IllustrationMY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS. ON 5/21/12 SHE ADVISED A CRACK @ 2" HAD DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH OVER THE AIR BAG. ON 5/22/12 THE CRACK HAD ENLARGED AND IS NOW @ 4" LONG. *TT
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
Structure complaints
232 reportsTHE VEHICLE IS A 2004 ACURA TL. IT IS MAINLY GARAGED KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. IT HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RUNNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT APPEARED ONE DAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR BUT THEY WON'T COVE…
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THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 ACURA TL. IT IS MAINLY GARAGED KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. IT HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RUNNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT APPEARED ONE DAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR BUT THEY WON'T COVER THIS. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS DUE TO INFERIOR MATERIALS AND/OR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS...WILL THE CRACKED DASH PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING PROPERLY? OR WILL THERE BE PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD ACTING AS LITTLE MISSILES POSING A THREAT TO THE OCCUPANTS? *TT
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE. ACURA WILL NOT FIX IT. *TR
THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 15 LINES THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE DASH. IT STARTED AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND ACURA DIRECTLY. THEY CONTINUE TO DENY THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN THE CRAFTSMANSHIP. *JS
THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKED. THERE ARE TWO VERTICAL CRACKS OVER THE AIRBAGS. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT REPLACING IT AND I WAS TOLD IT'S CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF OVER $1700 DOLLARS. AFTER LOOKING INTO IT ON THE INTERNET I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT COMPLAINT. I WAS …
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THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKED. THERE ARE TWO VERTICAL CRACKS OVER THE AIRBAGS. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT REPLACING IT AND I WAS TOLD IT'S CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF OVER $1700 DOLLARS. AFTER LOOKING INTO IT ON THE INTERNET I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT COMPLAINT. I WAS TOLD BY A COLLISION SHOP THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF AIRBAG MISTAKENLY DEPLOYS. MANY ACURA.OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO REPLACE IT. CAN SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE? IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE LOCATION. THE CRACKS GO VERTICALLY FROM THE WINSHEILD TO THE OTHER EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD.. *TR
THERE IS A WATER LEAK UNDER THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAS CAUSED THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT CUSHION TO BE COVERED IN MOLD. THE WATER LEAK IS A KNOWN CONDITION WITH THE '04 TL THAT ACURA HAS DOCUMENTED IN THEIR APRIL 2005 SERVICE NEWS. ACURA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS AND HAS DONE NOTHING PROACTIVE TO…
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THERE IS A WATER LEAK UNDER THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAS CAUSED THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT CUSHION TO BE COVERED IN MOLD. THE WATER LEAK IS A KNOWN CONDITION WITH THE '04 TL THAT ACURA HAS DOCUMENTED IN THEIR APRIL 2005 SERVICE NEWS. ACURA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS AND HAS DONE NOTHING PROACTIVE TO CORRECT IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A SIMPLE FIX. I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO THE MOLD HAS CAUSED ME THE SINUS AND LUNG/ASTHMA PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PLAGUING ME FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THAT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR AND NEVER CONNECTED TO THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE UNDERGONE A VARIETY OF TESTING FROM DIFFERENT DOCTORS. *JS
MY ACURA TL 04 DASH STARTED CRACKING AND SPREAD QUICKLY TO REST OF THE AREA. THE CRACKS ARE ALL OVER MY DASH, RIGHT LEFT - TO TOP - OVER THE SPEAKERS, ETC. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. CAR IS PART OUTDOOR WITHOUT COVER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK WAS PRESENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK WAS PRESENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DASHBOARD HAD AN EXTENSIVE FRACTURE AT THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRACTURED DASHBOARD WOULD NOT AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DASHBOARD HAD AN EXTENSIVE FRACTURE AT THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRACTURED DASHBOARD WOULD NOT AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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.