IllustrationMY DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK, VERY LITTLE TO START BUT NOW HAS 6 MAJOR CRACKS RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD WITH THE CRACKS GOING COMPLEXLY AROUND THE AIR BAGS.
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 reportsI HAVE A 2004 ACURA TL AND IN THE LAST MONTHS CRACKS HAVE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, DIRECTLY AROUND THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT OF WORKMANSHIP AND OR MATERIALS. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH CONSISTENCY IN THE POSITIONS OF THE CRACKS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTING THE…
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I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TL AND IN THE LAST MONTHS CRACKS HAVE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, DIRECTLY AROUND THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT OF WORKMANSHIP AND OR MATERIALS. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH CONSISTENCY IN THE POSITIONS OF THE CRACKS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ACURATLDEFECTIVEDASH/POSTS/219662424726766 MY CAR HAS 165K MILES, IS GARAGE KEPT, DETAILED REGULARLY WITH ONE OWNER. *TR
MY 04 TL HAS PRETTY MUCH HAD NOTHING BUT TLC SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2010 WITH 42000MILES NOW IN 2015 I'M AT 87000MILES AND I GET THE CRACKED DASH... I READ ABOUT THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I WAS HOPING I WAS GOING TO BE LUCKY BUT I GUESS NOT. MA 10/5 THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ACURA SCREW UP... UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN
CRACKS HAVE APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD ESPECIALLY AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEARED. DEALER SAYS TO TRADE IN THE CAR AND BUY A NEW ONE! WHY DOESN'T ACURA OWN THIS ISSUE AND FIX THIS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT OWNERS ARE REPORTING? THIS IS POTENTIALLY A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE A…
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CRACKS HAVE APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD ESPECIALLY AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEARED. DEALER SAYS TO TRADE IN THE CAR AND BUY A NEW ONE! WHY DOESN'T ACURA OWN THIS ISSUE AND FIX THIS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT OWNERS ARE REPORTING? THIS IS POTENTIALLY A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY.
CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD BEGAN OVERNIGHT THAT OUTLINED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CAR IS GARAGED AND KEPT IN PARKING GARAGE AT WORK. DISCOLORATION OF THE DASH BEGAN AT 40,000 MILES ONLY INVOLVING THIS SAME PART. I USED MEGUIRES DASHBOARD PROTECTOR AT THE ADVICE OF THE ACURA DEALERSHIP SINCE 40,000 MILES BUT THAT DIDN'T …
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CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD BEGAN OVERNIGHT THAT OUTLINED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CAR IS GARAGED AND KEPT IN PARKING GARAGE AT WORK. DISCOLORATION OF THE DASH BEGAN AT 40,000 MILES ONLY INVOLVING THIS SAME PART. I USED MEGUIRES DASHBOARD PROTECTOR AT THE ADVICE OF THE ACURA DEALERSHIP SINCE 40,000 MILES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO STOP THE PROCESS. DASH PART APPEARS DEFECTIVE BUT ACURA DOES NOT APPEAR INTERESTED IN RECALLING.
FRONT PASSANGER DASH BEGAN TO CRACK IN AIRBAG AREA FOR NO APPEARENT REASON. WAS NOT OVER EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND VEHICAL HAD JUST OVER 80,000 MILES AT FIRST SIGHT OF DAMAGE. DASH CRACKING CONTINUED ON BOTH SIDES OF PASSANGER AIRBAG DOWN TOWARDS GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON DUE TO THIS COMPROMISE. I TRIED TO…
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FRONT PASSANGER DASH BEGAN TO CRACK IN AIRBAG AREA FOR NO APPEARENT REASON. WAS NOT OVER EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND VEHICAL HAD JUST OVER 80,000 MILES AT FIRST SIGHT OF DAMAGE. DASH CRACKING CONTINUED ON BOTH SIDES OF PASSANGER AIRBAG DOWN TOWARDS GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON DUE TO THIS COMPROMISE. I TRIED TO INQUIRE ABOUT DEALERSHIP COVERAGE OF REPLACEMENT OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD, AS I FEARED THAT BAGS MAY FULLY DEPLOY AT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I SOLELY WOULD HAVE TO COVER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE DASH CONSOLE, AS THEY COULD NOT, AND WOULD NOT, TAKE ANY RESPONSIBLITY FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED, AS THE COST IS WELL INTO THE $2,000 RANGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR! I AM UNEASY DRIVING MY VEHICAL. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT SO MANY ACURA TL 2004 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ACURA SHOULD TAKE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL ALL 2004 ACURA TL VEHICLES WITH PASSENGER DASH/AIRBAG DEFECTS!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS SEVERALLY DAMAGED AND TORN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS SEVERALLY DAMAGED AND TORN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
THE CRACKS AROUND PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEAR. THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. SOME CHIPPING STARTED NOW. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT COULDN'T CLEAR THE LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE AND UNDER CANOPY AT…
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THE CRACKS AROUND PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEAR. THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. SOME CHIPPING STARTED NOW. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT COULDN'T CLEAR THE LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE AND UNDER CANOPY AT WORK.
EXTENSIVE CRACKING OF DASHBOARD COVER, INCLUDING NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH MAY CAUSE DASHBOARD PIECES TO BECOME MISSILES IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT OF THIS AIRBAG. ACURA HAS OF THIS DATE NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR IN ANY WAY THAT I KNOW OF ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PRODUCT ISSUE. *TR
A SMALL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD ON LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. OVER TIME, THE CRACK HAS GROWN AND ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. BOTH CRACKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH RUNNING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD DOWN PAST THE AIRBAG. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 CRACKS ON THE …
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A SMALL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD ON LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. OVER TIME, THE CRACK HAS GROWN AND ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE RIGHT SIDE ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. BOTH CRACKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH RUNNING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD DOWN PAST THE AIRBAG. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 CRACKS ON THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND THEY ARE PROGRESSING IN ALL DIRECTIONS EVERYDAY. RAPID PROGRESSION OF THESE CRACKS (SPECIALLY THE ONES AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREA) MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING AROUND THIS CAR. IF THE DASHBOARD IS NOT REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, THIS AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY PRE MATURELY AND CAUSE SERIOUS HARM AND/OR INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF MY FAMILY MEMBER. THIS DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE AND ACURA/DEALER NEEDS TO PAY FOR THE PART TO BE FIXED AND/OR REPLACED. *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.