2000 Acura TL: complaints, problems and recalls

TTHINK TWICE AND LONG BEFORE BUYING A 2000 ACURA 3.2 TL.WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. WE AND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING ISSUES:ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2001, AT 20129 MILES, THE FIRST OWNER TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE TO AN ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) INDICATOR LIGHT HAD COME ON.THE SHOP REPLACED THE 'OPDS UNIT' BUT PROVIDED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE WARNING INDICATOR HAD COME ON. AT 26467 MILES, THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000008 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A RAPID STOP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND PERFORMED MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING SEVERE "SLIPPAGE" OF TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING. MR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002175 at NHTSA ↗

NAR 1/29/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IRREGULAR SHIFTING BEHAVIOR THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. THE CONSUMER ALSO OWNS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006055 at NHTSA ↗

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2000 ACURA TL IS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION LOCK UP THE FRONT WHEELS WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 62,275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010775 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER CAME TO A STOP, WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY FISH TAILED TO A STOP. *AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019487 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PREPARING TO EXIT, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE ON EXIT RAMP AND VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING BACK TO CRUISE CONTROL SPEED ONCE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON INSPECTION, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAD FAILED. PRIOR TO, WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE GEAR FROM PARK WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE.*AK *CB

Owner-reported narrative. 31,061 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022759 at NHTSA ↗

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 16 MONTHS AS INDICATED BY THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SYSTEM'S AVAILABILITY DURING A CRASH IS QUESTIONABLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026064 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED PREMATURELY WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT OR IMPACTED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033695 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-08-14 (August 14, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WITH INCORRECT PARTS: 2002 ACURA 3.2TL SEDANS WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED PER RECALL 01V-166001; CERTAIN 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS; AND CERTAIN 2000-2002 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS. REPAIRS WERE MADE FROM MARCH 9 THROUGH JULY 27, 2001. SOME OF THE NONCOMPLIANT BUCKLES WERE MISLABELED AND REDISTRIBUTED TO ACURA DEALERS TO BE USED AS RECALL REPAIR PARTS. HONDA ALSO DETERMINED THAT INCORRECT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE USED FOR SOME PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS OF 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES, AND WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS OF 2000-2002 3.2TL VEHICLES. THESE SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Reported: 2002-03-14 (March 14, 2002)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMPONENT IN THE INFLATOR OF SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY.

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE AFFECTED AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Reported: 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)

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.

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Reported: 2005-01-28 (January 28, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.