IllustrationAS YOU CAN SEE, THESE AREN'T SMALL HAIRLINE CRACKS, THEY ARE NASTY A## LONG CRACKS ALL OVER. EACH DAY THE CRACK GET WORST AND OPEN. IT DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS AIRBAGS UNDER THOSE DASHBOARD.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
400–25K
3425–50K
7750–75K
9375–100K
113100–150K
46150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
49 reportsDASH IS COMPLETELY COVERED IN CRACKS. I FEEL LIKE THIS CAN'T BE SAFE WITH THE AIRBAGS UNDERNEATH THE CRACKS. ALSO, WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS IN MY CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON.
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…
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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.
THERE IS A VERY COMMON ISSUES GOING ON WITH THESE ACURA FROM 2000 UP TO 2008. WITH TRANSMISSION GOING BAD. I RESEARCH IT AND FOUND OUT WITH EVERY SHOP AND PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWN WITH THOSE ACURA TL 2000 UP TO 2005.PLEASE CAN SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS AT SOME POINT. THE STOP…
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THERE IS A VERY COMMON ISSUES GOING ON WITH THESE ACURA FROM 2000 UP TO 2008. WITH TRANSMISSION GOING BAD. I RESEARCH IT AND FOUND OUT WITH EVERY SHOP AND PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWN WITH THOSE ACURA TL 2000 UP TO 2005.PLEASE CAN SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS AT SOME POINT. THE STOP ACCELERATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY.THAT WAS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME.
AT ABOUT 8 YRS AGO, CRACKS STARTED TO APPEAR AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIBAG ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACKS HAVE MULTIPLIED AND LENGTHENED SINCE THAT TIME SO THAT NOW THEY APPEAR DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BEING INCAPABLE OF RESTRAINING THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT KNOW WHY ACURA NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AS I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS F…
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AT ABOUT 8 YRS AGO, CRACKS STARTED TO APPEAR AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIBAG ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACKS HAVE MULTIPLIED AND LENGTHENED SINCE THAT TIME SO THAT NOW THEY APPEAR DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BEING INCAPABLE OF RESTRAINING THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT KNOW WHY ACURA NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AS I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WITH THIS SAME DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT IN ACURA TL MODELS 2004 THRU 2008.
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.
CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. WILL NOT CHANGE OUR OF PARK. ENGINEERS TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT FIRE. FUEL PUMP WILL NOT COME ON.
DASH IS CRACKED IN MY 2004 ACURA TL AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A BIG MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE MAJORITY OF CARS I'VE SEEN AS WELL AS MINE ARE SHOWING THIS PROBLEM THAT AFFECT NOT ONLY THE INTERIOR COSMETIC LOOK OF THE CARS BUT ALSO THE SAFETY SINCE IT INVOLVES THE AIR BAGS SECTION THAT ARE PROTECTE…
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DASH IS CRACKED IN MY 2004 ACURA TL AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A BIG MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE MAJORITY OF CARS I'VE SEEN AS WELL AS MINE ARE SHOWING THIS PROBLEM THAT AFFECT NOT ONLY THE INTERIOR COSMETIC LOOK OF THE CARS BUT ALSO THE SAFETY SINCE IT INVOLVES THE AIR BAGS SECTION THAT ARE PROTECTED ON THE DASH. AT LEAST ACURA SHOULD GIVE TL'S OWNERS A DISCOUNT IF A RECALL IS NOT OPEN FOR THIS PROBLEM.
DASHBOARD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CRACKS. CRACKS ARE SPREADING. SOME LOCATED NEAR AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE. VERY CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND/OR DASHBOARD WILL SHATTER DURING DEPLOYMENT INCREASING RISK OF INJURY
BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY AND REDUCES STOPPING POWER DUE TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE VSA MODULATOR. (2004-06). I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE, AFTER NOTICING MY BREAKS WERE SOFT AND LESS EFFECTIVE OVER THE PAST FEW TIMES I DROVE. THEY WANT TO CHARGE 2.6K TO REPAIR THE MODULE, DESPITE THEM CLEARLY HAVING ISS…
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BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY AND REDUCES STOPPING POWER DUE TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE VSA MODULATOR. (2004-06). I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE, AFTER NOTICING MY BREAKS WERE SOFT AND LESS EFFECTIVE OVER THE PAST FEW TIMES I DROVE. THEY WANT TO CHARGE 2.6K TO REPAIR THE MODULE, DESPITE THEM CLEARLY HAVING ISSUES IN THE PAST. I'M HOPING YOU WILL ISSUE A RECALL SO WE CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE FEW CAN AFFORD.
Official recalls
419V182000 · 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
1PE07060 · 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.