2009 Acura TL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,223miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Acura TL, 12% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,223 miles.
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'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 to help me safely off the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11251847, filed 2019-08, 186,000 miles“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 clock work - every 2 years the issue resurfaces.”
NHTSA complaint #10937185, filed 2016-12, 98,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11112288, filed 2018-07, 149,223 miles“My 2009 Acura TL stalls for no apparent reason. I can be pulling out from a traffic light, pulling off after pausing at a stop sign, changing gears from drive to reverse, or just simply driving on the highway or a city street. My car can have a full tank of gas or less than half of a tank of gas, it can be cold or hot outside, it can be the first time I move my car for the day or the tenth time, etc. I have not been able to pinpoint the exact issue with my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10978653, filed 2017-04“Radual acceleration elicits the symptoms of shudder and tach hunting the transmission hesitates and shudders when shifting into 2nd and 3rd gears. Driving to work 128 mass highway”
NHTSA complaint #11203161, filed 2019-04Related service bulletins
- 10106669Dec 14, 2016Dealer message - since the posting of service bulletin 16-033 for 09-11 tl software update for lock-up function there has been a sharp rise in claims for torque converter shudder…
- 10106668Dec 14, 2016Dealer message - since the posting of service bulletin 16-033 for 09-11 tl software update for lock-up function there has been a sharp rise in claims for torque converter shudder…
- 10086484Sep 21, 2016"service bulletin - there is the possibility of a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder…
- 10086222Sep 17, 2016"service bulletin - there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a…
- 10086136Aug 19, 2016Customer letter notifying owners that there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder…
- 10039532Feb 15, 2013Honda: information on updating control modules on the acura. *rm updated on 4/19/2013.
- 10049199Oct 19, 2012Acura: see document search button for owner letter. A software update for transmission is available for the torque converter lock up clutch where the judder is felt while…
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 2009 Acura TL
19 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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