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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.

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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

Steering complaints

34 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2023
Air BagsSteering

I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events of an accident

NHTSA ODI #11519609

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2023
Steering

In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to this happening. Upon my research, I noticed that there is a standing recall for the 2004 Acura TL, but not for my specific …

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In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to this happening. Upon my research, I noticed that there is a standing recall for the 2004 Acura TL, but not for my specific VIN. I believe that my issue may be related to this recall (08V-091) and believe this recall should be added to my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11513693

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2022
SteeringSuspension

I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light co…

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I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light comes on and tugs the vehicle to the right. When we purchased the vehicle I drove it home with my 16 year old (it is planned to be his first car) and I was on the highway going 60 and the VSA light came on and tugged the vehicle to the right. I did not lose control but it can definitely catch someone off guard and cause them to over correct. I took the car in to a local auto shop and they said there was a fault on the VSA module and a couple of other issues. I spent $1,300 to replace both front bearings, hubs, 1 speed control sensor because they recommended that be done before looking to replace the VSA modulating assembly ($1,800 + install). I checked the Acura site and (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) but there is nothing there about a recall for the VSA module. I have seen other posts online of people saying that the car pulls to the right when the VSA light comes on so I seems to be an issue. In winter conditions having an issue like this could cause an over correction and/or loss of control which could cause an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11472304

170,000 miles · Nov 15, 2021
SteeringFire

The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at 10 - 15 mph, a burning odor was detected and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed there was fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter that was causing the smoke. The vehicle was not diagnos…

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The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at 10 - 15 mph, a burning odor was detected and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed there was fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter that was causing the smoke. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V091000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11440540

196,000 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Air BagsPower TrainSteering

TORQUE CONVERTER HAS DIFFERENCE OF 200RPM OR GREATER THAN CAUSING TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL POWER STEERING LINE ALLOWING AIR INTO SYSTEM. SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WON'T SENT CODE

NHTSA ODI #11406649

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteering

MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT I THINK HOSE BUSTED HARD TO STEER AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING REVERSE IS GOING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11386027

150,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Power TrainSteeringSuspensionFire

AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULO…

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AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11383370

175,000 miles · Nov 13, 2019
Steering

STEERING PUMP HOSE LEAKS. I HAVE TIGHTED THE CLAMP WHICH STOPPED IT FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS LEAKING AGAIN AND THE HOSE LOOKS TO BE DETERIATING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. ALSO THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND YOU CANT GET IT OUT. HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT HAS HAPPEED AGAIN. A SEARCH WILL…

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STEERING PUMP HOSE LEAKS. I HAVE TIGHTED THE CLAMP WHICH STOPPED IT FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS LEAKING AGAIN AND THE HOSE LOOKS TO BE DETERIATING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. ALSO THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND YOU CANT GET IT OUT. HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT HAS HAPPEED AGAIN. A SEARCH WILL FIND THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO ON THE MDX.

NHTSA ODI #11279796

193,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Power TrainSteering

POWER STEERING SPIT OUT OIL EVERYWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11139687

194,604 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,604.

NHTSA ODI #11084419

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.