While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, the 3rd gear does not fully engage, it pops back into neutral. I then had to shift back to 2nd and back into 3rd gear (which was successful). This happens multiple times a week. This is very dangerous as you are put into neutral in the middle of traffic. Acura has issues a tsb for the previous generation tl, but not this generation even though many customers…
2010 Acura TL powertrain problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 9 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
In september 2012, Acura issued product update for torque converter saying the transmission software update needed to prevent damage to the transmission. I received the notification on august 2016. This is 6 years after original notification and beyond the extended warranty. I have called Acura about the unfairness of their product software update warranty limitations to no avail.
I have 2010 tl ah-awt with 6 speed manual. The third gear on this car has being acting up. During a cold start, when the car has being sitting over night, in the morning, then I'm shifting from second gear to third, one of all of the following happens: car doesn't want to shift to 3rd gear. It takes a lot of effort to push it into the 3rd gear. 2. The car shifts into the third gear, by the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2010 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 2010 Acura TL?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 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?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 65,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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/2010/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.