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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

36 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with…

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While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before & all of a sudden it did all of the above, erratic shifting, flare up shifts, won't move. It was then put on a diagnostic scanner which showed a code for Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid but was cleared & didn't reappear. After the car has been sitting for a while (days) you can crank it, put it into drive & it is hesitant to go & will drive ONLY for a few minutes. After the transmission heats up, it stops pulling. I have read numerous complaints, safety concerns, bulletins, etc. I am devastated & lost on what's going on with the car & what can be done. I purchased my '05 TL in 2022 & haven't been able to drive it but for one & a half years. I've put so much money into the repairs & maintenance. I replaced the rear & front motor mounts, transmission speed sensor, transmission position sensor, etc. I am now disabled & don't have the means to put into it anymore. I pray there's an investigation behind these Drive train safety concerns!

NHTSA ODI #11698295

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2021
Power Train

Transmission locked up while attempting to backup. Very loud grinding noise. Could not place back in park. Had to shut off engine to free shifter to move back to park. Tried again but this time placed in drive. Exact same results. Checked internet and apparently transmission on this year and others before and after are know prob…

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Transmission locked up while attempting to backup. Very loud grinding noise. Could not place back in park. Had to shut off engine to free shifter to move back to park. Tried again but this time placed in drive. Exact same results. Checked internet and apparently transmission on this year and others before and after are know problems. Googleand you will see this. POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT - What would have been the end result having the transmission fail while on the freeway going 60 mph. Possibly could loose control of the vehicle with wheels locking up, cashing into another vehicle or a wall? This should be investigated! THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REMOVE COMPLAINT, BUT STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THE FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #11435610

158,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OUT OF NOWHERE IT LOST POWER THIS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENS. ITS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE THE LAST TIME I HAD MY BABY WITH ME AND THAT HAPPENED. I HAD TO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR ALSO WHEN I REVERSE IT TAKES LONG TO CHANGE GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11302152

162,000 miles · Dec 12, 2019
Power Train

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A SPOT, AS I USUALLY DO, THE CAR TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE (ABOUT 3-4 SEC). DROVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT A HALF-MILE, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WENT TO ACCELERATE, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T COME OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND REVVED SUPER HIGH. PULLED OVER, THEN DROVE TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT …

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I WAS BACKING OUT OF A SPOT, AS I USUALLY DO, THE CAR TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE (ABOUT 3-4 SEC). DROVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT A HALF-MILE, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WENT TO ACCELERATE, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T COME OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND REVVED SUPER HIGH. PULLED OVER, THEN DROVE TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT A HALF-MILE BACK AT ABOUT 8-10 MPH WITH MY CAUTION LIGHTS ON. HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND SAID IT SEEMED FINE (I.E. THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SLIP), BUT WHAT I EXPLAINED TO HIM SOUNDED LIKE THE ONSET OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE). HE SUGGESTED SOMETHING COULD HAVE GOTTEN LODGED IN THERE AND BLOCKED FLUID FLOW, AND WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND HE STARTED IT, THAT IT COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT BEFORE HIS TEST DRIVE. EVER SINCE "THE INCIDENT" THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY SLOW UP-SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND MAKES A NOISE WHEN DOING SO, AND ALSO IS VERY SLOW SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 162,000 MILES ON IT. AS OF NOW, NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED ON IT, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS THIS OFTEN CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THESE VEHICLES AROUND THIS MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11288699

243,260 miles · Jun 26, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility/wiper

TAKATA RECALL CAR MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND REVERSING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPRAYER STOP WORKING. RADIO WON'T TURN ON

NHTSA ODI #11222836

167,000 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

TAKATA RECALL - MY DRIVE IS FLASHING WHICH IS TO DO WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND I'M HAVING WIRING PROBLEMS ALSO. ALSO I HAVE NO BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS THEY JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND IT'S A WIRING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11131743

188,000 miles · Apr 18, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND OPERATED ABNORMALLY. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FILTER FRACTURED AND DETACHED AND THE DEBRIS CLOGGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND OPERATED ABNORMALLY. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FILTER FRACTURED AND DETACHED AND THE DEBRIS CLOGGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO CHANGE THAT SPECIFIC PART OUT, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT LISTED AS A RECOMMENDED PART TO REPLACE IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 188,000.

NHTSA ODI #10979054

120,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874687

120,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874650

140,000 miles · Dec 31, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILTER SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10817236

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.