Honda Car Forum

Hi,
A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the new
TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power accessories
and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
Thanks

MidLifeCrisisMan wrote:
> Hi,
> A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the new
> TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power accessories
> and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
> Thanks
>
>

With the exception of the power seat memory, mine has been completely
reliable. I'm not sure I have any "body issues", whatever that means. Of
course, that's a sample of one so take it with a grain or two of salt.

I see on cnn.com an article dated March 2004 that says Consumer Reports
lists the TL as the best "upscale sedan" with a reliability rating of
"very good" (which obviously isn't "excellent" but still is, uh, very
good). The overall score for the TL was "Excellent"; hard to beat that.

I'd be willing to bet the 2005 model will have better reliability than
the '04 simply because Acura has a year of real-world testing under
their belt and proabably a bevy of minor fixes to address the issues
that have cropped up.

Had mine for 8 months and I am extremely happy with it. No issues so far
other than the memory seat module which was replaced and functions without a
problem now.

George in NY


"MidLifeCrisisMan" <ehman@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:ncidnWpg069FRgncRVn-uw@rogers.com...
> Hi,
> A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the
> new
> TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power
> accessories
> and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
> Thanks
>
>

Bought new 3/04. Since then have had the front windshield polished to
remove slight scratches caused by windshield wipers which was not covered by
warranty. Replace rear tires at 8500 miles after a 2500 mile highway trip
which left them totally bald, also not covered by warranty but paid by
dealer. Excessive dash rattles that the dealer is unable to fix. Extreme
body flex driving over the smallest pot hole causing the front doors to
"pop" (no known cure). Appearance of several air pockets in the over head
liner (waiting for corrective action). Cloth covering the rear center
mounted stop light coming off (waiting for corrective action). Poor gas
mileage (it's a rare day to get over 25 mpg even going down hill and with a
wind, my Silverado V8 truck gets 22!). It's the first and definitely the
last. As soon as 30,000 miles rolls around (next summer) - it's history,
and I'll have a new 5 series in place of it.



"MidLifeCrisisMan" <ehman@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:ncidnWpg069FRgncRVn-uw@rogers.com...
> Hi,
> A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the
new
> TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power
accessories
> and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
> Thanks
>
>

We purchased a new TL in October 2003 and have had many problems with it.
Here's a list of the problems we've had with out TL with the navigation
system.

1. Bad Bridgestone tires - Replaced at long last by dealer - no charge
2. Squeal in Driver's window in colder weather - dealer replaced module -
still have the problem
3. Gasket under shift lever showing - dealer replaced with new one
4. Passenger side window wind noise at speed - dealer fixed and ordered a
new molding; I have yet to return to have it replaced
5. Terrible gas mileage - combined mileage is 20 mpg
6. Rattles! - everything inside the cabin seems to rattle
7. Poor fitting rear drawer that is hanging half open
8. Transmission recall - added additional fluid line to increase flow on
second gear

Although the car is relatively comfortable, it's been terrible with all
these obvious poor workmanship issues that I have never had with
Japanese-built Hondas (I've had several).

We also own a Chrysler PT Cruiser and had only one minor issue with it.
It's a 2001 limited edition model with 38,000 miles on it.

We also have an Acura NSX that has no problems and it's a 1997.

I am also considering purchasing something else. The value of a 2004 TL
with navigation is still quite good. It appears that I can sell it for the
mid- to low-$30K region.

A neighbor just bought a new RL and it is assembled in Japan. They are
nice, but are nearly $50K. I don't think any dealer in California is
offering discounts on those yet. I may wait. I took a ride in the new 545
BMW. It's nice, but overpriced. He paid ~$65K and doesn't have nearly as
many options as the TL. The 3 series is nice but too small.

I am loathe to purchase another American-built car. That's a shame.

