IllustrationI NOTICED A COUPLE OF CRACKS ON MY DASH. SINCE I NOTICED THEM THERE HAD BECOME ADDITIONAL CRACKS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND THE CRACKS OCCUR IN THE SAME SPOTS. THE BIGGEST CONCERN IF THE CRACK OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
2004 Acura Tl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tl years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Acura Tl are substantially higher than the model-year median of 124.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
400–25K
3425–50K
7750–75K
9375–100K
113100–150K
46150K+
403 reports with mileage · 148 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 232 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 199 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports6 fire reports9 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
199 reportsTHERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO YOU OVER A YEAR AGO AND NOTHING WAS EVER RESOLVED! OUR DASH IS CRACKING ONLY WHERE BOTH AIR BAGS ARE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DASH! THIS WAS NOT CASED BY ANYTHING BUT THE MANUFACTURE. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS. WE HAVE A 03 AND 04 ACUR…
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THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO YOU OVER A YEAR AGO AND NOTHING WAS EVER RESOLVED! OUR DASH IS CRACKING ONLY WHERE BOTH AIR BAGS ARE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DASH! THIS WAS NOT CASED BY ANYTHING BUT THE MANUFACTURE. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS. WE HAVE A 03 AND 04 ACURA TL. THE 03 HAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS AND IT DOESN'T EVEN SHOW ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE. THE 04 NEEDS A RECALL BEFORE OUR AIRBAGS COME OUT ON US DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN WE WILL SUE ACURA! I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM! *TR
CRACKING DASHBOARD. *TR
THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. IF THE AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD SHOOT SHARP EDGED PIECES OF PLASTIC AT THE PASSENGERS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS HAPPENING TO EVERY 2004-2008 ACURA TL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. SOME ACURA DEALERS ARE COVERING SOME OF TH…
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THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. IF THE AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD SHOOT SHARP EDGED PIECES OF PLASTIC AT THE PASSENGERS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS HAPPENING TO EVERY 2004-2008 ACURA TL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. SOME ACURA DEALERS ARE COVERING SOME OF THE COST BUT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR CONSUMERS SAFETY. MY WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN THE CAR AND WILL NOT ALLOW OUR CHILDREN AS WELL. SO I HAVE A $50,000 LUXURY SEDAN THAT IS USELESS. PLEASE HELP US ACURA OWNERS. THANK YOU *TR
MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK AROUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED. THIS CRACK JUST APPEARED AND THE CHECK AIRBAG INDICATOR IS ON. I'VE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE. PLEASE CHECK …
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MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK AROUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED. THIS CRACK JUST APPEARED AND THE CHECK AIRBAG INDICATOR IS ON. I'VE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A CAUSE FOR A RECALL ON THIS CAR. THANKS. *TR
SMALL CRACK STARTED AT CENTER OF DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDOW. IN 1 DAY IT HAS WRAPPED ALMOST COMPLETELY AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD AND IS NEARLY 2 FEET LONG NOW. MY 1989 HONDA ACCORD HAD A BETTER LOOKING DASH AFTER 23 YEARS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS FIXED ASAP BY ACURA. *TR
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2004 ACURA TL IS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG THE AIRBAG. STARTED OUT JUST A CRACK ABOUT 1/4" AND TWO DAYS LATER THE CRACK IS OVER 8 INCHES. ALSO THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CRACKED FIRST FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD AND IS NOW A COMPLETE SQUARE FROM …
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THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2004 ACURA TL IS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG THE AIRBAG. STARTED OUT JUST A CRACK ABOUT 1/4" AND TWO DAYS LATER THE CRACK IS OVER 8 INCHES. ALSO THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CRACKED FIRST FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD AND IS NOW A COMPLETE SQUARE FROM STEERING COLUMN TO WINDSHIELD AND BACK TO STEERING COLUMN. IF THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS! WE OWN TWO OTHER HONDAS, 2001 AND 2000 CIVICS,AND NEITHER OF THOSE CARS HAVE CRACKS AND ARE IN BETTER SHAPE THAN THE ACURA TL. *TR
WIFE MADE ME AWARE THAT A CRACK APPREARED ON THE DASH ATTER TAKING DOWN THE SUN SHADE TO COME HOME AFTER WORK. IT WAS ABOUT A FOUR INCH CRACK ON TOP OF THE LEFT EDGE OF WHERE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS. I WAS SOMEWHAT CONCERNED BECAUSE F THE LOCATION. I RODE ON THE CAR AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND NOT ONLY HAS THE ORIGINAL CRACK DOUBLED …
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WIFE MADE ME AWARE THAT A CRACK APPREARED ON THE DASH ATTER TAKING DOWN THE SUN SHADE TO COME HOME AFTER WORK. IT WAS ABOUT A FOUR INCH CRACK ON TOP OF THE LEFT EDGE OF WHERE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS. I WAS SOMEWHAT CONCERNED BECAUSE F THE LOCATION. I RODE ON THE CAR AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND NOT ONLY HAS THE ORIGINAL CRACK DOUBLED IN SIZE THERE IS ANOTHER ONE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. BOTH CRACKS ARE ON THE EDGE OF THE AIR BAG "BOX" NOW I AM VERY CONCERNED AND I GET ONLY LINE TO SEE HOW TO EITHER REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS DASH. AFTER SEARCHING I SEE THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS ACURA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIAL USED TO COVER THE DASH. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND REPLACE THESE DASH BOARDS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A LOUD POP THAT SOUNDED LIKE A VERY LARGE ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WHILE INSPECTING THE WINDSHIELD WE NOTICED THAT THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE DASHBOARD SPLITTING. THE AREA COVERING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS SPLIT AND THE ENTIRE DASH, WITHING JUST A FEW DAYS, HAS SPLIT FROM THE INITIAL 4 INCH SPLIT TO …
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WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A LOUD POP THAT SOUNDED LIKE A VERY LARGE ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WHILE INSPECTING THE WINDSHIELD WE NOTICED THAT THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE DASHBOARD SPLITTING. THE AREA COVERING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS SPLIT AND THE ENTIRE DASH, WITHING JUST A FEW DAYS, HAS SPLIT FROM THE INITIAL 4 INCH SPLIT TO ABOUT 8 INCHES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD AFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AS THE DECREASED RESISTANCE COULD MEAN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SPEED IS GREATER. (WORTH NOTING: WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT ITS ENTIRE LIFE. ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE SUN I ALWAYS USE A SUNSHIELD.) *TR
CRACKING IN THE DASHBOARD ON TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. ALSO AIRBAG MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE CRACK APPEARED. AFRAID THAT IT IS CAUSING A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Official recalls
419V182000 · 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.
04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 15, 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 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
1PE07060 · 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.