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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

56 reports
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3 miles · Sep 12, 2004
Power TrainTires

I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TL WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER TWICE FOR 7 TOTAL DAYS, TRYING TO CORRECT A VIBRATION BETWEEN 45 AND 60. IT IS ALSO EVIDENT AT 75-80. VIBRATION IS FELT IN SEAT, STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS DEALER REPLACED FRONT TIRES TWICE AND FRONT RIMS ONCE. WE STILL EXPERIENCE THE VIBRATION FREQUEN…

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I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TL WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER TWICE FOR 7 TOTAL DAYS, TRYING TO CORRECT A VIBRATION BETWEEN 45 AND 60. IT IS ALSO EVIDENT AT 75-80. VIBRATION IS FELT IN SEAT, STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS DEALER REPLACED FRONT TIRES TWICE AND FRONT RIMS ONCE. WE STILL EXPERIENCE THE VIBRATION FREQUENTLY. I CONTACTED HONDA OF AMERICA. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM KNOWN FOR APPROXIMATEL 4 MONTHS. I ASKED ABOUT RETURNING THE CAR AND WAS TOLD I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY MONEY BACK. HE STATED THAT ENGINEERING IS LOOKING AT MODIFYING ENGINE MOUNTS. I TOLD HIM THAT WAS ONLY MASKING THE PROBLEM. HE STATED ALL 04 AND 05 MODELS HAVE THE PROBLEM! I WAS FLOORED THEY KNEW IT AND WERE STILL PUSHING CARS OUT THE DOOR AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON TIRES. I ASKED ABOUT INHERENT VIBRATION IMPACT ON THE LIFE EXPECTANCY TO THE DRIVER TRAIN SEALS AND BEARINGS. THE HONDA OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE BECAME VERY RUDE. I GOT HIS NAME AND HUNG UP. NOT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM HONDA OR A $35K CAR! THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERWAS APPALLED THAT HONDA AMERICA STATED THERE WAS WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER, STATED THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT AND INSISTED THIS IS A TIRE ISSUE! IT IS DESHEARTENING TO GET TWO DIFFERENT STORIES. I BELIEVE THE TIRE STORY GIVES THE HONDA CORPORATE OFFICES SOME RELIEF OF LIABILITY BY LEVERAGING OFF OF FIRESTONE FOR DEFECTS. SHOULD THE TORQUE CONVERTER BE OPENLY PURSUED AS THE CULPRIT AND JOHNQ. PUBLIC KNOWING ABOUT IT, THIS COULD BE A DRIVE A COSTLY RECALL FUNDED FROM THE POCKETS OF HONDA OF AMERICA! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090857

675 miles · Aug 4, 2004
Power Train

RECENTLY PURCHASED AN ACCURA 2004 TL.CAR CURRENTLY HAS 600 MILES.NOTICED A VIBRATIONS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH.TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER(RICK CASE) TWICE TO HAVE THE WHEELS REBALANCED.DID NOT REMOVE THE VIBRATION.THE THIRD TIME BACK TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL TL'S HAVE TH…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED AN ACCURA 2004 TL.CAR CURRENTLY HAS 600 MILES.NOTICED A VIBRATIONS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH.TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER(RICK CASE) TWICE TO HAVE THE WHEELS REBALANCED.DID NOT REMOVE THE VIBRATION.THE THIRD TIME BACK TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL TL'S HAVE THIS ISSUE.I CALLED HONDA.THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY INTEND TO DO REGARDING THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE VIBRATION IS NORMAL FOR THE 2004'S AS IT GOES INTO 5TH GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086195

50 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Power TrainTires

NO ACCIDENT TIRES, OVER DRIVE, QUICK TO PULL TO THE RIGHT IS A BIG SAFTEY FAULT. I FEEL THERE ARE ALL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE HORSEPOWER, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, TRANSMISSION, AND HUMMING AND VIBRATION THROUGH OUT THE CAR AND MOST NOTABLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-60MPH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10078366

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2004
Power TrainTires

NEW ACURA TL. VIBRATION AT MOST SPEEDS; ODD SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPORTED TO ED VOYLES (DEALER). ONE SERVICE (REBALANCE TIRES) DIDN'T HELP. TALKED W/ FRED AT ACURA CARLAND (FRIEND'S DEALER), WHO SUPSECTS A FIX FOR THIS AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. FRED REPORTS THAT MOST OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR (AND ADDITIONAL) PR…

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NEW ACURA TL. VIBRATION AT MOST SPEEDS; ODD SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPORTED TO ED VOYLES (DEALER). ONE SERVICE (REBALANCE TIRES) DIDN'T HELP. TALKED W/ FRED AT ACURA CARLAND (FRIEND'S DEALER), WHO SUPSECTS A FIX FOR THIS AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. FRED REPORTS THAT MOST OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR (AND ADDITIONAL) PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068319

6 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Power Train

SEVERE VIBRATION AT MOST SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN THE 40 - 60 MPH RANGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058824

500 miles · Feb 17, 2004
Power Train

VEHICLE VIBRATION AT CONSTANT SPEEDS IN THE RANGE A) 30-40 MPH; AND B) 50-60 MPH; THIS VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE CREATES AN AVERSION TO DRIVE WITH THE VIBRATION AND THEREFORE EXCEED THESE SPEED LIMITS ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL SPEED LIMITS POSTED MAY BE LOWER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10058372

Official recalls

4

19V182000 · 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

1

PE07060 · 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.