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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

56 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Power Train

My "D" indicator light is blinking no matter changing the transmission fluid, cleaning the solenoids, etc. the car is not overheating, there are no apparent electrical problems and I do not even have any check engine lights or other codes. The light comes on blinking when I drive for a little while then goes off when I turn the …

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My "D" indicator light is blinking no matter changing the transmission fluid, cleaning the solenoids, etc. the car is not overheating, there are no apparent electrical problems and I do not even have any check engine lights or other codes. The light comes on blinking when I drive for a little while then goes off when I turn the car off and is fine. Then when I start it up it doesn't blink anymore. But then when I drive again for a while it blinks again. I've had transmission shuddering, jerky shifting, delayed shifting, etc.

NHTSA ODI #11434155

196,000 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Air BagsPower TrainSteering

TORQUE CONVERTER HAS DIFFERENCE OF 200RPM OR GREATER THAN CAUSING TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL POWER STEERING LINE ALLOWING AIR INTO SYSTEM. SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WON'T SENT CODE

NHTSA ODI #11406649

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteering

MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT I THINK HOSE BUSTED HARD TO STEER AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING REVERSE IS GOING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11386027

150,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Power TrainSteeringSuspensionFire

AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULO…

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AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11383370

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2020
Power Train

I AM TEXTING YOU BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IT BROKE DOWN ON ME WHEN I WENT OUT OF TOWN SO IT IS STILL SITTING IN THE TOWN I WENT TO AND THE RECALL WAS ON POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL NUMBER 08V091000 ON 2/7/2008 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN I CAN GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337444

119,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Air BagsPower TrainUnknown Or Other

THE TRANSMISSION IS LACKING AT ANY MOMENT THAT HAPPENS TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NO SAFE ANOTHER CAR ALMOST HIT ME. NO SAFE .... MY DASH IS HORRIBLE COMPLETELY CRACKE AND THIS DEFINITELY IS GOING TO AFFECT THE AIRBAGS IN MY ACURA 2004 TL. SORRY IS THE WORS OF WORST .YES I WAS DRIVING GOING IN TO THE GAS STATION …

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THE TRANSMISSION IS LACKING AT ANY MOMENT THAT HAPPENS TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NO SAFE ANOTHER CAR ALMOST HIT ME. NO SAFE .... MY DASH IS HORRIBLE COMPLETELY CRACKE AND THIS DEFINITELY IS GOING TO AFFECT THE AIRBAGS IN MY ACURA 2004 TL. SORRY IS THE WORS OF WORST .YES I WAS DRIVING GOING IN TO THE GAS STATION AND CAR JUST LACK I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE CAR GETS ON GEAR AGAIN AND I GET IN GAS STATION

NHTSA ODI #11286618

152,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY 2004 ACURA TL IS MY FIRST CAR OWNED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 20-30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. BECAUSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A STRAIGHT WAY OR UP HILLS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION WITH ACURA TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS FINANCIALLY AND PHYSCIALLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RECALL …

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MY 2004 ACURA TL IS MY FIRST CAR OWNED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 20-30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. BECAUSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A STRAIGHT WAY OR UP HILLS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION WITH ACURA TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS FINANCIALLY AND PHYSCIALLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RECALL BEING DONE ON MY 2004 ACURA TL BECAUSE I LOVE THIS CAR AND WOULD LOVE TO KEEP IT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO INSTALL ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ABOUT TRANSMISSINS FAILURES ON HONDA/ACURA TRANSMISSIONS. I THOUGHT ACURA WAS A GREAT BRAND, BUT ACURA CEO AND HEADQUARATERS HAVE TO KNOW THAT CONSUMERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11139717

193,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Power TrainSteering

POWER STEERING SPIT OUT OIL EVERYWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11139687

130,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR EVEN WITH THE ENGINE REVVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS FAILED BECAUSE THE SECOND OR THIRD GEAR WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH LUBRICATION TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR EVEN WITH THE ENGINE REVVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS FAILED BECAUSE THE SECOND OR THIRD GEAR WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH LUBRICATION TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11118717

170,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Power Train

LAST WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY ALL SUDDEN MY CAR LOSE POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAME NOT ENGAGED WITH ENGINE AND ALMOST GOT INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS PERFORMED PERFECTLY BEFORE THAT. I KEPT THE CAR IN TOP CONDITION NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. SO THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND I TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND FOUN…

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LAST WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY ALL SUDDEN MY CAR LOSE POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAME NOT ENGAGED WITH ENGINE AND ALMOST GOT INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS PERFORMED PERFECTLY BEFORE THAT. I KEPT THE CAR IN TOP CONDITION NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. SO THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND I TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TRAMISSION FILTER WAS BAD AND THE LOOSE FILTER COMPONENTS GOT STUCK IN THE AFTER FILTER HOSE BOLT. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL TRANSMISSION FILTER DOES NOT HAVE ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED TO CHANGE THE FILTER. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 170,000 MILES. WHEN THE FILTER GETS OLD AND BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAKS APART AND BLOCK THE FLUID PASSAGE CAUSES MY TRAMISSION TO FAIL. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FOR THE PICTURES WITH FILTER MATERIAL STUCK IN THE FILTER BOLT.

NHTSA ODI #11097787

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.