1996 Acura TL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,569miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Acura TL, 15% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,569 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was headed up a hill when I pulled over to the side of the road to let an emergency vehicle pass. When I attempted to reenter traffic, there was a loud bang, some grinding noise, and a jolt as the vehicle began to roll backwards. I was startled when I immediately placed the vehicle in park but it continued to roll down hill. Then I engaged the parking brake, (I never use the parking brake due to an unfortunate happening in the past with a different vehicle). …”
NHTSA complaint #10637525, filed 2014-09, 197,000 miles“The problem is: at certain combinations of RPM and speed, the engine labors. It causes excessive vibrations, which continue until either the speed or RPM is changed. It is not related to traveling up or down an incline. Taken to Acura dealership several times and they stated they were unable to reproduce the problem but noted that it shifted hard on 1-2 upshift and flushed the transmission system. This did not fix the vibration. When I took the car back in for same problem they stated the front brake rotors were warped and replaced front brake rotors and pads. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135757, filed 2005-09, 40 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Acura 2.5 TL. The vehicle was serviced at the repair shop for a dead battery. The repair shop advised that the vehicle would not shift into gear. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id 99v227000 (power train: automatic transmission). The current and failure mileages were 56,569. Returned usps, 2nd attempt made 07/24/07 failed. ,”
NHTSA complaint #10200900, filed 2007-08, 56,569 milesRelated recalls
- 99V227000Aug 19, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.Covers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1999
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 27 | 21% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 10 | 16% |
| 2009 | 5 | 12% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 9% |
| 2004 | 56 | 10% |
| 2003 | 246 | 63% |
| 2002 | 224 | 67% |
| 2001 | 103 | 69% |
| 2000 | 111 | 45% |
| 1999 | 37 | 24% |
| 1998 | 2 | 10% |
| 1997 | 3 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1996 Acura TL
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Acura TL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology