IllustrationDASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKS FORMING AROUND AIRBAG LOCATION. *TR
2005 Acura Tl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tl years
Owner complaints for the 2005 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
220–25K
2825–50K
5450–75K
5675–100K
76100–150K
41150K+
277 reports with mileage · 111 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 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
144 reportsMY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN (MORE ON THAN OFF). I NOTICE THAT THIS HAPPENS ON OTHER 2005 TL ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT LISTING I REVIEWED. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT BACK TO ACURA YET AS I WANT TO SEE RESEARCH. *JS
CRACKED DASHBOARD OVER AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THERE ARE POST AND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE ACURA TL 2005 AND A FEW OTHER YEARS! I HAVE ANOTHER THAT JUST CAME UP TODAY 2-20-14 OF A CRACK DOWN THE CENTER INTO THE SPEAKER ON THE DASH. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT IS OVER THE AIRBAG AND CAN …
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CRACKED DASHBOARD OVER AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THERE ARE POST AND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE ACURA TL 2005 AND A FEW OTHER YEARS! I HAVE ANOTHER THAT JUST CAME UP TODAY 2-20-14 OF A CRACK DOWN THE CENTER INTO THE SPEAKER ON THE DASH. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT IS OVER THE AIRBAG AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY ACURA! *TR
MY DASHBOARD ARE CRACKING OVER NIGHT. IT WAS FIRST ONE SMALL CRACK AND NOW I HAVE 3 AREA THAT HAVE CRACK. THIS ALL HAPPEN WITHIN A WEEK! THE CRACK ARE GETTING BIGGER AS DAY GO BY. ONE OF THE CRACK IS OVER THE AIRBAG AND I FEEL UNSAFE. THERE ARE SOME PLASTIC ON THE DASH AND IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT, FEAR THOSE PARTICLE MAY FLY AT…
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MY DASHBOARD ARE CRACKING OVER NIGHT. IT WAS FIRST ONE SMALL CRACK AND NOW I HAVE 3 AREA THAT HAVE CRACK. THIS ALL HAPPEN WITHIN A WEEK! THE CRACK ARE GETTING BIGGER AS DAY GO BY. ONE OF THE CRACK IS OVER THE AIRBAG AND I FEEL UNSAFE. THERE ARE SOME PLASTIC ON THE DASH AND IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT, FEAR THOSE PARTICLE MAY FLY AT ME. I DID MY RESEARCH AND MAY ACURA TL MODEL FROM 2004-2008 HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAD THIS ISSUE AT EARLY AS 20,000 MILES. *TR
A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE AIRBAG WAS NOTICED THE SUMMER OF 2012. IT STARTED OUT SMALL AND EVENTUALLY RAN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASH. SINCE THAT DAY SEVERAL MORE CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES HAVE APPEARED DURING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR. HEAT CAUSES THE CRACKS TO CLOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THEM AND O…
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A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE AIRBAG WAS NOTICED THE SUMMER OF 2012. IT STARTED OUT SMALL AND EVENTUALLY RAN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASH. SINCE THAT DAY SEVERAL MORE CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES HAVE APPEARED DURING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR. HEAT CAUSES THE CRACKS TO CLOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THEM AND OPEN UP WHEN THE WEATHER OR INTERIOR IS COOLER. YESTERDAY THE 6TH CRACK APPEARED, THIS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE ENTIRE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS VISIBLE WITH BOTH SIDES OUTLINED BY CRACKS. HEAT ALONE IS NOT CAUSING THIS AS THE LAST CRACK WAS NOTICED IN 40 DEGREE WEATHER. WITH THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAVING CRACKS I AM WORRIED THAT THE DASH IS UNSTABLE AND COULD BREAK OFF DURING A CRASH AND BECOME A DANGEROUS PIECE OF DEBRIS WHEN (IF) THE AIRBAG IS ACTIVATED IN A CRASH. I AM ALSO WORRIED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE DUE TO THE DAMAGE TO THE DASH. *TR
MY CARS DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK GOES DOWN THE SIDE OF WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. NOW MY DASHBOARD IS RIDDLED WITH CRACKS AND ACURA STATES THAT IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL AND I SHOULD NOT FEAR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING DUE TO THE CRACKS. I'M NOT ALONE AS …
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MY CARS DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK GOES DOWN THE SIDE OF WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. NOW MY DASHBOARD IS RIDDLED WITH CRACKS AND ACURA STATES THAT IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL AND I SHOULD NOT FEAR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING DUE TO THE CRACKS. I'M NOT ALONE AS I HAVE READ COUNTLESS STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE. I THINK IT'S TIME THAT ACURA STEPS UP AND HANDLES THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN. *TR
AIR BAG DASH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. *JS
VEHICLE DASH COVER HAS LARGE CRACKS RUNNING FROM DEFROST OUTLETS AFT TO REAR EDGE OF DASH COVER, PATICULARLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. PASSENGER AIR BAG IS POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO UV DAMAGE AND OTHER CONTAMINATION EFFECTING DEPLOYMENT RELIABILITY. *JS
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF 2004-2008 ACURA TL OWNERS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES HAVING TO TAKE THEIR CARS IN TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF A SPLIT DASHBOARD PROBLEM IN THEIR CARS, INCLUDING MYSELF. ALTHOUGH SOME DASHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, IN MOST CASES, THE DASH CRACKS JUST AS THE WARRAN…
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IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF 2004-2008 ACURA TL OWNERS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES HAVING TO TAKE THEIR CARS IN TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF A SPLIT DASHBOARD PROBLEM IN THEIR CARS, INCLUDING MYSELF. ALTHOUGH SOME DASHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, IN MOST CASES, THE DASH CRACKS JUST AS THE WARRANTY ENDS. IN SOME CASES, DEALERS WILL DO A GOOD WILL REPAIR, RECOGNIZING IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER, SOME DEALERSHIPS, ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE PART AND WANT TO CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE DASH.THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE SRS AIRBAG IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ITSELF, AND COULD POSSIBLY DEPLOY AT ANYTIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Official recalls
519V182000 · 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.
07V097000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Mar 14, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
05V132000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Apr 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A LOOSE TERMINAL IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 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.