAPPENING IN A "NEW" TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2002 TLS HAS HAD SOME ISSUES, BUT WHAT GUARANTEES THIS NEW REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WON'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAGE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED.

I OWN AN ACURA TL TYPE-S AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING OUT. THE DEALER KEEPS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIX. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACE 3 TIMES. *JB

TRANSMISSION JERKING, SLIPPING.. REPLACED FOR INTERNAL FAILURE. NOW ACTING FUNNY AGAIN 4000 MILES LATER. *NM

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE OWNED A 2002 ACURA TL-S SINCE IT WAS INITIALLY PURCHASED. WE KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 100,000 ON THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER SINCE THEN AT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSIONS HAS HAD FAILURES. I AM ON MY 3RD TRANSMISSION AFTER 2 REPLACEMENTS. WE ARE AT ABOUT 78,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE HITTING 90,000 MILES SOON. THIS WILL BE IN ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS. THE FACT THAT ACURA JUST RE-CONDITIONS THE TRANSMISSIONS AND PUTS IT BACK IN IS REALLY NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING WITH THE THOUGHT THAT THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WILL GIVE OUT SOON AGAIN. THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LISTED THIS ON AUTO FORUMS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. ACURA NEEDS TO REALLY FIX THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN OR GIVE A MUCH BETTER TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. THEIR PRACTICE OF SIMPLY RE-CONDITIONING FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND PUTTING THEM BACK IN IS NOT THE SOLUTION. YOUR ASSIATNCE IN GETTING A PROPER RESOLUTIONS IS APPRECIATED. *NM

SRS LIGHT CAME ON FOR 4TH TIME; ACURA 3.2TL 2002. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND HE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONTACT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIRS. . THE RECALL REPAIRS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

2002 ACURA TL-S THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR. TRY TO REPORTED TO VALLEY STREAM ACURA, VALLEY STREAM, NY RESPONSE: THE PROBLEM DOESN'T SHOW UP TOO OBVIOUS, PLEASE DRIVE IT ON SECOND GEAR AND BEAT ON IT UNTIL IT BECOME MORE OBVIOUS. WENT TO PARAGON ACURA, NORTHERN BLVD, QUEENS, NY RESPOND: NO PROBLEM FOUND, YOU STILL HAVE 35000 MORE MILES TO DRIVE UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS OVER. SO DON'T WORRY AND KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL IT NEARS TO 100000 MILES. WENT TO CURRY ACURA, SCARSDALE, NY RESPONSE: IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS LEAKING IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT OR TEST IT, BRING THAT BACK TO PREVIOUS ACURA FOR THE PROBLEM. CALLED ACURA CLIENT SERVICE: RESPONSE: PLEASE TRY OTHER LOCAL DEALERS BEFORE YOU CALL BACK AND FILE THE COMPLAINT. THEY SUGGEST ME TO GO TO MANHATTAN, ROLYSN, BROOKLYN FIRST.*JB

SRS LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE THE ACURA EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ALL TELL ME THAT THE SRS LIGHT IS NOT COVERED FOR 02 BUT IT WAS FOR 03? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF NO ONE WILL HONOR IT? *NM