← New search

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

What owners actually said

551 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2005
Electrical System

ON 1/19/05 MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AUTODIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR FEATURE, & POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. I IMMIDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED. ON 1/27/05 I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND DIRTY WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW WAS HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE DIRT WITH THE WASHER FLUID, BUT …

Read full complaint

ON 1/19/05 MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AUTODIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR FEATURE, & POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. I IMMIDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED. ON 1/27/05 I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND DIRTY WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW WAS HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE DIRT WITH THE WASHER FLUID, BUT IT AGAIN WAS NOT WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2004 ACURA TLS AND THAT ACURA IS WORKING ON IT. THEY REPALCED THE FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IN THE MEANTIME I CAN'T RELY ON MY WASHER FLUID TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS TO MY VISION, WHICH MAY CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER RAIN AND SNOWFALL. CURRENTLY, NO PERMINENT SOLUTION WAS OFFERRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10108053

14,000 miles · Jan 3, 2005
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 52 - 58 MPH STEERING COLUMN SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106662

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2004
SeatsSteeringStructure

SERIOUS VIBRATION IN 2004 ACURA TL. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, SEATS AND FLOOR PAN. REPLACED AND REBALANCED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. *BF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES BETWEEN THE 52 AND 58 MPH REGARDLESS OF GEAR SELECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS SO ANNOYING THAT HE AVOIDS THAT PARTICULAR SPEED RANGE. MICHELIN XG…

Read full complaint

SERIOUS VIBRATION IN 2004 ACURA TL. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, SEATS AND FLOOR PAN. REPLACED AND REBALANCED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. *BF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES BETWEEN THE 52 AND 58 MPH REGARDLESS OF GEAR SELECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS SO ANNOYING THAT HE AVOIDS THAT PARTICULAR SPEED RANGE. MICHELIN XGT Z4'S WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO BEFORE INITIATING THE LEMON LAW PROCESS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL MOST LIKELY CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF VARIOUS SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND TIRES. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10108913

500 miles · Dec 30, 2004
Power Train

MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS A CONSISTENT VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. THE VIBRATION SEEMS TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND IT IS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH OR GREATER THAN 60 MPH. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM…

Read full complaint

MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS A CONSISTENT VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. THE VIBRATION SEEMS TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND IT IS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH OR GREATER THAN 60 MPH. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE CALLED ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY INDICATE THAT THE VIBRATION IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OTHER CAR WITH A SIMILAR CHARACTERISTIC, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH ACURA IS CHOOSING NOT TO FIX.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104804

458 miles · Dec 22, 2004
Power Train

VIBRATION LEADING TO A SHUDDER IN THE FRONT END OF A 2004 ACURA TL. VIBRATION STARTS AT 1500 RPM UP THROUGH 2000 RPM AT 45 MPH THROUGH 60 MPH. VIBRATION AND SHUDDER IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE AND CAN BE QUITE SEVERE CAUSING YOU TO SLOW DOWN. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN OCTOBER 2004. THEY H…

Read full complaint

VIBRATION LEADING TO A SHUDDER IN THE FRONT END OF A 2004 ACURA TL. VIBRATION STARTS AT 1500 RPM UP THROUGH 2000 RPM AT 45 MPH THROUGH 60 MPH. VIBRATION AND SHUDDER IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE AND CAN BE QUITE SEVERE CAUSING YOU TO SLOW DOWN. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN OCTOBER 2004. THEY HAVE ALIGNED THE MOTOR MOUNTS, BALANCED THE TIRES, ADJUSTED THE SOLENOID ON THE TRANSMISSION AND ADJUSTED A HEAT SHIELD . STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. SPOKE WITH ACURA CLIENT SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A DRIVING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR BUT THEIR ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON IT. THEY ASSIGNED A CASE # TO IT B01-2004-11-1100593, MY CASE MANAGERS NAME IS ED. AT PRESENT THEY HAVE NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND I DON'T FEEL THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE NOTICED MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET FROM OTHER ACURA TL OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104361

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2004
SteeringTires

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ACURA TL LAST DECEMBER. FROM THE GET GO, THE CAR HAS CONTINUOUSLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK 5 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, TIRES REPLACED AND STILL IT PULLS TO THE LEFT. WE HAVE NOTIFIED ACURA AND A REP. CAME IN BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR I SIGNED A DOCUMENT RELEA…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ACURA TL LAST DECEMBER. FROM THE GET GO, THE CAR HAS CONTINUOUSLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK 5 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, TIRES REPLACED AND STILL IT PULLS TO THE LEFT. WE HAVE NOTIFIED ACURA AND A REP. CAME IN BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR I SIGNED A DOCUMENT RELEASING ACURA FROM THE "LEMON LAW" I ALSO CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY AS WELL AS WAVE TV 3 TROUBLESHOOTER AND WAS GIVEN THIS WEB SITE TO LOG OUR COMPLAINT. WE HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON. THIS CAR IS VERY MUCH A LEMON. IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS THE BLOWER FOR THE HEAT ALSO HAD TO BE FIXED. BASICALLY THE REP. FROM ACURA CAME HERE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR US. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM ANGRY. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. AND I WAS NOT AWARE THAT ACURA WAS EXEMPT FROM KY'S LEMON LAW. PLEASE HELP THIS CAR IS A HAZARD FOR THE CONTINOUS PULLING TO THE LEFT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102095

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2004
Tires

BRAND NEW ACURA TL 2004 (VIBRATION )BRIDGESTONE TERANZA TIRES EL42 FLAT SPOTTING. ACURA NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFIED ,HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FAIL TO DO ANYTHING. MANY USERS COMPLAINING SEE EDMUNDS .COM NEW MODEL 2005 NO LONGER USES BRIDGESTONE CHANGED TO MICHELINS. DEALER NO HELP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10100509

1,500 miles · Nov 24, 2004
Wheels

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE APRIL 2004 AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH FRONT WHEEL BALANCE SINCE ALMOST NEW. EVERY TIME I HAVE REQUESTED DEALER SERVICE THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BENT RIM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RECALL OF HITTING ANY POTHOLES. AS A RESULT OF THESE FAILURES I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABO…

Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE APRIL 2004 AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH FRONT WHEEL BALANCE SINCE ALMOST NEW. EVERY TIME I HAVE REQUESTED DEALER SERVICE THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BENT RIM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RECALL OF HITTING ANY POTHOLES. AS A RESULT OF THESE FAILURES I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE STRENGTH AND INTEGRITY OF THE MATERIALS USED IN THE WHEEL DESIGN. THREE RIMS HAVE NOW FAILED IN THE 7 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10100477

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Electrical System

THE KNOCK SENSOR WIRE SENDS EMISSION FROM THE ENGINE. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EMISSION THE SENSOR IS SUPPOSE TO ADJUST THE FUEL. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092844

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2004
SuspensionTires

MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES DUE TO VIBRATION THROUGHOUT MY CAR. THE SECOND TIME MY TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THE UPDATED EL42, AND THE VIBRATIONS STILL PERSIST, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE CAR NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. WHEN I CALLED CRISWELL ACURA OF ANNAPOLIS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PULLING TO THE LEFT…

Read full complaint

MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES DUE TO VIBRATION THROUGHOUT MY CAR. THE SECOND TIME MY TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THE UPDATED EL42, AND THE VIBRATIONS STILL PERSIST, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE CAR NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT. WHEN I CALLED CRISWELL ACURA OF ANNAPOLIS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PULLING TO THE LEFT WAS NOT AN ALINGMENT PROBLEM IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE. SO I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PROPERLY INFLATED MY TIRES. AND OF COURSE MY CAR STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091328

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.