Verdict
C
← Acura TL · 1999-2003 · UA4/UA5
Acura TL 2nd Gen (UA4/UA5)
Marysville-built V6 sedan with the infamous transmission. Type-S added 260 hp for 2002.
BHP
225-260 bhp
0–60
6.4 s
Top speed
140 mph
MPG
22.0 mpg
Used
$3,000-$10,000
The second TL moved to Marysville, Ohio and dropped the five-cylinder. V6 only — 3.2-litre 225 hp on standard cars, then a 260 hp Type-S from 2002 with 17-inch wheels and firmer suspension. This generation was Acura's best-seller of its era but is undercut by a notorious transmission problem: the 4-speed (and later 5-speed) automatic suffered third-gear clutch pack failures across nearly the entire production run. Honda extended the warranty to 109,000 miles or 7.75 years, replacing transmissions free under campaign — but units replaced before March 2005 typically failed again. Only March 2005-or-later replacements include the redesigned third-gear clutch pack that actually fixes the issue. If you're shopping a UA4/UA5, you need to verify the transmission has been replaced with the post-March-2005 fix, or you're buying a future failure.
Strengths
- Type-S is properly quick — 6.4-second 0-60
- Touchscreen navigation in 1999 was genuinely advanced
- Marysville build quality is solid
- Strong V6 character once the transmission isn't failing
- Cheap to buy now
Weaknesses
- Transmission failure is endemic across the generation
- Pre-March-2005 replacement transmissions also failed
- Touchscreen nav now obsolete
- Interior plastics show their age
- Type-S front bumper damage is common
Notable tech
- First Acura with touchscreen-based navigation (1999)
- 5-speed automatic with SportShift from 2000 onward
- Type-S added 35 hp, 17-inch wheels, sport suspension, firmer seats
- OnStar offered alongside the proprietary nav system on some 2003s
Common issues
- Automatic transmission third-gear clutch pack failure (extended warranty campaign)
- Pre-March-2005 replacement transmissions also failed
- Power steering pump leaks
- Drive belt tensioner failure
- Door lock actuator failures
- Type-S front bumper underbody damage from low ride height
Used-market budget
$5,500
Verify the transmission has been replaced with a post-March-2005 unit (look for paperwork). Type-S premium of $1-2k over standard cars. Avoid examples without service records.