I was driving down the highway at ~60+ MPH in traffic and tapped the brakes. The car lurched and almost came to a dead stop (I later learned that the automatic transmission had shifted into 1st gear). This happened 2-3 other times as I tried to move over and get out of the traffic flow w/o being able to fully deploy the brakes. I had to "coast" to a stop. The force of the lurch was enough to…
2006 Acura TL powertrain problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 18 powertrain complaints filed for the 2006 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Acura TL in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eighteen complaints describe a pattern of automatic transmission failures in the 2006 Acura TL. The most severe: sudden total loss of drive while in motion, sometimes on highways, leaving owners stranded and creating dangerous traffic situations. Several owners report the transmission shifting unexpectedly into neutral at 40–60 mph, then recovering after sitting idle for a few minutes—only to fail again within the next few minutes of driving.
Owners also describe erratic upshifting, gear slipping under load (especially on hills or in hot weather), and harsh downshifts that caused skidding and near-accidents. One owner experienced unwanted acceleration and jerking even with foot off the pedal, including on downslopes.
Limp mode engagement with check engine lights and stalling were reported. One owner noted the transmission shedding oil through the vent during failure. A few mentioned the transmission won't engage second gear or exhibits rapid RPM fluctuation.
Failures occurred across a wide mileage range (68,000 to 129,000 miles) and one owner states he is currently on his third transmission. Dealers and independent shops confirmed transmission replacement was necessary. Acura denied warranty claims past the manufacturer's coverage period, even on well-maintained vehicles. Owners cited diagnostic codes P0741, P0722, and P0780. Replacement costs ranged from $1,850 to $4,650. Two dealerships acknowledged being aware of transmission problems but took no action.
Same Acura TL powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Complete transmission failure / refusal to move
Transmission suddenly loses all ability to engage gears and move the vehicle while driving or at rest. Vehicle may shift into neutral without warning during motion.
When: Between 68,000 and 129,000 miles; typically without prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move in any gear despite being shifted; Transmission shifts unexpectedly into neutral while driving; Loss of power while in motion; rapid deceleration; No check engine light or warning before failure in some cases
Codes mentioned: P0741, P0722, P0780
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required. Owners report costs ranging from $1,850 to $4,650 for replacement/remanufactured units. Acura dealers denied warranty coverage past 68,000 miles despite maintenance records.
Transmission slipping and hesitation
Transmission loses torque engagement under load or during acceleration, causing gears to spin without moving the vehicle forward smoothly. Occurs especially during uphill driving and in hot weather.
When: Starting at 73,500 miles; mostly triggered by hot weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Gears slip when accelerating or driving uphill; Transmission hesitates and fails to engage properly; Transmission oil dripping through vent during failure; Vehicle struggles to move despite engine running
Repairs/costs cited: Torque clutch solenoid replacement attempted on at least one vehicle but did not resolve underlying transmission failure. Eventual transmission replacement needed.
Erratic shifting and temporary neutral engagement
Transmission shifts unpredictably between gears, momentarily engages neutral during normal driving, then recovers after sitting idle for a few minutes. Condition repeats intermittently.
When: Occurs at 40-50 mph during normal highway driving; pattern repeats over multiple short trips
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic shifting at 40 mph, slipping at 50 mph; Transmission goes into neutral unexpectedly; Upshift failure; transmission cannot engage proper gears; Vehicle recovers drivability after stopping and waiting 2-4 minutes; Condition repeats in cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis confirmed transmission failure; owner initially denied warranty repair at 68,000 miles due to being past warranty period.
Unwanted acceleration and jerking without driver input
Transmission engages and causes forward acceleration or jerking motion even when driver has removed foot from gas pedal or is not accelerating. Occurs on downslopes and at low speeds.
When: Intermittent; reported during normal operation and on downward slopes
Symptoms owners cite: Car accelerates for 1-2 seconds after foot removed from pedal; Vehicle jerks forward during low-speed acceleration; Transmission engages on downward slopes even without pedal input; Unpredictable forward motion creates safety hazard
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura dealerships acknowledged awareness of the problem but took no corrective action.
Hard downshifting with loss of traction
Transmission shifts down abruptly with excessive force, causing loss of vehicle traction and skidding. Can be triggered by light brake application on highway speeds.
When: During highway driving at speed; triggered by braking or gear engagement
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden harsh downshift into 1st gear while at highway speed; Vehicle lurches and nearly comes to dead stop; Loud clunking noise during shift; Loss of traction; skidding approximately 10 feet on highway; Force sufficient to throw occupant forward in seat
Transmission limp mode and stalling
Engine light illuminates and vehicle enters limp mode with severe power loss during highway driving. Vehicle stalls without warning and may not restart or operate reliably afterward.
When: 55 mph highway driving; also at lower speeds during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light activation; Sudden entry into limp mode; drastic power loss (55 mph to 25 mph); Vehicle stalls while driving; Transmission will not shift into gear after stalling; Vehicle shuts off completely during operation
Codes mentioned: P0741
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement advised by dealer and independent mechanics.
Second gear failure with fluctuating RPM
Specific failure of second gear engagement or operation, with engine RPM rising and falling rapidly as transmission struggles to hold gear.
When: Mileage not specified; described as transmission 'starting to fail'
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails in second gear; RPM fluctuates rapidly up and down; Transmission unable to maintain consistent gear engagement
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I had the most harrowing experience while driving home last saturday, nov.27, around 1:15am, at constant speed of 60 MPG when suddenly while stepping on the accelerator pedal I felt slipping of the gears, then the car's acceleration quickly dropping as I frantically tried to regain control and barely managing to steer the car onto the shoulder where it stopped to move completely. I realized then…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2006 Acura TL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 78,000 and 165,000 miles, with the median around 108,353. A quarter of owners report trouble before 78,000; a quarter make it past 165,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Acura/TL.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.