Problems · by component

2004 Acura TL power train problems

56 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Acura TL cite power train, 10% of all 551 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
56
10% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My "D" indicator light is blinking no matter changing the transmission fluid, cleaning the solenoids, etc. the car is not overheating, there are no apparent electrical problems and I do not even have any check engine lights or other codes. The light comes on blinking when I drive for a little while then goes off when I turn the car off and is fine. Then when I start it up it doesn't blink anymore. But then when I drive again for a while it blinks again. I've had transmission shuddering, jerky shifting, delayed shifting, etc.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2021Power trainODI 11434155
“TORQUE CONVERTER HAS DIFFERENCE OF 200RPM OR GREATER THAN CAUSING TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL POWER STEERING LINE ALLOWING AIR INTO SYSTEM. SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WON'T SENT CODE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2021Steering, Power train, Air bagsODI 11406649
“AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2020Steering, Suspension, Power trainFire reportedODI 11383370
“I AM TEXTING YOU BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IT BROKE DOWN ON ME WHEN I WENT OUT OF TOWN SO IT IS STILL SITTING IN THE TOWN I WENT TO AND THE RECALL WAS ON POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL NUMBER 08V091000 ON 2/7/2008 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN I CAN GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2020Power trainODI 11337444
“THE TRANSMISSION IS LACKING AT ANY MOMENT THAT HAPPENS TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NO SAFE ANOTHER CAR ALMOST HIT ME. NO SAFE .... MY DASH IS HORRIBLE COMPLETELY CRACKE AND THIS DEFINITELY IS GOING TO AFFECT THE AIRBAGS IN MY ACURA 2004 TL. SORRY IS THE WORS OF WORST .YES I WAS DRIVING GOING IN TO THE GAS STATION AND CAR JUST LACK I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE CAR GETS ON GEAR AGAIN AND I GET IN GAS STATION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2019Power train, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11286618
“MY 2004 ACURA TL IS MY FIRST CAR OWNED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 20-30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. BECAUSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A STRAIGHT WAY OR UP HILLS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION WITH ACURA TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS FINANCIALLY AND PHYSCIALLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RECALL BEING DONE ON MY 2004 ACURA TL BECAUSE I LOVE THIS CAR AND WOULD LOVE TO KEEP IT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO INSTALL ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ABOUT TRANSMISSINS FAILURES ON HONDA/ACURA TRANSMISSIONS. I THOUGHT ACURA WAS A GREAT BRAND, BUT ACURA CEO AND HEADQUARATERS HAVE TO KNOW THAT CONSUMERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2018Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11139717

Showing 6 of 56 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Power trainReported Apr 15, 2004NHTSA 04V176000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.