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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.

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

Steering complaints

34 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2018
Exterior LightingPower TrainSteering

PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING, MINE IS LEAKING WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, PREVIOUS RECALL ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAULT, PREVIOUS RECALL ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING, CURRENT RECALL ON BALL JOINTS, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC I HAVE A BALL JOINT PROBLEM, CURRENT PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. REPL…

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PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING, MINE IS LEAKING WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, PREVIOUS RECALL ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAULT, PREVIOUS RECALL ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING, CURRENT RECALL ON BALL JOINTS, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC I HAVE A BALL JOINT PROBLEM, CURRENT PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. REPLACED BALLAST WITH NEW ONE AND HEAD LIGHT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WENT OUT AGAIN, NOTICE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11075772

110,000 miles · Jan 27, 2017
Steering

THE POWER STEERING LEAKS THIS ISSUE IS RECALLED ON THE NEW MODLES BUT NOT THESE AND ITS THE SAME PART

NHTSA ODI #10948021

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2016
Air BagsPower TrainSteering

TOP OF MY DASH WHERE THE GLOVEBOX IS ALL CRACK WHERE THE THE TAKATA INFLATORS OUR

NHTSA ODI #10853047

184,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Air BagsSteering

I HAVE ACURA TL 2004 WELL MAINTAINED SERVICE ON TIME . ONE DAY IT'S RAINING AND I DRIVE AROUND 10 MPH AND AFTER SOME TIME MY STEERING WAS FROZE I CAN'T MOVE I ABOUT TO GET CRASHED THEN I THINK IT MIGHT BE DUE TO STEERING FLUID I CHECK ITS ALMOST GOOD THEN I DRIVE NEXT FEW DAYS AND PROBLEM GONE BUT AGAIN WHEN IT'S RAINING IT DID …

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I HAVE ACURA TL 2004 WELL MAINTAINED SERVICE ON TIME . ONE DAY IT'S RAINING AND I DRIVE AROUND 10 MPH AND AFTER SOME TIME MY STEERING WAS FROZE I CAN'T MOVE I ABOUT TO GET CRASHED THEN I THINK IT MIGHT BE DUE TO STEERING FLUID I CHECK ITS ALMOST GOOD THEN I DRIVE NEXT FEW DAYS AND PROBLEM GONE BUT AGAIN WHEN IT'S RAINING IT DID SAME THING.IM SCARED TO DRIVE THAT CAR IN RAINING . IT'S ONLY BAD IN RAINING I DON'T KNOW WHY. IT ALSO HAS SOMETIME AIRBAG WARNING ON IN RAIN .

NHTSA ODI #10761156

157,000 miles · Jul 31, 2015
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARMS THAT CONNECT TO THE TIE RODS, SWAY BARS AND LINKS TO CV AXLE AND I BELEIVE RACK AND PINION SUSPENSION CAME APART FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILD AS A PASSENGER WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS WE WERE IN ROUT…

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THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARMS THAT CONNECT TO THE TIE RODS, SWAY BARS AND LINKS TO CV AXLE AND I BELEIVE RACK AND PINION SUSPENSION CAME APART FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILD AS A PASSENGER WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS WE WERE IN ROUTE TO TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS CRASH OCCURED.

NHTSA ODI #10745466

170,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735862

174,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690798

102,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Steering

MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING LEAKS AND THERE IS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN COOLER WEATHER. I WENT TO AN ACURA AND HONDA DEALER AND THEY NOTED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND THE PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND RELATED RECALLS IN THE PAST…

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MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING LEAKS AND THERE IS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN COOLER WEATHER. I WENT TO AN ACURA AND HONDA DEALER AND THEY NOTED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND THE PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND RELATED RECALLS IN THE PAST AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND IT SEEMS ACURA AND HONDA ARE SIMPLY UNWILLING TO FIX PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCT UNRELATED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT WOULD BENEFIT CONSUMERS IF THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR AND MODEL WERE MORE THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD _PARTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649575

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

ONGOING PROBLEMS WENT TO DEALER TOLD WAS FINE. EXPERIENCE LEAKS AND NOISE ISSUES WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. BACK TO DEALER WAS TOLD SOMETHING WRONG WITH STEERING RACK , POWER STEERING PUMP AND LEAK SOMEWHERE. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS IN PAST FOR SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575566

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2014
Steering

PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING CAUSING SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I READ ON ACURA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING FOR 2004-2008 ACURA TL. I AM EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND READ IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560741

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.