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2006 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Acura Tl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 47 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2022
EngineService BrakesSuspension

I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracke…

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I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car and left Acura there since. Since the purchased I had nothing, but engine problems told Joe never responded I did my own research come to find out Joe's business licensed was suspended and that where he got my car Acura to pass smog of course was a smog business already being investigated for passing car illegally. So I took my Acura to Acura dealer here In Fresno Ca I was told all motor mounts were cracked so they replaced all motor mounts and installed used motor charging me $7,000 at that time I was in the process of suing Joe's Garage however since I have had no car emotionally distress because I paid $2700 for Acura trusting this business man come to find out its Salvaged vehicle now you can understand how frustrated I am not including the losses in my life back to back not been able to just mourn rest etc because of cruel business companies intentions. I'm not asking for much all I want is for you to give Acura Dealer here in Fresno ca the ok to make sure my car is or passed the safety and drivable test making sure everything on car is safe to drive at no cost to me. I have grandkids who are my world and I need to have a good reliable car for them Nathan here at Acura Dealer called me yesterday asking me if I had money, I said no I will file my taxes and see but I honestly feel and would appreciate your help on closing the two companies for good and release my car to me at no cost.

NHTSA ODI #11461588

200,000 miles · Feb 16, 2021
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITH THE ABS AND THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, AFTER EACH REPAIR THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITH THE ABS AND THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, AFTER EACH REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11396477

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2020
EngineService BrakesSteering

POWER STEERING HOSE OIL LEAKING, ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BIND, DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY EXPLODE, 2001-11 MULTI-MODEL AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALLS , PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. TRANSMISSION OIL IS LEAKING ALL THE OIL IN 4 DAYS

NHTSA ODI #11374495

134,000 miles · Jul 14, 2019
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

MY TRANSMISSION RAN OUT IN FREEWAY AND IT ALMOST KILLED ME I NEED A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11231767

81,868 miles · Nov 26, 2014
Service Brakes

VSA MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT ON 2006 ACURA TL IS LEAKING AIR INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM MAKING THE PEDAL SOFT WHICH CAN LEAD TO POOR BRAKING AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO. ACURA HAS KNOWN THIS ISSUE FOR LONG TIME AND HAS EVEN PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (07-041) BUT HAS NOT RECALLE…

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VSA MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT ON 2006 ACURA TL IS LEAKING AIR INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM MAKING THE PEDAL SOFT WHICH CAN LEAD TO POOR BRAKING AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO. ACURA HAS KNOWN THIS ISSUE FOR LONG TIME AND HAS EVEN PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (07-041) BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE VEHICLE TO REPLACE THIS PART. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH A LOT OF HONDA AND ACURA VEHICLES BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO ENFORCEMENT. NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND FORCE HONDA/ACURA TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661069

41,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Service Brakes

ABS KICKED IN WHEN BRAKING ON AN ICY DOWNHILL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ABS HAS EVER ENGAGED ON THIS CAR. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY SOFT AND TRAVEL MUCH FARTHER TOWARDS TO THE FLOOR BEFORE BRAKES ENGAGE. PUMPING THEM DOES NOT RETURN BRAKES TO NORMAL OPERATION. RESEARCH UNCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVI…

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ABS KICKED IN WHEN BRAKING ON AN ICY DOWNHILL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ABS HAS EVER ENGAGED ON THIS CAR. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY SOFT AND TRAVEL MUCH FARTHER TOWARDS TO THE FLOOR BEFORE BRAKES ENGAGE. PUMPING THEM DOES NOT RETURN BRAKES TO NORMAL OPERATION. RESEARCH UNCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) WITH HONDA/ACURA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 07041. IT APPEARS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL GIVEN THE DANGER THIS POSES (LOSS OF BRAKING POWER). RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE $900+ VSA MODULATOR. RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566394

50 miles · Nov 19, 2013
Service Brakes

EARLY ON I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES IN MY 2006 ACURA TL HAD A RELATIVELY SOFT FEEL IN OPERATION. INDEED, FROM THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP OF THE BRAND NEW CAR I'D BEEN SURPRISED AT THE DIFFERENCE FROM MY PREVIOUS CAR -- A 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA -- WHICH HAD SOLID FEELING BRAKES. I ATTRIBUTED THIS SOFTNESS TO THE NEW CAR'S GREATER WEIG…

