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 B…
2005 Acura TL powertrain problems
severe 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS SYNCHRONIZED POORLY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 3RD & 4TH GEAR SMOOTHLY AND SOMETIMES WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE SHIFTED SUFFICIENTLY. *TR
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 …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Acura TL?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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