IllustrationDASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED DEEP, LONG CRACKS IN A SQUARE SURROUNDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THIS EXTREMELY COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. *TR
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
What owners actually said
551 reportsONE DAY I GOT IN THE CAR AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. SINCE THEN IT IS BEGINNING TO SPREAD. *TR
I GOT IN MY CAR YESTERDAY AFTER WORK, TO FIND A CRACK OVER 6 INCHES LONG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, NEAR WHERE THE AIRBAG WOULD BE LOCATED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MOST ARE REPORTING MORE CRACKS APPEARING AND THE CRACKS GROWING LONGER IN SIZE. I ASSUME MY DASH WILL DO THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE'S AND BE…
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I GOT IN MY CAR YESTERDAY AFTER WORK, TO FIND A CRACK OVER 6 INCHES LONG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, NEAR WHERE THE AIRBAG WOULD BE LOCATED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MOST ARE REPORTING MORE CRACKS APPEARING AND THE CRACKS GROWING LONGER IN SIZE. I ASSUME MY DASH WILL DO THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE'S AND BECOME WORSE. I BELIEVE IT IS TEMPERATURE/HEAT RELATED (EXPANSION/CONTRACTION) BUT IS NO FAULT OF MY OWN. CAN YOU SAY RECALL!!! *TR
THE DASH HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I AM CONCERNED THAT SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. *TR
MY 2004 ACURA TL STARTED TO HAVE MINOR CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD LAST NOVEMBER AND THEN IT SLOWLY SPREAD ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE LONG CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY ACURA TL (2004 & 2005 MODEL) OWNERS WHO HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES …
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MY 2004 ACURA TL STARTED TO HAVE MINOR CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD LAST NOVEMBER AND THEN IT SLOWLY SPREAD ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE LONG CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY ACURA TL (2004 & 2005 MODEL) OWNERS WHO HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE OLDER THAN THE ACURA TL AND THOSE VEHICLES DASHBOARDS ARE COMPLETELY FINE. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL AND ACURA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS PART. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CARE IN THIS MANNER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT MIGHT IMPACT THE AIR BAGS OR MAY NOT DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. SO, PLEASE HELP ALL OF US ACURA TL OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR
I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT APPEARS TO OUTLINE THE AIRBAG. THERE ARE TWO SMALL CRACKS ON THE DASH AS WELL. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT THESE CRACKS MAKE THE DEPLOYMENT OF MY AIRBAGS DEFECTIVE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *TR
FIRST, I NOTICED THE LIGHT INDICATING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH MY ADULT MALE FRIEND WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LATER THAT DAY, I NOTICED A CRACK, APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES LONG. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG, AND RAN ALONG THE ENTIRE RIGHT EDGE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPART…
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FIRST, I NOTICED THE LIGHT INDICATING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH MY ADULT MALE FRIEND WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LATER THAT DAY, I NOTICED A CRACK, APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES LONG. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG, AND RAN ALONG THE ENTIRE RIGHT EDGE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. SINCE THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT, IT HAS BEEN INCONSISTENTLY RESPONDING TO THE SAME ADULT MALE PASSENGER BY ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING THE AIRBAG. *JS
THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE ENTIRE DASH IS CRACKED AT THIS POINT. THIS IS A KNOW ACURA ISSUE THAT THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS IN MASS BUT HAVE ASSISTED MANY OWNERS IN VARYING DEGREES. *TR
CRACKED ALONG SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. TWO LINES (ON EACH SIDE OF THE AIRBAG) ABOUT 12" LONG. AND THERE IS ALSO ABOUT 3 OTHER CRACKS THAT RANDOMLY APPEARED! I WON'T BUY ANOTHER ACURA PRODUCT IF THIS ISN'T FIXED AND WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY ONE! THIS WAS ZERO FAULT OF MY OWN AND BY THE SOUND OF IT, IT HAPPENS TO A BUNCH OF…
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CRACKED ALONG SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. TWO LINES (ON EACH SIDE OF THE AIRBAG) ABOUT 12" LONG. AND THERE IS ALSO ABOUT 3 OTHER CRACKS THAT RANDOMLY APPEARED! I WON'T BUY ANOTHER ACURA PRODUCT IF THIS ISN'T FIXED AND WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY ONE! THIS WAS ZERO FAULT OF MY OWN AND BY THE SOUND OF IT, IT HAPPENS TO A BUNCH OF THEIR DASHES IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL!! *TR
LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE AIRBAG. IT GETS BIGGER EVERY DAY ESPECIALLY WHEN I TURN THE AC ON AFTER THE DASH HAS BEEN HOT FROM PARKING IN THE SUN. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND NOT IN THE HEAT VERY MUCH. *TR
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.