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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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93,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Air Bags

I'D LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH ACURA. THEIR AIRBAGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DEPLOY SPONTANEOUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED YESTERDAY TO ME 2/15/2010. I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 83 IN BALTIMORE AT AROUND 6AM AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR WARNING, MY FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S…

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I'D LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH ACURA. THEIR AIRBAGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DEPLOY SPONTANEOUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED YESTERDAY TO ME 2/15/2010. I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 83 IN BALTIMORE AT AROUND 6AM AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR WARNING, MY FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2005 ACURA TL. I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS SHOOTING OR MY TIRE BLEW OUT. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, EXCEPT THE AIR BAG DAMAGE. IT DAMAGED MY DRIVER?S SEAT AND INTERIOR ROOF IN THE FRONT AND BACK. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS INFLATE. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN. AFTER SETTLING AT WORK, I PLACE A CALL TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TO NORRIS ACURA (ELLICOTT CITY, MD) WHERE I HAVE MY AUTO SERVICE DONE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ASKED ME TO CONTACT ACURA BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. ACURA ASKED ME TO BRING MY CAR IN THE NEXT DAY. THEY EVALUATED THE CAR AND ASKED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THEY INSIST THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A POT HOLE, ICE OR SOMETHING. I HIT NOTHING. IF THAT WAS THE CASE AND I HIT SOMETHING, THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND INFLATED. THEY NEVER INFLATED, THEY JUST DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING ALSO NEVER DEPLOYED. SO IF THEY SAY THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING, THEN THE AIRBAGS ARE STILL DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT HAVE PROTECTED ME IN AN IMPACT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW WITH 3 DEPLOYED AIRBAGS (DRIVER'S SIDE) WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311086

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2009
Air Bags

I AM HAPPY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. I OWN A 2005 ACURA TL BASE AND MY DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIRBAG IS SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY HAS CRACKS IN IT. IT SEEMS ALL 04-05 ACURA TL MODELS ARE STARTING TO NOTICE THESE CRACKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295516

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2009
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD CRACKS 2-12 INCHES IN LENGTH. CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. COULD CRACKS EFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292323

72,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Air Bags

MY 2005 ACURA TL AS WELL AS MY FIANCE'S 2004 ACURA TL HAVE DEVELOPED DASHBOARD CRACKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACES AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE AIRBAGS EXPLODING UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO THIS AS IT SEEMS PRESSURE IN THE AIRBAG IS PUSHING UP THE DASH. WE'VE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER TL OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.…

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MY 2005 ACURA TL AS WELL AS MY FIANCE'S 2004 ACURA TL HAVE DEVELOPED DASHBOARD CRACKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACES AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE AIRBAGS EXPLODING UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO THIS AS IT SEEMS PRESSURE IN THE AIRBAG IS PUSHING UP THE DASH. WE'VE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER TL OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ACURA IS RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND QUOTES WELL IN EXCESS OF $1000 JUST FOR THE LABOR TO FIX A CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART THAT MAY HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285510

Official recalls

5

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.

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

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.