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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

64 reports
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160,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or OtherFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THERE WAS NO FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THERE WAS NO FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). TIM SHORT ACURA (131 MACCORKLE AVE SW, CHARLESTON, WV 25303) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE KEY IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11030355

130,000 miles · Jul 30, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD IS DEVELOPING LARGE CRACKS ALL AROUND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD LEADING TO MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AS TO WHETHER THE DEFECT HAS COMPROMISED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11011518

160,000 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

PASSENGER DASH CRACKED AROUND EDGE OF AIRBAG. CONCERNED THAT ACURA IS NOT HANDLING AS A RECALL. THEY HAVE REPLACED SOME DASHES, BUT OTHERS THEY SAY THE DASH IS A THINNER MATERIAL THEREFORE IT MAY CRACK. I BELIEVE THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT IS COMPROMISING SAFETY AS IT RELATES TO MY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11004937

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

HANDS FREE LINK PROBLEM PEARSEDICITIC DRAWL BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED AFTER 3 DAYS OF NOT STARTING ALSO NO DISPLAY HVAC DEFROSTER ON HI SPEED UNABLE TO CONTROL. THERE IS NO RADIO FUNCTION/DISPLAY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10947296

125,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

MY 2005 ACURA TL STARTED GETTING A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, EXACTLY ON THE OUTLINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. IT SPREAD TO THE COMPLETE LENGTH OF THE LEFT OUTLINE/SEAM OF THE AIRBAG WITHIN 2 DAYS. TWO WEEKS LATER A CRACKE APPEARED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRBAG(ALONG THE SEAM). NOW THERE IS ANOTHER HUGE CRA…

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MY 2005 ACURA TL STARTED GETTING A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, EXACTLY ON THE OUTLINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. IT SPREAD TO THE COMPLETE LENGTH OF THE LEFT OUTLINE/SEAM OF THE AIRBAG WITHIN 2 DAYS. TWO WEEKS LATER A CRACKE APPEARED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRBAG(ALONG THE SEAM). NOW THERE IS ANOTHER HUGE CRACK GOING ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT IS PRACTICALLY ABOUT TO BURST OPEN. I AM SO AFRAID THE AIRBAG IS GOING TO DEPLOY FOR NO REASON. I BELIEVE IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT THAT IS A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INJURE OR KILL THE PASSENGER. I REALLY NEED ACURA TO FIX THIS DEFECT. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MAKE MODEL & YEAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL!

NHTSA ODI #10930337

190,680 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

2005 ACURA TL WELL MAINTAINED, ALWAYS GARAGED. NOV 10, 2016 STARTED NOTICING CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. 2 BIG ONES ON PASSENGER SIDE OVER WHERE AIR BAG SUPPOSED TO BE. COUNTED AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT CRACKS OVER THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, IN VARIOUS SPOTS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR A PREMIUM CAR MAKER SUCH AS ACURA BUT NO RECALL OR ASSISTANC…

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2005 ACURA TL WELL MAINTAINED, ALWAYS GARAGED. NOV 10, 2016 STARTED NOTICING CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. 2 BIG ONES ON PASSENGER SIDE OVER WHERE AIR BAG SUPPOSED TO BE. COUNTED AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT CRACKS OVER THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, IN VARIOUS SPOTS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR A PREMIUM CAR MAKER SUCH AS ACURA BUT NO RECALL OR ASSISTANCE $$ TO FIX ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10926099

120,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO OFFICIAL RECALL. DASH BOARD CRACKS DIRECTLY ABOVE AIRBAG. STARTED WITH ON LARGE CRACK AND NOW THERE ARE TWO ABOVE AIRBAG. I HAVE 3 COWORKERS ALL WITH ACURA TL'S FROM 04-06 YEARS ALL WITH THE SAME CRACKS. DEALER IS MAKING DRIVERS RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE ARE NU…

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KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO OFFICIAL RECALL. DASH BOARD CRACKS DIRECTLY ABOVE AIRBAG. STARTED WITH ON LARGE CRACK AND NOW THERE ARE TWO ABOVE AIRBAG. I HAVE 3 COWORKERS ALL WITH ACURA TL'S FROM 04-06 YEARS ALL WITH THE SAME CRACKS. DEALER IS MAKING DRIVERS RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS AND FACEBOOK PAGE JUST REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10917855

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2016
SeatsUnknown Or Other

BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE DASHBOARD ARE EXTREMELY FULL OF CRACKS FOR A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND ALWAYS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA ODI #10910915

80,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACK AND AIR BAG SIGNAL SHOW.

NHTSA ODI #10910116

139,620 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY ACURA TL 2005 SUDDENLY BECAME HAZY AND STARTED LEAKING A BLACK / DARK GREEN FLUID WHICH PRODUCED A CHEMICAL TASTE IN MY MOUTH AN A SLIGHT SORE THROAT. I'M CONCERNED THE DRIPPING LIQUID IS TOXIC AND HARMFUL TO PASSENGERS IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THIS DOES NOT FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF A WEAR…

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THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY ACURA TL 2005 SUDDENLY BECAME HAZY AND STARTED LEAKING A BLACK / DARK GREEN FLUID WHICH PRODUCED A CHEMICAL TASTE IN MY MOUTH AN A SLIGHT SORE THROAT. I'M CONCERNED THE DRIPPING LIQUID IS TOXIC AND HARMFUL TO PASSENGERS IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THIS DOES NOT FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF A WEAR OUT ITEM AND IT SHOULD NOT HARM INDIVIDUALS IN THE PROCESS. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I NOTICED THE INITIAL LIQUID AT THE BOTTOM OF MY MIRROR.

NHTSA ODI #10907356

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.