NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
551 reports122,000 miles · May 20, 2018
Power Train
ONE OF THE FRONT AXLES SHEARED (BROKE IN HALF). THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. AN ACCIDENT DIDN'T RESULT BUT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE AXLE WAS MADE WITH WEAK METAL. THE CAR HAD 122,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS …
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ONE OF THE FRONT AXLES SHEARED (BROKE IN HALF). THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. AN ACCIDENT DIDN'T RESULT BUT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE AXLE WAS MADE WITH WEAK METAL. THE CAR HAD 122,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS SINCE BEEN SOLD TO CARMAX. THE OTHER FRONT AXLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BUT LIKELY IS MADE OF THE SAME WEAK METAL. I HAVE THE BROKEN AXLE AND WILL SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER MONTH.
NHTSA ODI #11096902
170,000 miles · May 17, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #11096464
194,604 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,604.
NHTSA ODI #11084419
35,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsSeat Belts
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANUFACTURER HAS LIFETIME SEAT BELT WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE SWITCH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT. SO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A CAR WITH NO AIR BAGS BEC…
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AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE. MANUFACTURER HAS LIFETIME SEAT BELT WARRANTY BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE SWITCH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT. SO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAS TO DRIVE A CAR WITH NO AIR BAGS BECAUSE HONDA/ACURA WILL NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS, AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11080263
173,000 miles · Mar 17, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I BOUGHT A USED 2004 ACURA TL THAT HAS RUN FINE FOR 6 MONTHS SO FAR. JUST LAST NIGHT, WHEN STATIONARY AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, STALLING OUT AND RAMPING UP TO 5000 RPM. AFTER A GREEN LIGHT WITH CARS BEHIND ME AND I CAN'T MOVE AN INCH. I TAKE MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALIST TO LEARN THAT TH…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2004 ACURA TL THAT HAS RUN FINE FOR 6 MONTHS SO FAR. JUST LAST NIGHT, WHEN STATIONARY AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, STALLING OUT AND RAMPING UP TO 5000 RPM. AFTER A GREEN LIGHT WITH CARS BEHIND ME AND I CAN'T MOVE AN INCH. I TAKE MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALIST TO LEARN THAT THERE IS COOLANT MIXING WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FOR ACURA TL'S IN 2004. RECALL NUMBER 04V176000 . THE TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALIST SAID THAT IN 23 YEARS WORKING HE COULDN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME HE SAW THIS PROBLEM IN A HONDA, HE THOUGHT THEY CALLED BACK THOSE COOLERS. ANYWAY, CALLING MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER, THEY JUST LOOKED UP MY VIN AND TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ASSIGNED TO MY CAR, AND THEREFORE THEY CAN'T DO THE RECALL WORK. YET I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL! I READ THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO DO RECALL WORK FOR 10 YEARS BUT THEY MIGHT DO OLDER WORK (14 YRS) IN THIS CASE SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OLD CARS STILL ON THE ROAD, OR IF IT POSES A RISK TO THE ROAD (WHICH IN THIS CASE IT CERTAINLY DOES). I'M LOOKING AT A $2600 FIX THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND I'M BEING BLOWN OFF. 'ON SOME 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.'
NHTSA ODI #11079910
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2018
Exterior LightingPower TrainSteering
PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING, MINE IS LEAKING WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, PREVIOUS RECALL ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAULT, PREVIOUS RECALL ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING, CURRENT RECALL ON BALL JOINTS, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC I HAVE A BALL JOINT PROBLEM, CURRENT PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. REPL…
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PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING, MINE IS LEAKING WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, PREVIOUS RECALL ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAULT, PREVIOUS RECALL ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING, CURRENT RECALL ON BALL JOINTS, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC I HAVE A BALL JOINT PROBLEM, CURRENT PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. REPLACED BALLAST WITH NEW ONE AND HEAD LIGHT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WENT OUT AGAIN, NOTICE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11075772
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2018
Power Train
MY 2004 ACURA TL IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC SO THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A CRASH. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DID NOT…
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MY 2004 ACURA TL IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC SO THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A CRASH. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING AND THAT SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS OUTLINED IN RECALL #04V176000.
NHTSA ODI #11073354
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2018
Unknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #11064496
130,000 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Power Train
BOUGHT USED ON 1/1 /2018,DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN IT FELT LIKE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. WE WERE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM MY HOUSE FROM WHERE WE BOUGHT CAR. WE THEN HAD TO PULL OVER ,SHUT THE CAR OFF , WAIT 5 MINUTES AND START CAR FOR IT NOT EVEN GO A MILE AND WE WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT. WE WERE TRAVELI…
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BOUGHT USED ON 1/1 /2018,DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN IT FELT LIKE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. WE WERE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM MY HOUSE FROM WHERE WE BOUGHT CAR. WE THEN HAD TO PULL OVER ,SHUT THE CAR OFF , WAIT 5 MINUTES AND START CAR FOR IT NOT EVEN GO A MILE AND WE WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT. WE WERE TRAVELING ON BUSY PARKWAY AND THIS BECAME A TRAFFIC HAZARD DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC.THE CAR WILL SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AND HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11058436
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2017
Structure
CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD APPEAR RAPIDLY, STARTING BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LOCATION. FIRST CRACK A WEEK AGO AND NOW A ANOTHER ONE......AFRAID THAT AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY AND ACCORDING TO MANY ACURA TL 2004 OWNERS THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND UPSETTING MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #11055042
Official recalls
4Mar 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.
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).
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.
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 ↗