The Acura TL is a mid-size luxury car from Honda’s luxury division that debuted in 1996. The Acura TL was named the “3.2TL” after its 3.2-liter engine during its second generation of production (1999 to 2003). Potential buyers–as well as owners–of the 3.2TL should take note of its common transmission problems. (See photos on the right of an actual 2002 Acura TL Transmission, out of the vehicle and being disassembled for rebuild.)
Affecting about 2% of the TLs from model year 2000 to early 2003 (those only with VINs less than xxxxxx19000), the TL transmissions have been known to fail. Acura had extended the warranty on the transmission to 7 years for those TLs affected, which expired in early 2010. There are still many 2002 Acura 3.2TL’s out there with transmission problems, so what do you do if you have a transmission problem and what causes it?
Most transmission failures begin to manifest themselves as quirky cold weather performance. It begins with hard up-shifting/down-shifting, delayed shifting and excess RPM. These transmissions are heavily dependent upon fluid pressure to regulate performance, and the sensor failures that commonly occur with these transmissions disrupt that pressure, leading rapidly to transmission demolition.
“Jerking while driving” and “Transmission gears slipping” most common transmission problems and complaints specifically with the 2002 Acura 3.2TL. To check for the cause of any transmission slippage — the first thing you can do is to check your transmission fluid level. If the transmission fluid is full or smells burnt, that is the first sign that you may have a severe problem internally with your transmission. Transmission fluid should always be red in color, and needs to be replaced when it turns dark or black. Burnt transmission fluid is a easy signal that there is a transmission problem. Low transmission fluid can also cause severe transmission problems. If your fluid is low or has any of these problems, please contact us at 704-821-3460 to schedule an appointment for service or transmission testing.
More common symptoms / problems with 2003 Acura TL Transmission:
* 2nd gear within the transmission was failing and breaking apart
* transmission was jerking when speeding up
* Check engine light on
* bad transmission controller trouble code
* transmission slipping
* delay in the transmission when shifting from park into drive
If you think you have a transmission problem with your 2002 Acura 3.2TL, please contact Twin Automotive, Charlotte’s best Transmission Repair specialist. We perform free transmission diagnostics with every repair and give free estimates. To speak with a transmission specialist, call us directly at 704-821-3460 or leave a comment here.