2000 Acura TL Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 16, 2026 · 111 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2000 Acura TL, 45% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 112,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “transmission failed” (15% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Transmission failed: mentioned in 17 of 111 complaints (15%)
  • Second gear: mentioned in 9 of 111 complaints (8%)
  • Power train automatic: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2000 Acura TL at $5,550, and half of them between $5,100 and $5,900.

Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 78 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles3 · 4%
50k–75k miles6 · 8%
75k–100k miles18 · 23%
100k–150k miles36 · 46%
150k+ miles15 · 19%

How serious are the reports?

Of 111 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.

Acura TL power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 246 complaints
1996: 4199641997: 331998: 2199821999: 37372000: 11120001112001: 1031032002: 22420022242003: 2462462004: 562004562005: 36362006: 192006192007: 772008: 8200882009: 552010: 102010102011: 112012: 272012272013: 442014: 120141

n = 904 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2014 TL16%36,000
2013 TL46%38,000
2012 TL2721%39,500
2011 TL15%73,000
2010 TL1016%80,000
2009 TL512%167,612
2008 TL86%124,500
2007 TL76%19,900
2006 TL198%108,353
2005 TL369%77,000
2004 TL5610%94,000
2003 TL24663%76,334
2002 TL22467%54,000
2001 TL10369%84,300
2000 TL11145%112,500
1999 TL3724%100,500
1998 TL210%115,000
1997 TL313%50,760
1996 TL415%56,569

When owners reported it

Peak: 2004, with 21 complaints
2000: 120002002: 62003: 720032004: 21212005: 820052006: 22007: 920072008: 132009: 620092010: 122011: 520112012: 42013: 420132014: 32015: 220152016: 12017: 120172018: 12019: 120192020: 22021: 120212026: 1

n = 111 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · 1,099,796 vehicles

Problem: On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.

Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.

Fix: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Hello, I have contacted Acura and because my car is now in [XXX] they are telling me I can’t have my car repaired. Acura says there are no recalls on this car but when I put in the Vin [XXX] , the recalls come up right away. my mother brought this car to Canada in 2004 and was unaware of any…

Received May 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738279

The contact owns a 2000 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle independently downshifted to second gear with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 50 MPH while driving to…

Received Sep 14, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11432951

Airbag sign is on . And transmission is seems like it gets stuck in gear

Received Dec 8, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11378498
Acura TL
1999-2001 Acura 3.2TL photographed in Ottawa , Ontario , Canada .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2000 Acura TLs have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints about power train for the 2000 Acura TL (45% of the 249 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Acura TL power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 112,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2000 Acura TL?

Owners report a typical cost of $5,550 (half paid between $5,100 and $5,900), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2000 Acura TL?

The most frequent phrase is “transmission failed”, in 17 of 111 complaints, followed by “second gear” (9).

Other 2000 Acura TL problems

See all 2000 Acura TL problems or power train problems across all TL years.