← New search

2004 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tl years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Acura Tl are substantially higher than the model-year median of 124.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

403 reports with mileage · 148 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 232 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 199 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports6 fire reports9 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

199 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2018
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD PANEL OF MY 04 ACURA TL IS SEVERELY CRACKED. MY CONCERN IS IF IN THE EVENT AN AIRBAG DID DEPLOY DUE TO FALSE SENSORS OR EVEN DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, HOW MUCH DAMAGE WILL THIS CAUSE ME? I UNDERSTAND THAT AN AIRBAG WILL ANNIHILATE THE DASH IF ACTIVATED AND HOPEFULLY DAMAGES ARE MINIMAL BUT THAT WAS TESTED WITH A DASHBOAR…

Read full complaint

THE DASHBOARD PANEL OF MY 04 ACURA TL IS SEVERELY CRACKED. MY CONCERN IS IF IN THE EVENT AN AIRBAG DID DEPLOY DUE TO FALSE SENSORS OR EVEN DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, HOW MUCH DAMAGE WILL THIS CAUSE ME? I UNDERSTAND THAT AN AIRBAG WILL ANNIHILATE THE DASH IF ACTIVATED AND HOPEFULLY DAMAGES ARE MINIMAL BUT THAT WAS TESTED WITH A DASHBOARD PANEL THAT WAS FULLY INTACT. I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED SINCE I ALSO HAVE 98 FORERUNNER AND THE DASH PANEL IS NEARLY EMACULANT. I FEEL THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC IN THESE VEHICLES THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11140711

80,000 miles · Jul 18, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD OVER TOP OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. WORRIED ABOUT PASSENGER SAFETY AND AIRBAG EFFECTIVENESS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11112092

35,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANUFACTURER HAS LIFETIME SEAT BELT WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE SWITCH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT. SO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A CAR WITH NO AIR BAGS BEC…

Read full complaint

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANUFACTURER HAS LIFETIME SEAT BELT WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE SWITCH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT. SO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A CAR WITH NO AIR BAGS BECAUSE HONDA/ACURA WILL NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS, AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11080263

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2017
Air Bags

I HAVE 2004 ACURA TL, ABOUT 105000 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, NOW STAYS ON, DASHBOARD ON TOP PASSENGER SIDE CRACKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE HAS NO PREVIOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. MAY CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SAFETY ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #11034043

180,000 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Air BagsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA WAS CRACKED. THE AIR BAGS AND WIRING WERE NOT EXPOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA WAS CRACKED. THE AIR BAGS AND WIRING WERE NOT EXPOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11025056

199,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANT CRACKS OVERNIGHT. LOOKS LIKE WHERE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY. AT SAME TIME CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11022747

100,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Air Bags

CRACKS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS LEAD TO AIRBAG SIGNAL APPEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11021420

172,000 miles · Jul 16, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. 2004 ACURA TL DASH BOARD NOTICED A LONG CRACK THEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT NO LONGER TURNS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE ON 6/20/17. CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CRACK IF VERY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT WHIL…

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL. 2004 ACURA TL DASH BOARD NOTICED A LONG CRACK THEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT NO LONGER TURNS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE ON 6/20/17. CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CRACK IF VERY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING IT TO BE UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. SOME TO MOST OWNERS ARE RECEIVING A RECALL OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE ERORR ACCORDING TO TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11005579

135,000 miles · Jun 1, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKING FOR NO REASON. CRACKS ARE IN MANY PLACES AND OCCUR NEAR THE DASH AIR BAG WHICH IS CONCERNING IF IT EVERY GOES OFF COULD SEND SHARP PIECES OF THE DASH INTO MYSELF OR A PASSENGER (WIFE, DAUGHTER). PHOTOS CAN BE TAKEN IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #10992660

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2017
Air Bags

CRACKED DASHBOARD ON PASSANGER SIDE WHERE AIR BAGS ARE LOCATED.

NHTSA ODI #10958715

Official recalls

4

19V182000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 6, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

08V091000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Feb 27, 2008

HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551).

08V092000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Feb 27, 2008

HONDA IS RECALLING 129,600 MY 2004-2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES. IF WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE MOTOR TO VENT WARM AIR DURING NORMAL OPERATION, IT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING. THIS COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILS, IT WILL CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION. IF NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ARE PRESENT, A SNORKEL TUBE WILL BE ADDED TO THE WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING AND FOAM TAPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE COWL ABOVE THE WIPER MOTOR TO DIRECT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR. IF SIGNS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE OBSERVED ON THE WIPER MOTOR, THE MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED, AND THE BREATHER TUBE AND FOAM TAPE WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION ON THE NEW WIPER MOTOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2004

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE07060 · Windshield Wiper Motor Failure

Opened Nov 29, 2007 · Closed Mar 5, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RELATED RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES.THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 129,600 SUBJECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2003 AND MAY 2005.THE DEFECT INVOLVES WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING THAT MAY RESULT IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT WILL DISABLE THE WIPER MOTOR.CORRECTIVE ACTION CONSISTS OF INSTALLING A NEW WIPER MOTOR WHERE CORROSION IS FOUND AS WELL AS A BREATHER TUBE ON BOTH NEW AND EXISTING WIPER MOTORS TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE HOUSING.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NUMBER 08V-092 TO THIS RECALL ACTION.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RELATED RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES.THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 129,600 SUBJECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2003 AND MAY 2005.THE DEFECT INVOLVES WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING THAT MAY RESULT IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT WILL DISABLE THE WIPER MOTOR.CORRECTIVE ACTION CONSISTS OF INSTALLING A NEW WIPER MOTOR WHERE CORROSION IS FOUND AS WELL AS A BREATHER TUBE ON BOTH NEW AND EXISTING WIPER MOTORS TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE HOUSING.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NUMBER 08V-092 TO THIS RECALL ACTION.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RELATED RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES.THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 129,600 SUBJECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2003 AND MAY 2005.THE DEFECT INVOLVES WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING THAT MAY RESULT IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT WILL DISABLE THE WIPER MOTOR.CORRECTIVE ACTION CONSISTS OF INSTALLING A NEW WIPER MOTOR WHERE CORROSION IS FOUND AS WELL AS A BREATHER TUBE ON BOTH NEW AND EXISTING WIPER MOTORS TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE HOUSING.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NUMBER 08V-092 TO THIS RECALL ACTION.