Acura TL Problems

The starter motor used on the 1995-2006 Acura TL frequently fails on vehicles around 125,000 miles.

It may help prolong the life of the starter to service the starter to ensure the connections are clean and tight at the 100,000 mile mark.

Automatic transmission problems are common and these transmissions have high failure rates.  Acura has voluntarily extended the warranty on many of its automatic transmissions, so be sure to check with an Acura dealership to confirm warranty coverage.

Automatic Transmission May Fail Prematurely

The 1998-2014 Acura TL V6 may develop issues with the automatic transmission.

Rough shifting may occur, and the “D4” light and check engine may begin to blink. The check engine light will also illuminate, and OBD trouble codes P0700, P0730, P0740, P0780, P1768 and/or P1768 will be stored in the computer.

If the transmission shifts roughly, the failure is very likely mechanical failure of the transmission. If the transmission performs normally, a faulty sensor, or dirty transmission fluid may be the case.

In most cases, it is necessary to use professional diagnostic equipment to provide a diagnosis, and complete the repair.

The longevity of the transmission is dependent on strict adherence to the manufacturer's recommendation for ATF replacement intervals and procedure.

A squeak type noise may be noted when raising or lowering the front door glass. Our technicians tell us that in most cases this issue can be corrected by replacing the door glass seal.

The Acura TL may have issues with the idle air control system, causing:

• Erratic/bouncing idle 
• Poor fuel mileage 
• Illumination of the check engine light 
• OBD trouble code P0505 
• Engine stalling is possible 

The idle air bypass system is made up of vacuum lines, an idle air control valve (IACV), the throttle body, and intake manifold, and allows enough air into the engine to idle when the throttle body is closed. The OBD trouble code P0505 refers you to this system to inspect for failures.

The most likely cause is a dirty or failed IACV, but vacuum lines, intake manifold gasket, throttle body gasket, and IACV gasket should be inspected.

In all cases involving the IACV, the throttle body ports should be cleaned prior to installing the IACV onto the throttle body.

The 1999-2003  Acura 3.2TL uses an ignition switch that commonly fails, causing:

The ignition switch works by receiving power from the battery, then sending that power to another location by turning the key to the desired setting. When it fails, power cannot be transmitted to the proper components because of an improper electrical connection. This will effect everything that the key allows to run in the "Start" position, including the starter motor.

It can be intermittent, and a bump in the road, or turning the vehicle at speed may cause the ignition switch to lose connection.

Turning the key back and forth or shaking it may cause it to reconnect temporarily.

To correct the issue, replication of the fault is key. If the ignition switch tests bad when the problem is occurring, replacing the ignition should resolve the issue.

Please note: The ignition lock cylinder, where the key is inserted, does not need to be replaced.

The 1998-2014 Acura TL commonly has problems with the EVAP canister vent solenoid. It stops responding to commands to open and close, and the following occurs:

The valve is located on the charcoal canister, and is meant to open and close upon command. It fails due to corrosion breaking one of two internal seals, which allows air to escape the system, signaling the OBD trouble code P1457.

Correcting the problem can be done by replacing the vent valve, or, in some cases, cleaning and resealing the vent valve has been successful. You can get an estimate for this repair here.

A worn, missing, or loose gas cap can cause the same issues.

The 1999-2008 Acura TL has brake caliper issues, which are known for causing vibration and grinding noises at all times.

The brake rotor is a disk that sits between two brake pads. The brake pads are squeezed against the disk by what is called a brake caliper. When that caliper gets stuck, the brake pads are permanently pressed against the rotor causing:

The repair for a seized brake caliper, the brake pads, brake rotor, and brake caliper must be replaced or vibration will remain after the new caliper is installed. Changing the brake fluid and flushing the brake system according to manufacturer specified intervals can help improve longevity of the brake caliper.

The exhaust recirculation valve (EGR) on the 1995-2014 Acura TL may fail, causing:

The EGR valve has open and closed positions, and opens or closes on command from the computer.

Exhaust gases constantly pass through the valve when it is open, leaving carbon deposits on the valve. These carbon deposits may lead the the valve sticking in the open or closed position.

To correct this issue, sometimes it is sufficient to clean the valve, but replacement is recommended in all cases.

For further information on your vehicle's issue, try out our diagnostics tool here.

The 1995-2006 Acura TL commonly has issues with the fuel pump and fuel injection relays.

These relays send power to the fuel pump and fuel injectors when the key is turned to the “ON” position. So, when they fail, there is no electrical current to the necessary fuel system components to send fuel into the engine, causing engine stalling or failure to start.

In this situation, there are many other possibilities, so testing components is vital for time and money savings.

If the relays test bad, they must be replaced with relays specific for that circuit.

To help prolong the life of your under-hood electrical components, ensure the lid for the fuse block is closed, and any factory sealing material is correctly installed.

If one of the power window motors is not very strong, and the window moves slowly. Operating the windows with the engine running will help take some of the stress off the motor and prolong its lifespan.

The green "Drive" light on the dashboard tends to burn out, requiring replacement of the burned out bulb.

The exhaust manifold commonly fails on the 5 cylinder engine and may develop an exhaust leak that is especially noticeable when the car is cold.