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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

124 reports
50,000 miles · Jul 1, 2012
Exterior Lighting

OUR 2008 ACURA TL AND ALMOST EVERY ACURA TL I SEE HAS A PROBLEM OR IS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEALS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH A SMALL DISCOLORATION OR FOG ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVER, AND EXPANDS WITH TIME. THE DISCOLORATION OR FOG LESSENS THE INTE…

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OUR 2008 ACURA TL AND ALMOST EVERY ACURA TL I SEE HAS A PROBLEM OR IS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEALS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH A SMALL DISCOLORATION OR FOG ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVER, AND EXPANDS WITH TIME. THE DISCOLORATION OR FOG LESSENS THE INTENSITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS, CUTTING BACK ON VISIBILITY AND ILLUMINATION. THE DEALER SAID THE FOG IN THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS LOCAL TO ARIZONA ONLY. REALLY? I WOULD LIKE NTSB OR RESPONSIBLE AGENCY TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND IF A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. AS I MENTIONED, I SEE THIS PROBLEM ON MOST ACURA TLS THAT I SEE ON THE STREET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463862

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2012
Steering

POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CAR WAS RECALLED; HOWEVER, MY CAR'S VIN IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF THE RECALL NUMBERS. THE RECALLED PART IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455712

58,000 miles · Mar 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

I HAVE A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THIS MODEL, HOWEVER THE VIN OF MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING (VERIFIED BY AN ACURA DEALERSHIP). I CALLED ACURA AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS CAR…

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I HAVE A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THIS MODEL, HOWEVER THE VIN OF MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING (VERIFIED BY AN ACURA DEALERSHIP). I CALLED ACURA AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS CARS THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I KNOW FROM READING REPORTS FROM OTHER TL OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, THE HOSE ON MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE HOSE WITH THE HEAT-SHIELD THAT IS INSTALLED WHEN THE RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED, THUS MY CAR HAS THE DEFECTIVE HOSE AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453220

57,750 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Steering

HELLO, I RECENTLY GOT THE 2008 ACURA TL 3.2 LTR VEHICLE FROM USED CARS DEALER. I OBSERVED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AND IS CAUSING THE BURNT SMELL AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY CAR HAS 57750 MILES AND HAD NO WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO ACURA DEALE…

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HELLO, I RECENTLY GOT THE 2008 ACURA TL 3.2 LTR VEHICLE FROM USED CARS DEALER. I OBSERVED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AND IS CAUSING THE BURNT SMELL AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY CAR HAS 57750 MILES AND HAD NO WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO ACURA DEALER AND HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446838

26,963 miles · Jan 15, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAK PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR ACCERLERATED. THE CAR LURCHED FPRWARD.

NHTSA ODI #10443846

61,000 miles · Dec 7, 2011
Steering

MY ACURA TL IS A TYPE S. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE TL BUT NOT THE TYPE S. MY HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING IN THE SAME PLACE AS ALL THE OTHER TLS (VERIFIED BY NUMEROUS ACURA FORUMS). IT IS LEAKING DIRECTLY ON THE EXHAUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SMO…

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MY ACURA TL IS A TYPE S. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE TL BUT NOT THE TYPE S. MY HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING IN THE SAME PLACE AS ALL THE OTHER TLS (VERIFIED BY NUMEROUS ACURA FORUMS). IT IS LEAKING DIRECTLY ON THE EXHAUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SMOKE CAN BE SMELLED AT ALL SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND AN ASE CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT OUT OF POCKET AFTER THE DEALER DENIED COVERAGE AND REPAIRED IT. THE REPLACEMENT HOSE CAME WITH HEAT SHIELD WRAP AROUND THE EXACT PLACE MINE IS LEAKING. THE RECALLED HOSE WAS DUE TO HEAT DETERIORATION. MY ORIGINAL HOSE HAD NO HEAT WRAP. IF THE TL-S IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, WHY WOULD IT NEED THIS UPGRADE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438954

60,547 miles · Mar 14, 2011
Steering

FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE HARD STEERING ON HER 2008 ACURA TL. THE HARD STEERING HAS ALREADY CAUSED DAILY PAIN AND MUSCLE STRAIN ON MY WIFE'S SHOULDER. OUR COMPLAINTS HAVE GONE TO DEAF EARS. THEY CHECKED AND ALWAYS SAID THAT "THE CAR IS…

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FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE HARD STEERING ON HER 2008 ACURA TL. THE HARD STEERING HAS ALREADY CAUSED DAILY PAIN AND MUSCLE STRAIN ON MY WIFE'S SHOULDER. OUR COMPLAINTS HAVE GONE TO DEAF EARS. THEY CHECKED AND ALWAYS SAID THAT "THE CAR IS FINE, THE CAR IS FINE." I BELIEVE THE CAR IS NOT FINE OR SAFE BECAUSE WE PRESENTLY EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. ISN'T THERE A RECALL WITH REGARDS TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM ON 2008 ACURA TL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390082

65,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTED WITHIN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE TEST DID NOT GENERATE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTED WITHIN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE TEST DID NOT GENERATE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MAIN CONCERN WAS IF THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 01/31/11/ *BF UPDATED 02/04/11*JB UPDATED 03/03/11 *BF UPDATED 03/07/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10370655

53,800 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V091000, STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST, HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE. ACURA REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT A 50% DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V091000, STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST, HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE. ACURA REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT A 50% DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,800.

NHTSA ODI #10358785

18,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Visibility

HEATING SYSTEM ON ACURA TL 2008 IS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. MILEAGE ON CAR IS 21729. PIAZZA ACURA OF READING 1001 LANCASTER AVE. READING PA 19607 TELEPHONE 610-777-0100 LOOK AT ON 04/27/10 AND SAYS THAT MANUFACTURE PUT NEW SYSTEM. AT TEMPERATURE SET 75 STILL FEEL COLD. DEALER ADVISED ME TO SET TEMPERATURE 80 OR 85 TO GET HEAT. THAT…

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HEATING SYSTEM ON ACURA TL 2008 IS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. MILEAGE ON CAR IS 21729. PIAZZA ACURA OF READING 1001 LANCASTER AVE. READING PA 19607 TELEPHONE 610-777-0100 LOOK AT ON 04/27/10 AND SAYS THAT MANUFACTURE PUT NEW SYSTEM. AT TEMPERATURE SET 75 STILL FEEL COLD. DEALER ADVISED ME TO SET TEMPERATURE 80 OR 85 TO GET HEAT. THAT'S NOT RIGHT. THIS NEW SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE NEW CAR PLEASE LOOK INTO. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327909

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.