Automatic Transmission problems of the 2003 Acura TL - part 2

The contact owns a 2003 Acura 3. 2tl. While driving 60 mph, the transmission locked up. The transmission was repaired under warranty. More recently, while driving 70 mph, the transmission came apart and spilled transmission fluid. Smoke was present. The contact pulled over and all the passengers exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they informed him that the transmission needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 81,000. Updated 01-16-08. The transmission was replaced again as a goodwill gesture. Updated.

My '03 Acura Tl is having the transmission replaced at 50,000 miles. Also the rotors are defective and warp causing me to have them resurfaced all the time.

Transmission locked up. I was riding on the interstate highway and the transmission locked. It just would not move and finally kicked into gear with a hard thrust. This went on an off, and I finally coasted ,and I was lucky not to be killed. I had the car towed to the Acura dealer ,and called the 800 number. They tell me vehicle was not part of recall due to VIN. Acura neede d to include all 2003 in te recall from the other complaints I read. I had 55 thousand miles, and have had all service done with Acura on time. Recall needed to be done, and I wa s waiting for the Acura service team that had the car to get back to me. My complaintwa s consistent with the other complaints I read.

Transmission locked up. I was riding on the interstate highway and my transmission locked up on me. It just would not moved and finally kicked into gear with a hard thrust. This went on an off and I finally coasted and I was lucky not to be killed. I had the car towed to the Acura dealer and called the 800 number and they tell me my VIN number was not part of the recall. Acura needs to include all 2003 in the recall from the other complaints I read. I have 55 thousand miles and have had all my service done with Acura on time. Recall needs to be don and I waiting for the Acura service team that has my car to get back to me. My complaint is consistent with the other complaints I read.

I was driving from ossining, NY to takoma park , MD , 260 miles on i95 when at 70 mph smoke started coming out of the exhaust and the engine compartment. The tachometer went up to 7000 rpms. I was using cruise control. I immediately touched the brake pedal to release the cruise control. However, I had no power from the transmission. I was fortunately able to coast to the right side shoulder from the left most lane of the highway and call onstar. Apparently the transmission had blown, and all the transmission fluid was all over the highway and the shoulder where I eventually stopped. The transmission was replaced at no cost to me. However, I was 160 miles from home. This was the second new transmission that has been replaced in this vehicle- once at 77000 miles and now at 10700 miles.

Purchased an Acura-certified 2003 3. 2tl in January 2007. Had abrupt shifting failure of transmission from 5th to 2nd gear at 35 mph today, 3/5/07, entirely consistent with other reports on this site. My wife has permanent spinal cord damage; and had she been a passenger in the vehicle, would more than likely have been killed by the unexpected jolt.

On 21 December 2006, I was driving our 2003 Acura 3. 2tl type s with an automatic transmission when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly decelerated violently from 50 miles an hour to a full stop. The tires were squealing as if the brakes had been applied. This nearly caused me to be rear ended by the car behind and could have caused a multi-car collision. After the incident, the car had no drive gears available, including reverse. After sitting on the side of the road for approximately 30 minutes, the vehicle could be driven in 1st gear only and I took it directly to the Acura dealer where it still sits.

The contact owns a 2003 Acura Tl. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced four times, including once when it was recalled. The last time the vehicle was taken to the dealer they worked on the transmission and stated that they would no longer warranty the repairs. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 90,795 and there is no current mileage because the vehicle has been sold.

After having my transmission's serviced in my 2003 Acura 3. 2 Tl type-s, I began experiencing various electrical problems in my car. I have had the oil jet kit installed and one replacement transmission. I am awaiting my third transmission. Since the work on my transmission various other problems have surfaced. My on-star is claiming I no longer am capable of having remote diagnostics done on my engine. Also, my srs light has come on as well as my check engine light paired with more sporadic shifting. I am constantly getting the "error code" reading on my radio and I have heard extremely loud echoing in my car when I attempt to make and receive calls via my on star communication service. I am beginning to question the computer system in my vehicle. I am hoping the there can be an investigation of the electrical circuit boards and the powertrain; transmission communication module to find out if there are computer problems directly correlated with the transmission problems. This is beginning to be quite frustrating. Together my girlfriend and I have bought and paid off five vehicles from the Honda motor company and are surprised at the way this issue is being handled.