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EARLY ON I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES IN MY 2006 ACURA TL HAD A RELATIVELY SOFT FEEL IN OPERATION. INDEED, FROM THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP OF THE BRAND NEW CAR I'D BEEN SURPRISED AT THE DIFFERENCE FROM MY PREVIOUS CAR -- A 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA -- WHICH HAD SOLID FEELING BRAKES. I ATTRIBUTED THIS SOFTNESS TO THE NEW CAR'S GREATER WEIGHT -- THE BRAKES DID AFTER ALL, STOP THE CAR. BUT THEY NEVER FELT TRULY SECURE. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, THE SOFTNESS PROGRESSED SLOWLY AT FIRST, AND THEN WORSENING WITH AN INCREASING RATE OF DECLINE. AT THE START OF JULY 2013, I WAS ALARMED TO FIND THAT I NEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES FOR THEM TO ENGAGE AND STOP THE CAR. ON 7/3/2013 THE MECHANIC I SAW FOUND THAT AIR WAS IN THE LINES, AND THAT THIS APPARENTLY HAD LET THE RIGHT REAR PADS STAY IN CONTACT WITH THE DISC REQUIRING SERVICING OF THAT PORTION OF THE SYSTEM. HE ALERTED ME THAT A DEFECTIVE BRAKE MODULATOR PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO AFFECT MANY TLS OF THAT TIME PERIOD. AS IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PART AND NOT YET RECALLED, WE OPTED TO BLEED THE LINES AND FIX THE OTHER DAMAGE HOPING IT WOULD TURN OUT THAT THE LINE HAD SIMPLY LEAKED SOMEHOW. THE DRIVE AWAY WAS THE FIRST & ONLY TIME I'VE EVER FELT SOLID BRAKES ON THIS CAR. BUT BEFORE I'D REACHED MY HOME 10 MILES AWAY, THEY'D BECOME SPONGY. BY THE NEXT DAY I NEEDED TO PUMP THEM. CLEARLY, THE MODULATOR IS INTRODUCING AIR TO THE LINES. I ESSENTIALLY SET THE CAR ASIDE WHILE DECIDING WHETHER I SHOULD REPLACE IT OR FIX IT. I'M ABOUT TO REPLACE THE MODULATOR AT MY EXPENSE AS I'VE DECIDED I'M NOT PREPARED TO BUY A NEW CAR AFTER ALL, BUT THE BRAKES MUST BE MADE SAFE. ACURA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN, BUT THEY'VE NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING NEW CARS WITH A DEFECTIVE PART THAT COMPLETELY FAILS, EVENTUALLY. THE PROBLEM THEY'VE IMPOSED ON THE PUBLIC IS SERIOUS. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR THERE TO BE A DEATH BEFORE REQUIRING A RECALL OF THE PART BY ACURA. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552978

122,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ~60+ MPH IN TRAFFIC AND TAPPED THE BRAKES. THE CAR LURCHED AND ALMOST CAME TO A DEAD STOP (I LATER LEARNED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR). THIS HAPPENED 2-3 OTHER TIMES AS I TRIED TO MOVE OVER AND GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW W/O BEING ABLE TO FULLY DEPLOY THE BRAKES. …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ~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

NHTSA ODI #10487633

63,000 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Service BrakesWheels

I OWN A ACURA TL 2006 CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL'S BRAKE CALIPER HAS FAILED AND IT DOES NOT RETRACT THE BREAK PISTON THEREFORE THE BRAKES ALWAYS BEING APPLIED. THIS IS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO BE SUPER HEATED AND SEVERE BURNING SMELL COMING OUT OF THE CAR'S REAR AREA. HAVING TALKED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY…

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I OWN A ACURA TL 2006 CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL'S BRAKE CALIPER HAS FAILED AND IT DOES NOT RETRACT THE BREAK PISTON THEREFORE THE BRAKES ALWAYS BEING APPLIED. THIS IS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO BE SUPER HEATED AND SEVERE BURNING SMELL COMING OUT OF THE CAR'S REAR AREA. HAVING TALKED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY $350. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468775

Official recalls

4

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).

06V270000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 26, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

05V510000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 3, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ON THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM WHERE THE TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS IS MOUNTED, NEAR THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN OR FALL OUT, THE SENSOR MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY DETECT A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DELAYED OR NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAG INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REMOVE THE BUMPER AND RETORQUE THE LOOSE BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 AND 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.