- Russ in Santa Barbara


On 11/13/04 7:20 AM, in article gCpld.53960$_g6.21502@okepread03,
"KnockKnock" <knockknock@fox.net> wrote:

> Bought new 3/04. Since then have had the front windshield polished to
> remove slight scratches caused by windshield wipers which was not covered by
> warranty. Replace rear tires at 8500 miles after a 2500 mile highway trip
> which left them totally bald, also not covered by warranty but paid by
> dealer. Excessive dash rattles that the dealer is unable to fix. Extreme
> body flex driving over the smallest pot hole causing the front doors to
> "pop" (no known cure). Appearance of several air pockets in the over head
> liner (waiting for corrective action). Cloth covering the rear center
> mounted stop light coming off (waiting for corrective action). Poor gas
> mileage (it's a rare day to get over 25 mpg even going down hill and with a
> wind, my Silverado V8 truck gets 22!). It's the first and definitely the
> last. As soon as 30,000 miles rolls around (next summer) - it's history,
> and I'll have a new 5 series in place of it.
>
>
>
> "MidLifeCrisisMan" <ehman@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:ncidnWpg069FRgncRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>> Hi,
>> A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the
> new
>> TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power
> accessories
>> and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>
>

They had 4 years of "real world" testing and they still can't get the
transmission right....

"Bryan Oakley" <oakley@bardo.clearlight.com> wrote in message
news:Vp7ld.12695$fC4.7620@newssvr11.news.prodigy.c om...
> MidLifeCrisisMan wrote:
> > Hi,
> > A brief newspaper article quoted consumers reports as claiming that the
new
> > TL (04-05 design) has reliability problems with regards to power
accessories
> > and "body issues", when compared with the 03 design. Can anyone comment?
> > Thanks
> >
> >
>
> With the exception of the power seat memory, mine has been completely
> reliable. I'm not sure I have any "body issues", whatever that means. Of
> course, that's a sample of one so take it with a grain or two of salt.
>
> I see on cnn.com an article dated March 2004 that says Consumer Reports
> lists the TL as the best "upscale sedan" with a reliability rating of
> "very good" (which obviously isn't "excellent" but still is, uh, very
> good). The overall score for the TL was "Excellent"; hard to beat that.
>
> I'd be willing to bet the 2005 model will have better reliability than
> the '04 simply because Acura has a year of real-world testing under
> their belt and proabably a bevy of minor fixes to address the issues
> that have cropped up.

Waiving the right to remain silent, "Russ@cox" <rlombardo@cox.net>
said:

> I am also considering purchasing something else. The value of a
> 2004 TL with navigation is still quite good. It appears that I
> can sell it for the mid- to low-$30K region.

New 2004 TLs can be had with nav for less than 35K. We bought ours
in August for $33,600. Yours, at a year used, couldn't be worth that
much, unless you've got some crazy buyers in your area. ;-)

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

"Lord, are we worthy of the task that lies before us,
or are we just jerking off..?"

Waiving the right to remain silent, "John"
<mydick@yourmommashouse.com> said:

> They had 4 years of "real world" testing and they still can't
> get the transmission right....

The tranny is the only part of the TL that comes from Japan.

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

"Lord, are we worthy of the task that lies before us,
or are we just jerking off..?"

I an just quoting the private price for a used 2004 TL from both Edmunds and
Kelly Blue Book.

I have checked and there is no discount in Southern California for TLs with
navigation.

What state are you in? And does that price include some fidgeting with the
price associated with a trade-in or a lease? Prices that low surprise us in
California.

- Russ in SB

"Larry J." <usenet1@DE.LETE.THISljvideo.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95A0B25243DF4larryathome@68.6.19.6...
> Waiving the right to remain silent, "Russ@cox" <rlombardo@cox.net>
> said:
>
> > I am also considering purchasing something else. The value of a
> > 2004 TL with navigation is still quite good. It appears that I
> > can sell it for the mid- to low-$30K region.
>
> New 2004 TLs can be had with nav for less than 35K. We bought ours
> in August for $33,600. Yours, at a year used, couldn't be worth that
> much, unless you've got some crazy buyers in your area. ;-)
>
> --
> Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail
>
> "Lord, are we worthy of the task that lies before us,
> or are we just jerking off..?"

Waiving the right to remain silent, "RLL" <rlombardo@cox.net>
said:

> What state are you in? And does that price include some
> fidgeting with the price associated with a trade-in or a lease?
> Prices that low surprise us in California.

Scottsdale, AZ, and TLs are quite popular here. The deal was for
full cash on the barrelhead - no trade in. I wrote them a check.

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

"Lord, are we worthy of the task that lies before us,
or are we just jerking off..?"