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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

Structure complaints

232 reports
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88,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Structure

DASH STARTED TO CRACK AROUND THE AIRBAG HOUSING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE SUN AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS THAT IT WOULD EFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG, ACURA SERVICE STATED IT WOULD NOT EFFECT THE AIRBAG. THE DASH IS NOW CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE A…

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DASH STARTED TO CRACK AROUND THE AIRBAG HOUSING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE SUN AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS THAT IT WOULD EFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG, ACURA SERVICE STATED IT WOULD NOT EFFECT THE AIRBAG. THE DASH IS NOW CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AIRBAG HOUSING AND CONTINUES ALL THE WAY BACK TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10306117

66,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010
Structure

TWO WEEKS AGO, I NOTICE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT 1 INCH LONG. TODAY THE CRACK IS ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG (1/5/2010). I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT IS A WEAR AND TEAR PART. IT IS TRULY A DEFECT, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE…

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TWO WEEKS AGO, I NOTICE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT 1 INCH LONG. TODAY THE CRACK IS ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG (1/5/2010). I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT IS A WEAR AND TEAR PART. IT IS TRULY A DEFECT, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE DASH BOARD TO CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298329

45,788 miles · Nov 21, 2009
Structure

A FEW MONTHS AGO MY 2004 ACURA TL DASH STARTED CRACKING AROUND MY AIRBAG ON MY DASH. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD AND IS A DEFECT OF ACURA. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2004 ACURA TL'S THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I AM WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293110

54,000 miles · Oct 22, 2009
Air BagsStructure

1. SPONTANEOUS CRACKS IN THE DASH AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG UNIT. 2. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON 3. SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN DASH NEAR STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289327

75,000 miles · Oct 11, 2009
Structure

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING SIGNIFICANTLY AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND ALSO IN FRONT OF DRIVERS SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287009

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2009
Structure

MY 2004 ACURA HAS A DASHBOARD THAT HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG. I HAVE USED A SUN COVER AND PARKED IN SHADED SPOTS, NEVER LEAVING THE DASH IN THE SUN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRACKING BECAUSE IT IS INVOLVING THE AIRBAG AND I AM WORRIED THE AIRBAG WILL NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. OR THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPL…

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MY 2004 ACURA HAS A DASHBOARD THAT HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG. I HAVE USED A SUN COVER AND PARKED IN SHADED SPOTS, NEVER LEAVING THE DASH IN THE SUN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRACKING BECAUSE IT IS INVOLVING THE AIRBAG AND I AM WORRIED THE AIRBAG WILL NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. OR THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY UNNECCESARILY AND DANGEROUSLY WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285516

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2009
Air BagsStructure

SEVERAL ACURAS TL 2004 HAVE HUGE CRACKS ON TOP OF THE AIRBAGS, OUR MEMBERS HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRACKED DASHBOARD BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. ALTHOUGH WE DON'T KNOW OF ANY CASES YET, IT IS REASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT CRACKS THAT DEVELOP WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO A…

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SEVERAL ACURAS TL 2004 HAVE HUGE CRACKS ON TOP OF THE AIRBAGS, OUR MEMBERS HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRACKED DASHBOARD BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. ALTHOUGH WE DON'T KNOW OF ANY CASES YET, IT IS REASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT CRACKS THAT DEVELOP WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD. WE JUST CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BE PERMANENTLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART TO ACT UPON THIS, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. . LINK: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TOPIC.PHP?UI...D=106173928650 WE ALSO HAVE A GROUP ON FACEBOOK CALLED ACURA TL DEFECTIVE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285493

47,000 miles · Sep 26, 2009
Structure

THERE IS NO INCIDENT TO MY KNOWLEDGE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT AN INCIDENT FROM HAPPENING BEFORE IT DOES. 2004-2005 ACURA TL DASH WILL CRACK WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TO DEPLOY. THESE CRACKS COULD AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN A CRASH AND CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR. I WOULD NOT KNOW THE …

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THERE IS NO INCIDENT TO MY KNOWLEDGE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT AN INCIDENT FROM HAPPENING BEFORE IT DOES. 2004-2005 ACURA TL DASH WILL CRACK WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TO DEPLOY. THESE CRACKS COULD AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN A CRASH AND CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR. I WOULD NOT KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER OF AFFECTED PEOPLE BUT THERE IS A GROUP ON FACEBOOK WITH OVER 30 CASES REPORTED, NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF CASES NOT REPORTED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285329

29,000 miles · Aug 11, 2008
StructureSuspensionTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB NUMBER 05-076 THAT WAS ISSUED BY ACURA. THE TSB PERTAINS TO TIRE WEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOADED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP WITH 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB NUMBER 05-076 THAT WAS ISSUED BY ACURA. THE TSB PERTAINS TO TIRE WEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOADED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP WITH 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TRIP WAS 5,600 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALD A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. HE CALLED THE ACURA DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TIRES WITH THE TOWING ISSUE AND THE TSB, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE BOTH ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER DIDN'T BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES. HE BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE POOR DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IN HIS CASE WAS ABOUT 300LBS COMPRISED OF SUITCASES AND HIS DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT (THE SUITCASES WERE IN THE TRUNK). WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE NOTICED THE TREAD ON THE TIRES HAD WORN DOWN TO NOTHING. UPDATED 09/10/08

NHTSA ODI #10237705

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2006
Air BagsStructure

THIS IS A NEAR MISS PROBLEM. WE OWN AN ACURA TL 2004. IT HAS TERRIBLE BLIND SPOTS. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM ARISES BECAUSE THE BARS WITH THE AIR BAGS IN THEM ARE SO WIDE THAT THEY CAN HIDE AN ENTIRE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD DEVELOP EXTRA MECHANISMS TO ANTICIPATE POSSIBLE VEHICLES, AND I FEEL MUCH LESS SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN…

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THIS IS A NEAR MISS PROBLEM. WE OWN AN ACURA TL 2004. IT HAS TERRIBLE BLIND SPOTS. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM ARISES BECAUSE THE BARS WITH THE AIR BAGS IN THEM ARE SO WIDE THAT THEY CAN HIDE AN ENTIRE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD DEVELOP EXTRA MECHANISMS TO ANTICIPATE POSSIBLE VEHICLES, AND I FEEL MUCH LESS SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. ALSO, THE HVAC SYSTEM IS SO COMPLEX THAT IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANAGE IT WHILE DRIVING. I HOPE YOU WILL START TO LOOK TO SEE IF YOU SEE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ACURA'S OR OTHER VEHICLES WITH BROAD AIR BAG HOLDERS AND COMPLICATED HEATING AND AC SYSTEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161095

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.