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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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187,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Structure

I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 SINCE 2011 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE NOTICED MY DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING MORE AND MORE HAVE CRACK LINES ALL OVER THE DASH I AM NOT THE ONLY ACURA TL OWNER EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705922

29,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Air BagsStructure

THE CRACKS AROUND PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEAR. THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. SOME CHIPPING STARTED NOW. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT COULDN'T CLEAR THE LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE AND UNDER CANOPY AT…

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THE CRACKS AROUND PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEAR. THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. SOME CHIPPING STARTED NOW. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT COULDN'T CLEAR THE LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE AND UNDER CANOPY AT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10705320

145,000 miles · Apr 12, 2015
Air BagsStructure

EXTENSIVE CRACKING OF DASHBOARD COVER, INCLUDING NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH MAY CAUSE DASHBOARD PIECES TO BECOME MISSILES IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT OF THIS AIRBAG. ACURA HAS OF THIS DATE NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR IN ANY WAY THAT I KNOW OF ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PRODUCT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705168

105,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Air BagsStructure

A SMALL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD ON LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. OVER TIME, THE CRACK HAS GROWN AND ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. BOTH CRACKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH RUNNING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD DOWN PAST THE AIRBAG. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 CRACKS ON THE …

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A SMALL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD ON LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. OVER TIME, THE CRACK HAS GROWN AND ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. BOTH CRACKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH RUNNING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD DOWN PAST THE AIRBAG. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 CRACKS ON THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND THEY ARE PROGRESSING IN ALL DIRECTIONS EVERYDAY. RAPID PROGRESSION OF THESE CRACKS (SPECIALLY THE ONES AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREA) MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING AROUND THIS CAR. IF THE DASHBOARD IS NOT REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, THIS AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY PRE MATURELY AND CAUSE SERIOUS HARM AND/OR INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF MY FAMILY MEMBER. THIS DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE AND ACURA/DEALER NEEDS TO PAY FOR THE PART TO BE FIXED AND/OR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702579

25,000 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS SPIDERWEBBING WITH CRACKS, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702081

34,000 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Air BagsStructure

3 CRACKS HAVE BEEN FORMING FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS ON MY DASH FROM THE MIDDLE SPEAKER OVER TO THE LEFT AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AREA. THEY ARE NOW BEGINNING TO SPLIT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO NOW COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER RIDING ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT PRICE OF $2500 BUT THAT ACURA CORPORATE IS…

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3 CRACKS HAVE BEEN FORMING FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS ON MY DASH FROM THE MIDDLE SPEAKER OVER TO THE LEFT AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AREA. THEY ARE NOW BEGINNING TO SPLIT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO NOW COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER RIDING ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT PRICE OF $2500 BUT THAT ACURA CORPORATE IS KNOCKING OFF LESS THAN $200 FOR "GOODWILL". THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692067

126,500 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Air BagsStructure

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF A 2004 ACURA TL THAT I PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RECENT DEFECT ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED MULTIPLE TIMES DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AS WELL AS OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER…

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I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF A 2004 ACURA TL THAT I PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RECENT DEFECT ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED MULTIPLE TIMES DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AS WELL AS OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. I'M AFRAID THE CRACKS MAY CAUSE INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHICH WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF OR ANY OTHER OCCUPANT THAT MAY BE IN MY CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE ACURA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HANDLE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689889

100,000 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAD SEVERELY CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10681808

123,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Air BagsStructure

I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED 2004 ACURA TL IN 2011. THE CAR WAS IN AWESOME SHAPE. THEN IN OCT. 2014, I NOTICED TWO CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST TO THE GLOVE BOX. IT APPEARED TO OUTLINE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HAIRLINE CRACKS IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEN A COLD SPELL HIT AND THE CRACKS BECAME MUCH LARGER…

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I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED 2004 ACURA TL IN 2011. THE CAR WAS IN AWESOME SHAPE. THEN IN OCT. 2014, I NOTICED TWO CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST TO THE GLOVE BOX. IT APPEARED TO OUTLINE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HAIRLINE CRACKS IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEN A COLD SPELL HIT AND THE CRACKS BECAME MUCH LARGER. NOW A CRACK IS RUNNING ACROSS THE AIRBAG AREA. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY DUE TO THE AIRBAG BEING COMPROMISED BY A CRACKED DASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAVE PURCHASED 3 ACURA TL'S FOR MY FAMILY. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THEY SUGGESTED USING LEATHER CONDITIONER TO SOFTEN THE DASH IN HOPES OF STOPPING THE SPREAD OF THE CRACKS. THEY BLAMED IT ON ARMER ALL TYPE PRODUCT USAGE ON THE DASH. THEY EVEN GAVE ME A LEATHER CONDITIONER KIT TO APPLY. NOW, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ACURA TL DASHBOARD/AIRBAG ISSUES WITH CRACKED DASHBOARDS IN 2004-2008 MODELS. SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED WHILE ACURA/HONDA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A DASHBOARD CRACK LIKE THIS IN THE 40 YEARS OF CAR OWNERSHIP! IT SCREENS DEFECT AND MUST BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680274

115,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Air BagsStructure

IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG APPEARED AND EXTENDED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE TO GLOVE COMPARTMENT. IN THE INTERVENING MONTHS, SEVERAL MORE CRACKS NEAR THE AIRBAG HAVE APPEARED AND THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS LIVE. GIVEN THE RECENT PUBLICITY …

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IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG APPEARED AND EXTENDED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE TO GLOVE COMPARTMENT. IN THE INTERVENING MONTHS, SEVERAL MORE CRACKS NEAR THE AIRBAG HAVE APPEARED AND THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS LIVE. GIVEN THE RECENT PUBLICITY REGARDING AIRBAGS, AND THE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS OF 2004 ACURA TL'S, I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT IS BOTH WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS. SINCE ACURA IS AWARE OF THE HAZARD THESE SIGNIFICANT FAILURES PRESENT, AND TO DATE HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO CORRECT THEM, I BELIEVE THE NHTSA MUST ACT TO COMPEL ACURA TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680182

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.