Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My car has been automatically shutting off while driving. Bringing my car to a halt, not a full on stop but to the point my wheels lock up. Sort of like im slamming on my brake but I can't press my brake. I lose power steering, the entire car shuts off. Then I have to try and restart it, but it won't turn over. Sometimes its just for a few minutes. Other times Im stranded for hours. A few times its been days. After it dies and i turn the key off and then back on but not over ill have power. I have a kid and we've been stranded on an on ramp with cars going 60 all around us. The car just randomly shut off in the middle of the road. There's a lot of traffic around these parts and we were stuck, not even being able to get out of the vehicle with the cars going on each side of us. Ive done some research and ive seen thousands of other complaints about this issue since 2002. …
Vehical slips out of gears while driving on the hwy also feels like the car wheels or maybe even the transmission locks up while on the hwy . A very bad jerk , it seems like the gears are locking up for a quick second after the jerk it will proceed on . The jerks. These jerks are starting to damage my suspension and also my gears.. There was asafety recall for the transmissoion gears .I have taken my vhical to Acura of cerrittos and they refused to inspect and notify me of my vehical transmission gears status they said there was a oil line that was added but they cant show me where the work was done. While driving my vehical home from the dealership Acura of cerritos this transmission gears started locking up so bad that the jerks injured me my girlfriend and 3 of our kids and damaged my steering and suspension. Please help
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that the keys were able to be removed from the ignition without the vehicle being shifted into park. The contact also stated that the vehicle crashed into two other vehicles while the vehicle was parked. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V423000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 9/25/15
Transmission failure for second time. First failed after vehicle was 4 years old with 30,000 miles in 2005. Acura stated the transmission was defective and replaced it with a new one under warranty. Second one failed after car had 103,500 miles on it 8/21/15 even though I followed the maintenance prescribed by the manufacturer. Acura refused to participate in any of the cost of $5,100 quoted by the dealer for a re-manufactured unit. When the unit failed the car would lose all power to the wheels presenting a dangerous condition in that vehicles behind could have easily rear ended me. In other instances the car would not shift up properly and then lose all power which if this occurred in busy traffic could have resulted in a serious accident. …
I was pulling out of a driveway (store) onto a main road at less than 5 miles per hour. Stepped on brake because cars were stopped for red light. Car suddenly accelerated and wouldn't stop, no matter how hard I hit the brakes. I grazed the rear bumper of the car in front of me as I swerved to avoid hitting it. Went into a tree to avoid hitting anything or anyone else. Acura dealer swore it couldn't happen and there was nothing wrong with the car, but I found six other instances of this problem on your web site. Reported it to metuchen, nj police. This was the second such occurrence, but the dealer convinced me the first was driver error. The consumer believed the accident was related to the transmission recall.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura 3.2 TL. The contact was driving 75 MPH when the check engine lamp illuminated and smoke was emitted from under the vehicle. The contact mentioned that he was unable to drive the vehicle since the gear would not shift. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission had overheated to the point that it melted all of the cables. As a result, the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the contact had the repairs performed at an independent shop. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,300.
While driving my transmission slips and my car stops moving. The transmission was worked on in 2005 for the recall issue. After doing research it is known that the 2005 repairs did not really work. At 120K miles the transmission is out again. In the morning it drives fine until it gets hot duplicating the initial recall symptoms. The car has been at Acura for a month and diagnosed as duplicating the . A month later Acura decides not to stand behind there vehicle. I have a Hyundai and Dodge with over 200K miles and I have never had any drivetrain issues.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that the ignition switch key interlock failed. As a result, the vehicle backed out of the driveway on its own. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch key interlock failed. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Allege that vehicle airbag deployed causing the driver to be unable to control vehicle and/or including possible acceleration leading to a collision and/or seat belt restraint system. Received two recall notices and/or possible more than two. SRS light appeared to be activated prior to the incident. ( facts: power inverter connected, other mobile electronics powered by vehicle's dc power supply, both driver and airbag were deployed, new car mount installation on passenger seat frame bolts)
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. While driving at 40 MPH, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and PCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 05/10/16 updated 12/13/2017
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
Transmission complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 224 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Acura TL, 67% of the model year's 333 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (175 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Acura TL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Acura TL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.