2007 ACURA TL

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, flare-ups between gears, Burning smell from transmission area, Slipping under acceleration, delayed engagement, Metal shavings in fluid during service, Check engine light with P0730, P0740, P0753 codes

Fix: Both the 5-speed and 6-speed automatics suffer bearing and clutch pack failures. Transmission rebuild takes 12-16 hours; many shops recommend reman or used unit instead due to internal wear patterns. Includes fluid flush and external cooler inspection. Some failures damage the torque converter beyond rebuild.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Severe misfires on cylinders 1, 2, or 3, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Oil consumption 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Loss of power, rough idle, P0300-P0303 misfire codes with low compression readings

Fix: Transmission overheating or debris circulates through the shared fluid system and damages VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) components. Leads to piston ring land failure, scored cylinder walls. Requires engine teardown: short block replacement or full rebuild with new pistons, rings, honing. 24-32 hours labor for short block swap; 35-45 hours for complete rebuild with head work.

Estimated cost: $5,000-9,000

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Power steering fluid pooling under engine bay, driver side, Groaning or whining when turning at low speeds, Intermittent heavy steering effort when cold, Fluid level dropping every few weeks

Fix: High-pressure hose from pump to rack fails where it crimps near firewall. Recalled twice but problem persists beyond recall scope. Requires hose replacement and system bleed. 2.5-3.5 hours labor. OEM hose recommended; aftermarket versions leak within 12 months.

Estimated cost: $350-550

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front wheels, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Visible play when prying on control arm during inspection

Fix: Ball joints are pressed into lower control arms and fail prematurely. Most shops replace entire control arm assembly rather than press new joints. Recall covered 2004-2006 production dates only; many 2007s still affected. Alignment required after replacement. 3-4 hours labor for both sides.

Estimated cost: $600-900

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from front of vehicle, Sudden loss of drive after highway use, Transmission overheating warning (if equipped), Pink fluid trail on pavement

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they pass near radiator support, especially in salt-belt states. Rapid fluid loss leads to transmission death if not caught immediately. Requires replacement of both feed and return lines, plus full fluid refill and leak check. 3-4 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $450-700

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration through shifter at idle, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in Park

Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount on passenger side collapses, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Amplifies harshness from already-problematic transmission. 1.5-2 hours labor for mount replacement. Replace all three mounts if original; they fail within 10k of each other.

Estimated cost: $300-500