Immediately following the purchase of my new Acura 3. 2 Tl type-s I began experiencing unusual jerking and shifting while operating my vehicle. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions to be serviced for this as well as due to the check engine light being on. Initially they stated they could not duplicate my complaint in comparison to other similar vehicles. I have already had the oil jet kit installed, and have also had the transmission replaced once. As I am filing this complaint my vehicle is currently at the dealer awaiting its third transmission. I have purchased three cars manufactured by the Honda motor company and am appalled at the continuous problems, inconvenience and safety issues pertaining to my Acura Tl. In addition to the transmission problems we have experienced we have had problems with our radio code after servicing the transmission and the dealer wanted to charge us $140 to enter the code or reset it. Also our on star remote diagnostics appear not to be working; on star is claiming we don't have them when we have utilized this service before. The service attendant and technician I spoke with at the dealer claims they aren't aware of any remote diagnostics being possible, despite the fact I have used this feature before to detect trouble. Being able to use this feature would be great considering all the problems I have experienced. I was driving home from vacation the car began to jerk and it appeared to be shifting and slowing while we were on the interstate fwy. I was fearful that the transmission would go out and that I would have an accident, so I proceeded to pull over and waited for assistance to get my family home safe. My car has now been in the shop for over two weeks. Yesterday I was told that due to a spilled drink in my car that they need $914 dollars to repair a faulty circuit board and replace the center council with the exception of the shift knob before they can get authorization for a third transmission.

I have the above vehicle, purchased new on 1/27/2003. At 55000 miles the car was recalled to add a second pump (at least that what I was told) in the transmission. From then on I have had a shuddering problem with my transmission when it up-shifted at low speeds. I was able to finally prove to the Acura dealer that there was something wrong with the transmission after 3 visits to the service department (curry Acura in westchester county, new york). They claimed that the transmission was replaced and that all was well. This was in 9/21/2005. However, after another 20k miles, I am having the same problem at a lesser level and I am sure that the dealer will claim that I am imagining the symptoms because they cannot duplicate them. In addition, I was told that the car will only be covered up to 100k miles. I now have 99k miles.

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle violently jerked as the automatic transmission shifted gears. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. After the initial replacement, the problem persisted and the vehicle was returned to the dealer for further inspection. The dealer determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was alerted.

On 8/16/06 while driving my 03 Acura 3. 2tl at 55 mph I accelerated to app 60 mph to pass a car. My car slammed from 5th gear to 2nd gear resulting in a violent jerk. It was so violent I thought I could have been rammed from behind by another vehicle. No warning lights. App 1 mile later going 45 mph the car violently jerked several more times as it apparently shifted from 4th or 5th gear to 2nd gear or neutral. Again quite violent and no warning lights present so I slowed down and continued on toward home. I traveled 2 more miles at 30 mph and experienced almost 12 more jerks before my warning lights started flashing. I then pulled over and sat for a moment. Then the warning lights stopped flashing and stayed on. I was only a couple of blocks from home so I waited for a break in traffic and pulled back onto the road. My car did not want to accelerate and continued jerking violently in and out of gears until I reached home. My car had previously (a couple of years earlier-July 2004) had a recall to place a oil spray jet on my transmission. I received no notice from Acura about another transmission problem or recall until I had this major problem and took my car in. My husband dealt with the service dept at southern motors Acura in savannah, GA. They replaced the transmission at no expense. My husband told the service mgr that he feared what happened could have caused an accident. He was assured that the people having 3 and 4 transmissions replaced was before Honda engineers figured out the problem and that I should not have another problem. He was told that they would extend my warranty to 100k miles or 7 years (not in writing). Since getting my car back with its "new" transmission, I believe my car has "slipped" out of gear once more but at a much lower speed. I am not confident that this problem has been adequately resolved and am concerned for my safety while driving this vehicle. I feel that Acura is covering up an issue that could cost lives.

