Growling and vibration from the transmission when going 35-40 MPH. Was told it's the torque converter again. Have had it replaced twice now, got it back from the dealer last night and it's doing it again. This is the 4th time I have had this car to the dealer for the same issue since I purchased the vehicle new (replaced torque converter twice and updated software twice.) it's happening like…
2009 Acura TL powertrain problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 5 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I've had my vehicle stop in the middle of the road due to a mechanical recall that went undiagnosed.( over oil consumption recall, in which I was completely unaware until finally receiving the letter prodivided) I was driving off of pleasant street in hanson ma, crossing onto the main road when my vehicle engine just shut down and froze the steering wheel. Also a police officer was on the scene…
Vehicle occasionally hesitates, very heavily, when accelerating uphill, like on freeway entrance ramps. When trying to accelerate abruptly, or from first of second gear, it feels like the transmission is down shifting, which could be dangerous in certain situations or when using a freeway entrance ramp in heavy traffic.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 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?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 144,408 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2009/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.