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 THROW…
2006 Acura TL powertrain problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
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 …
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?
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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