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 reports
1,400 miles · Apr 17, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipment
CAR BROUGHT IN AT 1500 MILES ONLY 2.5 WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY... HARD TO START AND IDLE ROUGH, DEALER ACTION REPLACVING ALL FUEL INJECTORS, ALSO, VOICE RECOGNITION FAILED THREE TIMES AFTER PHONE WAS SINKED WITH CAR, THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY WOULD FAIL TO CLOSE THE PHONE SCREEN AND ALL OTHER VOICE COMMANDS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. D…
Read full complaint
CAR BROUGHT IN AT 1500 MILES ONLY 2.5 WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY... HARD TO START AND IDLE ROUGH, DEALER ACTION REPLACVING ALL FUEL INJECTORS, ALSO, VOICE RECOGNITION FAILED THREE TIMES AFTER PHONE WAS SINKED WITH CAR, THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY WOULD FAIL TO CLOSE THE PHONE SCREEN AND ALL OTHER VOICE COMMANDS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. DEALER ACTION, ORDER NEW PHONE MODULE, TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CONCERNS WITH THE HANDS FREE LINK SYSTEM ON THE 04 TL'S.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066367
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2004
SuspensionTires
VIBRATION AND SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL DUE TO VIBRATION AND UNBALANCED FEELING FROM FRONT TIRES. IT SEEMS THAT THE FRONT WHEELS AND/OR SUSPENSION HAVE PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE THEM BE UNBALANCED AND MAKE DRIVING FEEL UNCONTROLLED.
NHTSA ODI #10066130
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2004
Tires
BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES THAT ARE OEM ON MY NEW 2004 ACURA TL HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH "FLAT SPOTTING". THIS PERFECT CAR RUNS LIKE A FLINTSTONE CAR UNTIL TIRES WARM UP AND ROUND OUT. ACURA IS REPLACING WITH SAME BRAND AND MODEL TIRES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10065940
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS OFFER A DANGEROUSLY LOW AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROADS WITH DIPS AND HILLS AND CURVES ESPECIALLY IN NEIGHBORHOODS. LACK OF AMBIENT LIGHT ELIMINATES ANY CHANCE AT THE SPLIT-SECOND DECISION NEEDED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE DEER OR CAT CROSSING OR PEDESTRIAN IN YOUR PATH. NORMALLY AT LOW NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS YOUR BRIGHT L…
Read full complaint
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS OFFER A DANGEROUSLY LOW AMOUNT OF LIGHT ON ROADS WITH DIPS AND HILLS AND CURVES ESPECIALLY IN NEIGHBORHOODS. LACK OF AMBIENT LIGHT ELIMINATES ANY CHANCE AT THE SPLIT-SECOND DECISION NEEDED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE DEER OR CAT CROSSING OR PEDESTRIAN IN YOUR PATH. NORMALLY AT LOW NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS YOUR BRIGHT LIGHT BEAMS ARE NOT NEEDED OR USED SO THE BLACKED OUT AREAS CAN POP UP AT ANYTIME WITH NO WARNING. THESE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS IF THEY ARE NOT REPLACED WITH ONES THAT ARE PRACTICAL FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING. WHAT WORKS ON A TEST TRACK ISN'T ALWAYS BEST FOR THE AVERAGE DRIVER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10060234
6 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Power Train
SEVERE VIBRATION AT MOST SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN THE 40 - 60 MPH RANGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058824
3,000 miles · Feb 20, 2004
Tires
TIRE VIBRATION. AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE TIRES CAUSE THE ENTIRE CAR TO VIBRATE. THIS CONTINUES AT ALL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DOES NOT SEEM TO GO AWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA SEVERAL TIMES AND ACURA'S ENGINEERS 'ARE LOOKING INTO IT'. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058552
500 miles · Feb 17, 2004
Exterior Lighting
THE LEFT HEADLAMP BEAM CREATES A DARK/BLIND SPOT ABOUT 5-6' INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE DRIVER'S EYES START FOCUSING ON THIS SPOT AT HIGH SPEEDS THE DRIVER MISSES THE LANES AND GETS BLINDED, DAZED AND CONFUSED - A CAUSE THAT MAY VERY SOON CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10058374
500 miles · Feb 17, 2004
Power Train
VEHICLE VIBRATION AT CONSTANT SPEEDS IN THE RANGE A) 30-40 MPH; AND B) 50-60 MPH; THIS VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE CREATES AN AVERSION TO DRIVE WITH THE VIBRATION AND THEREFORE EXCEED THESE SPEED LIMITS ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL SPEED LIMITS POSTED MAY BE LOWER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10058372
1,400 miles · Feb 6, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringUnknown Or Other
THE VSA (STABILITY CONTROL) SYSTEM ON MY 2004 ACURA TL MALFUNCTIONED. THE SYSTEM WOULD CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO ACTIVATE BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CAR TO SEVERLY SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. AFTER A HALF-SECOND OR SO, THE VSA WOULD DISENGAGE AND THE FAULT INDICATOR WOULD LITE UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACURA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIA…
Read full complaint
THE VSA (STABILITY CONTROL) SYSTEM ON MY 2004 ACURA TL MALFUNCTIONED. THE SYSTEM WOULD CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO ACTIVATE BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CAR TO SEVERLY SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. AFTER A HALF-SECOND OR SO, THE VSA WOULD DISENGAGE AND THE FAULT INDICATOR WOULD LITE UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACURA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE VSA FAULT CODES ARE NOT STORED IN THE VEHICLE'S MEMORY AFTER THE CAR IS RESTARTED AND THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY RESETS. THIS RESULTED IN HAVING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE FAULT RE-OCCURED. EVENTUALLY, WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR (BECAUSE WE LEFT IT RUNNING SO AS NOT TO CLEAR THE CODE). THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A YAW RATE SENSOR IN THE VSA SYSTEM. ACURA SHOULD MAKE THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO DEALERS. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THERE IS NOTHING A DRIVER CAN DO TO PREDICT OR PREVENT WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. SINCE MY SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056676
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2004
Tires
SEVERE VIBRATION FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES ON MY NEW 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 1400 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE FLAT-SPOTTING IN THE TIRES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE ARE NOT SAFE. ACURA OF DAYTON, OHIO, ACURA CORPORATE AND BRIDGESTONE SAY THEY IS NOTHING TH…
Read full complaint
SEVERE VIBRATION FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES ON MY NEW 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 1400 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE FLAT-SPOTTING IN THE TIRES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE ARE NOT SAFE. ACURA OF DAYTON, OHIO, ACURA CORPORATE AND BRIDGESTONE SAY THEY IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. OTHER 2004 ACURA OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH ACURA AND THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES INCLUDING ONE CALLED TIRE RACK. *JB
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.
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).
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.
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.
2004 Acura Tl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year