The car lost power, the engine rpm red lined but the car would not go. It left me stranded in the left lane of a 5 lane highway. I coasted into the center lane. The car would not go. Fortunately the police pulled behind me and turned on their flashers. I turned off the engine, after a few minutes restarted the car and was able to slowly pull the car off the road. I was within a mile of my home and was able to get the car home and had it towed to the dealer. I found websites about 2002 and 2003 Acura Tl transmissions failing and being covered under service bulletin 04-020. Almost every entry described the exact problem I had. Acura extended the warranty to 100,000 miles for certain VIN numbers and was replacing the transmission free of charge under warranty. Unfortunately my VIN was not within the required recall. Acura said it was because they fixed the problem. Obviously they did not. The safety issue continues and I suspect you are receiving other complaints.

Acura claims my 2003 Acura 3. 2tl type s is out of the VIN# range that is covered by the extended 7/100k power train warranty to cover the defect in transmissions. I find out that the 03 I purchased a few months ago has had three different transmission replacements by Acura and now needs its fourth. They claim that since its not included in the VIN range of the warranty they won't cover it all and want me to pay $1200. Clearly the service history shows a defect with this car and transmissions. The Acura dealer diagnosed it and agrees I shouldn't have to pay, but the manufacturer doesn't agree. They still won't acknowledge that this vehicle should have been included in the VIN range of the TSB.

Faulty transmission. Acura recalled vehicle, but my vehicle did not fall under the "VIN" recall.

When accelerating onto the freeway the transmission malfunctioned leaving no power and creating a rapid decel while merging into traffic. Car was towed to the dealer and the transmission was found to be faulty. Further investigation indicates this is a common occurrence on Acura 3. 2 Tl, but the dealer denies any warranty coverage.

Currently own a 2003 Acura 3. 2tl with 31,000 miles on it. Transmission problem. Racing at 65 miles an hour without pressing gas pedal.

Consumer complaint regarding a defective Acura. The vehicle made a loud roaring sound and all the dashboard warning lights illuminated. ** answer required***. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no problem was found. The oil jet kit had been install previously under recall 04v1700 and the consumer believes this component may have failed again. The consumer believes the entire transmission should be replaced.

Vehicle is a 2003 Acura3. 2 Tl. The engine accelerates at random and while in park or in gear.

While driving approximately 45 mph transmission locked, causing vehicle to crash into a wall. The cause of why this happened was undetermined.

I own a 2003 Acura Tl type s. Recently I have been having transmission problems. I took the car into the cealership and they told me that I need a recall done. What they did was install an oil jet to lubricate the 2nd gear better. (2nd gear is the supposed cause of failure) . After the oil jet was installed the dealership informed me that I would need a transmission replacement. I was outraged. I have to pay out of my pocket because they have a design flaw. On the way home from the dealership the transmission flat out died. The car wouldnt shift gears and I have to drive it home in 2nd gear. I dont know what to do, I am in no financial position to replace the transmission.

Vehicle hesitated before shifting gear prior to the automatic transmission recall 04v176000 repairs being performed. But after repairs were done the problem became worse. Dealership has been notified. The dealer installed the oil jet kit per the recall. After leaving the dealer, the problem continued and became worse in a few weeks. The dealer was notified, but refused to fix the problem. The vehicle no longer drives in third gear.

I brought frist Tl in 2002 and at 2003 the car's transmission broke and I traded the Tl and bought new 03 Tl type-s in 2003. Then July of 2004, the transmission broke again with my new 03tl again. I almost got accident becase the car just shift it's gear itself.

