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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

Structure complaints

156 reports
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175,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY LEATHER DASHBOARD ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR HAS ABOUT 3 CRACK LINES. THE CRACKS ALSO RUN ON TOP OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG POPS OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CONDITION ON ANY CAR, AND WOULD EXPECT NOT TO SEE IT ON SUCH A HIGH END VEHI…

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MY LEATHER DASHBOARD ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR HAS ABOUT 3 CRACK LINES. THE CRACKS ALSO RUN ON TOP OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG POPS OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CONDITION ON ANY CAR, AND WOULD EXPECT NOT TO SEE IT ON SUCH A HIGH END VEHICLE LIKE MY ACURA TL. THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING AT ALL. THIS SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL ITEM, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROMPTLY. IT IS A SHAME THAT THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THIS IS NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR. IF THERE IS A AIRBAG UNDERNEATH IT, THE ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. LOOKING AT OLDER COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE , ACURA WHERE HELPING BUT MY CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD AND THEY DON'T HELP, THIS JUST HAPPENED WHICH I THINK THEY SHOULD STILL SUPPORT, THE AIRBAGS MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY .. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUES, ACURA CHARGE $1800 TO REPLACE BUT AT OUR COST THE DEALERSHIP WANT ME TO PAY $700 AND THEY WILL TAKE THE REST AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627262

91,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Air BagsStructure

THE RIGHT SIDE DASH HAS CRACKED ALL AROUND THE AIR BAG AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625934

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2014
Air BagsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityStructure

MY LEATHER DASHBOARD ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR IS ABOUT 50% COVERED WITH CRACKS. THE CRACKS ALSO RUN ON TOP OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG POPS OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CONDITION ON ANY CAR, AND WOULD EXPECT NOT TO SEE IT ON SUCH A HIGH…

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MY LEATHER DASHBOARD ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR IS ABOUT 50% COVERED WITH CRACKS. THE CRACKS ALSO RUN ON TOP OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG POPS OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CONDITION ON ANY CAR, AND WOULD EXPECT NOT TO SEE IT ON SUCH A HIGH END VEHICLE LIKE MY ACURA TL. THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING AT ALL. THIS SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL ITEM, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROMPTLY. IT IS A SHAME THAT THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THIS IS NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR. IF THERE IS A AIRBAG UNDERNEATH IT, THE ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611170

116,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Air BagsStructure

I HAVE 2005 ACURA TL I'VE OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. WENT OUT TODAY AND FOUND A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD. APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG, ALONG THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIRBAG. NOW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 64000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW HAS 116,000. I'VE KEPT THE SERVICE UP ON IT AND SHE…

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I HAVE 2005 ACURA TL I'VE OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. WENT OUT TODAY AND FOUND A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD. APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG, ALONG THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIRBAG. NOW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 64000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW HAS 116,000. I'VE KEPT THE SERVICE UP ON IT AND SHE'S BEEN BABIED SINCE I BOUGHT HER. NO ARMOR ALL ON IT AT ALL. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED. I JUST REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, THE RACK AND PINION, REAR BREAKS/ROTORS, AND NOW THIS. I REALLY THOUGHT THIS CAR WOULD LAST ME. NOW, I'VE SUFFERED TRADE IN VALUE DAMAGE BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HOW CAN ACURA NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597278

72,000 miles · May 27, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY 2005 ACURA HAS DEVELOPED 2 VERY SEVERE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD SURROUNDING THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594368

98,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Air BagsStructure

ALMOST OVERNIGHT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED RUNNING FROM WINDSHIELD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN DIRECTION. THERE ARE SIX CRACKS THE LONGEST BEING ABOUT A FOOT IN LENGTH. IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY ALL OF THE CRACKS SEEM TO SEAL BACK UP BUT IMMEDIATELY REAPPEAR WHEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COOLS DOWN. TO BE SPECIFIC THE LON…

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ALMOST OVERNIGHT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED RUNNING FROM WINDSHIELD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN DIRECTION. THERE ARE SIX CRACKS THE LONGEST BEING ABOUT A FOOT IN LENGTH. IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY ALL OF THE CRACKS SEEM TO SEAL BACK UP BUT IMMEDIATELY REAPPEAR WHEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COOLS DOWN. TO BE SPECIFIC THE LONGEST CRACK RUNS WINDSHIELD TO COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH. TWO SMALLER CRACKS RUN FROM WINDSHIELD TO CENTER SPEAKER AND SPEAKER TO COMPARTMENT. TWO MORE RUN FROM WINDSHIELD TO INSTRUMENT PANEL. AGAIN ALL SEAL IN EXTREME DAYTIME HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593881

132,723 miles · May 5, 2014
Structure

MY VEHICLE WHEN IT'S AT MY PERSONAL ADDRESS IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND WHEN IT'S AT MY WORK I HAVE A WINDSHIELD SHADE IN THE VEHICLE. NOW ON MAY 3, 2014 WHICH IN MY GARAGE THERE WAS A CRACK ON MY DASH BOARD. I READ ON LINE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ACURA MODEL TL'S FROM 2004- 2007. THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT HON…

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MY VEHICLE WHEN IT'S AT MY PERSONAL ADDRESS IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND WHEN IT'S AT MY WORK I HAVE A WINDSHIELD SHADE IN THE VEHICLE. NOW ON MAY 3, 2014 WHICH IN MY GARAGE THERE WAS A CRACK ON MY DASH BOARD. I READ ON LINE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ACURA MODEL TL'S FROM 2004- 2007. THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT HONDA WOULD AGREE TO PAY FOR SOME TL OWNERS AND NOT OTHERS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT THAT HONDA NEEDS TO HONOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586687

195,326 miles · Apr 27, 2014
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR AIR BAG ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585147

120,000 miles · Apr 26, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKS FORMING AROUND AIRBAG LOCATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585050

75,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY ACURA TL 2005 CRACKED & THEY DID REPLACE MY DASHBOARD WITH "GOOD WILL". MY PAINT STARTED FADING ALL OVER MY CAR & THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PAINT. THE PAINT STARTED FADING AT 95,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA'S HEADQUARTERS, SENT LETTERS & PICTURES & THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY ACURA TL 2005 CRACKED & THEY DID REPLACE MY DASHBOARD WITH "GOOD WILL". MY PAINT STARTED FADING ALL OVER MY CAR & THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PAINT. THE PAINT STARTED FADING AT 95,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA'S HEADQUARTERS, SENT LETTERS & PICTURES & THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! THE ONLY REASON THEY REPLACED MY DASHBOARD THEY SAID WAS TO TRY TO GET MY BUSINESS! THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE OWNED 3 ACURAS I WAS NOT A LOYAL CUSTOMER SO THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY PAINT! I HAD MY CAR PAINTED AT A LOCAL BUSINESS IN TOWN! I WILL FILE ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2004 ACURA TL. THAT DASHBOARD HAS SO MANY CRACKS THAT I STOPPED COUNTING. I SENT PICTURES TO HEADQUARTERS BUT THEY SAID IT WAS TOO OLD!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575505

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.