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 2005 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before & all of a sudden it did all of the above, erratic shifting, flare up shifts, won't move. It was then put on a diagnostic scanner which showed a code for Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid but was cleared & didn't reappear. …
Transmission locked up while attempting to backup. Very loud grinding noise. Could not place back in park. Had to shut off engine to free shifter to move back to park. Tried again but this time placed in drive. Exact same results. Checked internet and apparently transmission on this year and others before and after are know problems. Googleand you will see this. POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT - What would have been the end result having the transmission fail while on the freeway going 60 mph. Possibly could loose control of the vehicle with wheels locking up, cashing into another vehicle or a wall? This should be investigated! THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REMOVE COMPLAINT, BUT STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THE FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN.
I was backing out of a spot, as I usually do, the car took longer than usual to shift from park into drive (about 3-4 sec). Drove normally for about a half-mile, stopped at a red light, went to accelerate, and then the transmission wouldn't come out of 1st gear and revved super high. Pulled over, then drove to my mechanic about a half-mile back at about 8-10 MPH with my caution lights on. He took it for a test drive and said it seemed fine (I.e. The transmission didn't slip), but what I explained to him sounded like the onset of transmission failure). He suggested something could have gotten lodged in there and blocked fluid flow, and when I turned my car off and he started it, that it could have fallen out before his test drive. …
On 9/15/09, while pulling into a parking lot in a parking garage at work, my 2005 Acura TL accelerated (on its own) and crashed into the concrete barrier causing the air bag to deploy. I did not have my foot on the gas pedal and the car mat was not stuck under the gas pedal. I was coasting into the parking space when the car "took off" and accelerated into the barrier in front of the garage wall. For about the last two years or so, the transmission on my car would regularly cause the car to accelerate for a short time right after the gas pedal is pushed. It "jerks' forward when going at low speeds. It happens regularly/daily. I brought this to the attention of my Acura dealer on two occasions when I brought my car in for service. They told me there was nothing wrong. After the accident above, I told them to check out the problem and they told me nothing is wrong. …
I left my car to get my phone while car was parked on the driveway with the engine running, transmission in parking and door on the driver side open. Less than 2 minutes later when I returned my car was gone. Looking around, I saw my car at least 30 yards downhill from the driveway lodged against an f450 truck. My car - I assume in parking mode - climbed up on the driveway incline, hit a garbage bin on the other side of the road, made a 180 degree right turn, traveling in reverse direction crushed in to the parked truck's left side fender and bumper (the truck was parked on the oncoming side of the road).. The damage to the trucks fender was a small dent and scraped off paint on the bumper. I found my car's trunk lid severely dented, and the rear bumper also dented and slid to the side. The crystal of the passenger side rear light assembly broke. …
TL* the contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated, slipped out of gear, and operated abnormally. Upon inspection, the contact stated that the transmission filter fractured and detached and the debris clogged the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that it was up to the consumer to change that specific part out, even though it was not listed as a recommended part to replace in the manual. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. While attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the rpms increased, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the filter system in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the transmission inadvertently shifted and caused the vehicle to become inoperable without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and shifted out of gear without warning. The vehicle was not repaired, but it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I was driving my car out of nowhere it lost power this the third time it happens. Its really scary because the last time I had my baby with me and that happened. I had to park and turn off the car also when I reverse it takes long to change gear.
Transmission complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Acura TL, 9% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Acura TL transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Acura TL, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Acura TL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.