Bucking and front wheels locked up momentarily. Highway speeds, very dangerous. 2003 Acura and now the dealers says they will replace the transmission. I was lied to when I bought this car, dealer said all 2003's were not inflicted. Now I found out different. My experience was scary. Recall now!.

While driving our 2003 Tl-s on the hwy, the car suddenly violently jerked and the transmission seemed to be failing. Sure enough I had the car towed to the dealer who informed me that the transmission needs to be replaced. I am extremely upset that my pre-owned vehicle with only 22000 miles has to have the transmission replaced. The car was very dangerous and could have caused an accident with the way it was causing whiplash. The company should do a recall on the transmission not just an extension of the warranty. So far we have experienced many of the complaints listed on the NHTSA website. We have had the tire sidewall bulge, which I had to pay to have the new tire replaced once it blew out on the hwy. We had to have the radio missfire fixed and now the transmission replaced within the last 6 months. This car is definitely not reliable.

The transmission in my 2003 Acura 3. 2tl type s has been replaced twice and is going back in on Monday for another check.

Failed transmission in both a 2002 and 2003 Acura Tls vehicle.

Sudden downshift of automatic transmission while driving in d-5 (5th gear) at approximately 60mph while merging onto highway. Momentary loss of control, regained when 5th gear re-engaged. Motor suddenly revved to near red-line causing torque steer feel and deceleration. Reviously notified dealer of transmission-related issues, was told "no problem found" at gettel Acura in sarasota, FL. Plan on taking vehicle back to shop again.

While having an oil change performed, the dealership noticed an oil leak. The oil was leaking through the transmission casing. The dealership indicated that the casing was faulty and replaced it with a previous manufactured part. This was a common problem in these vehicles. 20% of the cast transmission casing was defective. The consumer felt that he did not need a new transmission with less than 3k miles. The consumers extended warranty was excluded.

While driving approximately 55 mph in fifth gear, the transmission automatically shifted into second gear without assistance. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was related to the transmission,current mileage-54000.

I bought an Acura 3. 2tl type s in July 2003. The vehicle is 3 months old with 4,000 miles on it and it is having the transmission replaced. I was not aware of this problem when I purchased the car, nor was I told about it when I inquired about recalls, since this is not an official "recall. ".

Acura 2003 Tl transmission defect. First failure transmission locked up at speed of 70 mph happened 6 times . Transmission replaced. Second failure transmission locked up going 55 car following behind me crashed into me . Signifigant injurie's resulted from this crash that involved 3 vehicles. I have reported this info to "this" site 3 times and go back to find my submission and it mysteriously dissapears! Honda Acura's recent safety recall for this transmission defect keeps claiming there are no crashes or injurys' as a result of this defect . This is false !!!! I know of atleast 3 other incidences that involve injury's due to the severe defect that causes the transmission to lock up with out warning!.

Two transmissions in my 6 month old in my Acura 3. 2 Tl . The first failure consisted of my tranny locking up while traveling at 65mph or more and almost throwing me through the windshield. The tranny was replaced with a new one. The snd occurence consisted of my tranny locking up in lunch hour traffic ,traveling around 55 car behind me was not prepared for the lock up slammed into me, police report and injurie's sustained that are still ongoing. This is a deffinate safety issue alway's has been ,if a car stalls on the highway ,there is no question that it is a safety issue ,this is worse then an engine stalling,there are no brake light's ,it all happnes too fast ! who decides what is a safety issue? I'll tell you the people who dirve these and have had accident's or near death expieriences.

Have taken my 2003 Acura Tls into the dealers approximately four times for the same problem. Dealer states they cannot do anything because they cannot duplicate the problem. While driving the gas pedal self-depresses and locks, but the car feels as though it has shifted itself into neutral--leaving me no alternative but to cruise to the side of the road until the gas pedal 'pops' itself up and I regain control of the car.