IllustrationI WAS PARKED IN AN AUTOMATIC CARWASH WHEN MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG STARTED DRIPPING WATER ON ME. I'M AFRAID THIS COULD CAUSE MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRAZY ELECTRICAL ISSUES INTERMITTENTLY THAT ARE NOT SAFE AND I WONDER IF THIS IS RELATED. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO IF THAT IS NEEDED.
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
Electrical System complaints
11 reportsMY 2004 ACURA TL IS MY FIRST CAR OWNED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 20-30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. BECAUSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A STRAIGHT WAY OR UP HILLS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION WITH ACURA TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS FINANCIALLY AND PHYSCIALLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RECALL …
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MY 2004 ACURA TL IS MY FIRST CAR OWNED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 20-30MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. BECAUSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A STRAIGHT WAY OR UP HILLS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION WITH ACURA TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS FINANCIALLY AND PHYSCIALLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RECALL BEING DONE ON MY 2004 ACURA TL BECAUSE I LOVE THIS CAR AND WOULD LOVE TO KEEP IT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO INSTALL ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ABOUT TRANSMISSINS FAILURES ON HONDA/ACURA TRANSMISSIONS. I THOUGHT ACURA WAS A GREAT BRAND, BUT ACURA CEO AND HEADQUARATERS HAVE TO KNOW THAT CONSUMERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS.
CAR TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. WILL NOT CHANGE OUR OF PARK. ENGINEERS TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT FIRE. FUEL PUMP WILL NOT COME ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN VARIOUS AREAS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN VARIOUS AREAS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
DRIVING ALONG AND POWER GOES OUT. AS IF POPS OUT OF GEAR. BUT DO NOT HEAR A POPPING INTO AND OUT OF GEAR. THEN ALL THE SUDDEN POPS BACK INTO GEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS. HIGH SPEED AND THEN POWER GOES OUT.
THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH MY ACURA IS THE BATTERY. I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 BATTERIES SINCE ABOUT 39,000 MILES. I NEVER KNEW WHY MY BATTERY WAS DYING UNTIL ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AN EMPLOYEE AT ACURA TOLD ME THAT THE HANDS FREE LINK IS DRAINING TOO MUCH OF THE BATTERY BECAUSE OF SOME FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I ASKED FOR THEM TO COVER I…
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THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH MY ACURA IS THE BATTERY. I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 BATTERIES SINCE ABOUT 39,000 MILES. I NEVER KNEW WHY MY BATTERY WAS DYING UNTIL ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AN EMPLOYEE AT ACURA TOLD ME THAT THE HANDS FREE LINK IS DRAINING TOO MUCH OF THE BATTERY BECAUSE OF SOME FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I ASKED FOR THEM TO COVER IT FOR FREE AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL WITH THAT EQUIPMENT YET. THEY ARE AWARE THAT OTHER ACURAS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET THEY STILL WON'T COVER MY COST FOR NEW EQUIPMENT OR AT LEAST COVER COST TO GET THE HANDS FREE DISCONNECTED. THIS DEVICE IS STILL DRAINING MY BATTERY. THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH CAR IS THAT THE BRAKES IN FRONT WERE STICKING SO BAD I HAD TO GE THE ROADERS GRINDED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. NOW THE BACK BRAKES ARE STICKING TOO. PLEASE CALL WHEN YOU REACH A DECISION. *TR
ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2004 TL BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1000 TO DO AN "APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC TEST". THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLAMPS STOPPED AFTER A FEW MONTHS, BUT THEN OTHER LIGHTS BEGAN GOING O…
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ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2004 TL BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1000 TO DO AN "APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC TEST". THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLAMPS STOPPED AFTER A FEW MONTHS, BUT THEN OTHER LIGHTS BEGAN GOING OUT (INTERIOR CENTER CONSOLE WHERE THE AC AND RADIO ARE, AND THE INTERIOR CONSOLE TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE INTERIOR DOOR CONSOLE) AND FLICKERING (EXTERIOR SIDE PANEL LIGHTS WHEN I ALARM OR DIS-ALARM THE CAR). I TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA AGAIN IN NOV 2011, AND THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS WAS FIXED AFTER THEY REPLACED MY BATTERY, BUT THEY MISTAKENLY ONLY LOOKED AT THE DRIVER'S DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ARE LOCATED (AND WHERE THERE IS NO PROBLEM) AND THE TECHS DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THIS LIGHTING PROBLEM IS GETTING UNSAFE, AS I CAN NO LONGER SEE THE BUTTONS FOR THE AC/DEFROST, ETC. AT NIGHT AND I HAVE TO FUMBLE AROUND TO PRESS THE CORRECT BUTTONS. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THE BATTERY WAS SO DRAINED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE IT, I BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *KB
WIRING HARNESS UNDER MOLDING BELOW DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DEVELOPED A SHORT, CAUSING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO FILL WITH SMOKE. MOLDING MELTED AND SITUATION WAS AVERTED PRIOR TO A FIRE DEVELOPING. *TR
ON 1/19/05 MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AUTODIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR FEATURE, & POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. I IMMIDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED. ON 1/27/05 I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND DIRTY WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW WAS HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE DIRT WITH THE WASHER FLUID, BUT …
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ON 1/19/05 MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AUTODIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR FEATURE, & POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. I IMMIDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED. ON 1/27/05 I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND DIRTY WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW WAS HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE DIRT WITH THE WASHER FLUID, BUT IT AGAIN WAS NOT WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2004 ACURA TLS AND THAT ACURA IS WORKING ON IT. THEY REPALCED THE FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IN THE MEANTIME I CAN'T RELY ON MY WASHER FLUID TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS TO MY VISION, WHICH MAY CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER RAIN AND SNOWFALL. CURRENTLY, NO PERMINENT SOLUTION WAS OFFERRED. *AK
THE KNOCK SENSOR WIRE SENDS EMISSION FROM THE ENGINE. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EMISSION THE SENSOR IS SUPPOSE TO ADJUST THE FUEL. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *JB
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.