IllustrationTHE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AIR BAG AND IS GETTING WORSE. I BELIEVE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T FAIL YET BUT CONCERNED WITH THE CRACK. I BELIEVE ACURA SHOULD PAY TO REPLACE. *KB
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 reportsMY 2004 ACURA TL HAD DEVELOPED A MAJOR CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD ALONG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ACURA TL'S, AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL OR SAFETY CONCERN BY ACURA/HONDA. THE COST OF REPAIR IS HUGE AND I DON'T THINK CUSTOMER SHOULD PAY FOR THE MATERIAL DEFECT BY TH…
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MY 2004 ACURA TL HAD DEVELOPED A MAJOR CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD ALONG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ACURA TL'S, AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL OR SAFETY CONCERN BY ACURA/HONDA. THE COST OF REPAIR IS HUGE AND I DON'T THINK CUSTOMER SHOULD PAY FOR THE MATERIAL DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CRACK IS RIGHT ALONG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. *KB
I RECENTLY NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON MY DASH THAT WITHIN TWO DAYS TIME SPREAD TO BE APPROXIMATELY THE WIDTH OF MY DASH. THE SCARY THING IS THE FIRST CRACK APPEARS TO BE THE OUTLINE OF MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. I'M SCARED IF IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, THE AIRBAG MY DEPLOY UNEXPECTED IF I HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES FOR ANY REASON. N…
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I RECENTLY NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON MY DASH THAT WITHIN TWO DAYS TIME SPREAD TO BE APPROXIMATELY THE WIDTH OF MY DASH. THE SCARY THING IS THE FIRST CRACK APPEARS TO BE THE OUTLINE OF MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. I'M SCARED IF IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, THE AIRBAG MY DEPLOY UNEXPECTED IF I HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES FOR ANY REASON. NOW I HAVE CRACKS ALL OF THE FRONT OF MY DRIVER SIDE DASH AS WELL. THEY APPEAR TO CONTINUALLY GET WORSE. I USE A SUN SHADE AND HAVE BEEN APPLYING A LOT OF INTERIOR CAR CARE CONDITIONER BUT NONE OF IT HAS DELAYED THE CRACKS AT ALL. I AM REALLY SCARED THIS MAY CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH MY AIR BAG. *KB
DASH PAD CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. *TT
MAJOR CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH BOARD ALONG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND AIR BAG SAFETY LIGHT IS COMING ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY ON DASH BOARD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM ON ACURA TL'S, AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL OR SAFETY CONCERN BY ACURA/HONDA. THE…
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MAJOR CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH BOARD ALONG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND AIR BAG SAFETY LIGHT IS COMING ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY ON DASH BOARD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM ON ACURA TL'S, AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL OR SAFETY CONCERN BY ACURA/HONDA. THE COST OF REPAIR IS HUGE, AND FOR A CAR COSTING AS MUCH AS THIS ONE COST, IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH PRE-MATURE FAILURE. *TR
MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THESE APPEARED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND OVERNIGHT BECAME ABOUT 14 INCHES ACROSS IN THE SIDE AREA OF THE DASH. I AM CONCERNED AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY OR MAY FURTHER CAUSE HARM IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE …
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MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THESE APPEARED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND OVERNIGHT BECAME ABOUT 14 INCHES ACROSS IN THE SIDE AREA OF THE DASH. I AM CONCERNED AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY OR MAY FURTHER CAUSE HARM IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF DEBRIS FROM THE CRACKED AREAS. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHTS GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHICH DO NOT LET KNOW IF IT WILL WORK PROPERTY. I HAVE READ IN DIFFERENT FORUMS THAT THIS IS A GENERALIZED PROBLEM WITH 2004-2005 TL AND ACURA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED TO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A RECALL. *TR
I HAVE NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN MY PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT DASH BOARD. THERE IS AN OUTLINE OF A RECTANGLE OVER THE AIRBAG AND THERE IS ONE CRACK THAT HAS ACTUALLY OPENED THE DASH BOARD. I AM SCARED THIS CRACK IS GOING TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR MAYBE CAUSE IT NOT TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. I AM ALSO SCARED THAT PART…
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I HAVE NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN MY PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT DASH BOARD. THERE IS AN OUTLINE OF A RECTANGLE OVER THE AIRBAG AND THERE IS ONE CRACK THAT HAS ACTUALLY OPENED THE DASH BOARD. I AM SCARED THIS CRACK IS GOING TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR MAYBE CAUSE IT NOT TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. I AM ALSO SCARED THAT PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD WILL FLY OFF IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED, DUE TO THIS CRACK.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS RECENTLY STARTED TO CRACK, STARTING SMALL AND GROWING IN SEVERAL PLACES. CHECKED ACURAZINE WEBSITE TO FIND OVER 44,000 LIKE COMPLAINTS. MOST START ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE TOP OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. *TR
MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. HOW COULD IT BE "COINCIDENTAL"...SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT ACURA IS IGNORING. AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRB…
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MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. HOW COULD IT BE "COINCIDENTAL"...SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT ACURA IS IGNORING. AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAG. *KB
2004 ACURA TL SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE 2 VERTICAL CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 ACURA TL. THE CRACKS WERE NOT GRADUAL THEY BOTH HAPPENED SUDDENLY OVERNIGHT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR COLLISIONS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS DEFECT AND AM REALIZING THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AMO…
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2004 ACURA TL SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE 2 VERTICAL CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 ACURA TL. THE CRACKS WERE NOT GRADUAL THEY BOTH HAPPENED SUDDENLY OVERNIGHT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR COLLISIONS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS DEFECT AND AM REALIZING THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AMONGST 04 ACURA TL OWNERS. FROM PICTURES ON ONLINE FORUMS THE CRACKS APPEAR TO BE IDENTICAL IN ALL CASES. *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.