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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

What owners actually said

388 reports
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

80,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL SPOTS. I HAVE READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN FILED ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF CAR AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10875101

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TAKATA AIRBAGS? DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKED AND HAS BECOME TO INCREASE IN SIZE. FEAR THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AIRBAG "TAKATA" TO EXPLODE. AIRBAG LIGHT ON DRIVERSIDE RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. FEAR THAT AIRBAG LIGHT MAY BE AN INDICATOR OF FRONT AIRBAGS MAY GO WRONG. OVER TIME THE DASHBOARD C…

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TAKATA AIRBAGS? DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKED AND HAS BECOME TO INCREASE IN SIZE. FEAR THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AIRBAG "TAKATA" TO EXPLODE. AIRBAG LIGHT ON DRIVERSIDE RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. FEAR THAT AIRBAG LIGHT MAY BE AN INDICATOR OF FRONT AIRBAGS MAY GO WRONG. OVER TIME THE DASHBOARD CRACKS HAVE INCREASED IN SIZE.

NHTSA ODI #10871989

96,000 miles · May 18, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL? AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE IN MOTION. THERE ARE CRACKS IN PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE AIRBAG. THE CRACKS STARTED APPEARING OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT THEY ARE EXPANDING.

NHTSA ODI #10865603

135,000 miles · May 13, 2016
Air Bags

THERE IS A LONG SPLIT RIGHT ALONG THE SIDE OF WHERE THE AIRBAG SITS ON THE PASSANGER SIDE. THIS CONCERNS ME BEING RIGHT OVER THE AIRBAG. LOOKING ONLINE THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE WITH COUNTLESS CONCERNS OF OTHERS WITH CRACKED DASHBOARDS IN THE SAME LOCATION. THIS CRACKING CONCERNS ME THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT INFLATE WHILE DRIVING OR …

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THERE IS A LONG SPLIT RIGHT ALONG THE SIDE OF WHERE THE AIRBAG SITS ON THE PASSANGER SIDE. THIS CONCERNS ME BEING RIGHT OVER THE AIRBAG. LOOKING ONLINE THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE WITH COUNTLESS CONCERNS OF OTHERS WITH CRACKED DASHBOARDS IN THE SAME LOCATION. THIS CRACKING CONCERNS ME THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT INFLATE WHILE DRIVING OR NOT INFLATE CORRECTLY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FEAR IS IF I FILL THE CRACK THAT THIS ALSO MIGHT IMPACT HOW THE AIRBAG WORKS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A LUXURY CAR AND APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING IN TONS OF CARS FROM 2004 - 2008 THAT I'VE READ ABOUT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THIS, BUT LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE CRACK IT HAS LIKELY BEEN THERE FOR AWHILE AND I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. WHEN THE CAR HEATS UP THE CRACK ISN'T VISIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #10864702

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE. NOTICED LARGE CRACKS ON TOP OF THE DASH , SOME WHERE MY AIRBAGS ARE. WHAT IF THE DEPLOY? THESE CRACKS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND I FEEL THEY ARE HAZARDOUS TO MY AIRBAGS IF THEY DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI #10864180

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2016
Electrical System

PURCHASED NEW, SINCE 2005 THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. OVER 10 BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY ACURA DEALERSHIPS OR AAA. I WAS TOLD BY FORMER CERTIFIED ACURA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLES HANDS FREE SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. ACURA HAS KNOWN, IN…

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PURCHASED NEW, SINCE 2005 THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. OVER 10 BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY ACURA DEALERSHIPS OR AAA. I WAS TOLD BY FORMER CERTIFIED ACURA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLES HANDS FREE SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. ACURA HAS KNOWN, INTERNET RESEARCH, AND MY CONVERSATION ON THIS DATE 5/9/2016 WITH AN ACURA CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMED THAT ACURA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2004. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP MOVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, CONTROL, OR POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ANOTHER SERIOUS FACTOR IS THAT THERE IS NO WARNING SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE BATTERY WILL FAIL. IN THE EVENT THAT THE BATTERY FAILS WITH OUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER IN AN EXTREME COLD, HEAVY RAINFALL, FLOOD CONDITIONS COULD POSSIBLE RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. COMMON SENSE DICTATES THAT MY COMPLAINT AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE TAKEN TIME TO FILE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM SHOULD RESULT IN A NHTSA RECALL. THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD WHO BUY VEHICLES DON'T NEED BAD TAKATA INFLATORS OR BAD IGNITION SWITCHES .WHAT WE NEED IS A NHTSA WHICH WILL RESPONSIBLY ENFORCE ALL AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURES TO PROVIDE QUALITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE BEST SAFETY FEATURES.

NHTSA ODI #10864011

98,000 miles · May 7, 2016
Air Bags

THIS ACURA TL HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. THE DASHBOARD HAS OVER THE LAST YEAR DEVELOPED SEVERAL DEEP CRACKS OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DASH NOW. IT STARTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF DASH. VERY CONCERNED IF AIRBAG WOULD BE EFFECTED OR EVEN DEPLOY PROPERLY. ALSO IF PIECES…

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THIS ACURA TL HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. THE DASHBOARD HAS OVER THE LAST YEAR DEVELOPED SEVERAL DEEP CRACKS OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DASH NOW. IT STARTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF DASH. VERY CONCERNED IF AIRBAG WOULD BE EFFECTED OR EVEN DEPLOY PROPERLY. ALSO IF PIECES OF THIS RIGID DASHBOARD WOULD HURT THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT IF IN A ACCIDENT .

NHTSA ODI #10863751

127,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD A DEEP CRACK OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10863488

152,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Air Bags

FOUR WEEKS AGO, MY DASH ALL OF THE SUDDEN GOT 2 LARGE CRACKS. THIS CAR IS GARAGED, AND WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE AT WORK, AD WINDOW SHADES TO PROTECT THE DASH AND KEEP THE FRONT SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL COOL. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND WHEN I GOT IT IN, THE CRACKS WERE THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10863150

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.