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2008 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 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

91 reports with mileage · 33 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 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2026
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lost automotive power and shifted into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and drove as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message “System to…

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The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lost automotive power and shifted into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and drove as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message “System too Lean” was displayed on the instrument panel associated with Bank 1 and Bank 2. While starting the vehicle and while the vehicle idling, the RPM was raised above 1,000 RPM, and the message "Idle Position Needs to be Relearned " was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated properly. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle pedal position sensor had an incorrect voltage. The contact was unsure of the repairs performed and the DTC were cleared. After the codes were cleared, the failures continued intermittently. The contact became aware of TSBs that permitted a repair under warranty to clear the system; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11724562

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly …

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While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearly resulting in a multiple car crash. Reproduced several times until mechanic was able to diagnose and correct an issue unknown to me. There was no warning light indicator at all, no messages on car navigation/information panel.

NHTSA ODI #11484998

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
EngineService BrakesSteering

I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing …

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I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I had to throw it in neutral, turning the key back and forth from the off position to the start position to get it to unlock right before I crashed into on coming traffick! There has been nothing wrong with the car other than routine maintenance an absolutely no signs anything is wrong with the car. It has 168436 miles on it and has been religiously maintained. There is a SERIOUS problem with this vehicle for something like this to happen. I've owned hundreds of cars and never experienced anything like this happening, ever!

NHTSA ODI #11448063

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Random slipping/stalling causes not to go in gear.. torque converter could. coolant expansion tank needs replacement hoses and cap causes car not to heat up and operate at regulating temperature. Power steering pump replacement

NHTSA ODI #11433039

119,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FROM THE DAY AFTER THAT WE TOOK THE CAR FROM THE LOT THE CAR HAD A LIGHT TURN ON TO TIGHTEN FUEL CAP. WE HAVE REPLACED THAT AND THE SOLENOID AND FAILED. THE COOLANT SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND IT STILL OVERHEATS. NOW THE CAR IS SUFFERING OF NO START CONDITION. DONT UNDERSTAND WHY SO MUCH TROUBLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND WE ONLY…

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FROM THE DAY AFTER THAT WE TOOK THE CAR FROM THE LOT THE CAR HAD A LIGHT TURN ON TO TIGHTEN FUEL CAP. WE HAVE REPLACED THAT AND THE SOLENOID AND FAILED. THE COOLANT SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND IT STILL OVERHEATS. NOW THE CAR IS SUFFERING OF NO START CONDITION. DONT UNDERSTAND WHY SO MUCH TROUBLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND WE ONLY TOOK IT FROM THE LOT 7 MONTHS AGO. 119,000 MILES. ONLY 91 OCTANE.

NHTSA ODI #11124394

70,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017
EngineSteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A STRANGE ODOR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A STRANGE ODOR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO MCGRATH ACURA OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO WHO OFFERED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11003571

124,000 miles · May 9, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSA WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THREE TIMES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSA WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THREE TIMES TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10863897

100,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735452

86,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
EngineSteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED UPON START UP HE NOTICE SMOKE AND HEARD A HISSING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE DETERIORATED PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED UPON START UP HE NOTICE SMOKE AND HEARD A HISSING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE DETERIORATED PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING) OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD INDEED EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576224

120,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 5/13/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10573930

Official recalls

2

12V222000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

May 17, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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).

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.