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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

Structure complaints

232 reports
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141,000 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Air BagsStructureCrash

I WAS READING SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DASHBOARD IS TOTALLY CRACKED SURROUNDING THE AIRBAG AND LOOKS LIKE THE AIRBAG WILL EXPLODE ANY TIME. I WAS ACTUALLY JUST IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT DIDN'T EXPLODE, WHICH MAKES ME EVEN MORE NERVOUS. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. …

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I WAS READING SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DASHBOARD IS TOTALLY CRACKED SURROUNDING THE AIRBAG AND LOOKS LIKE THE AIRBAG WILL EXPLODE ANY TIME. I WAS ACTUALLY JUST IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT DIDN'T EXPLODE, WHICH MAKES ME EVEN MORE NERVOUS. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AS WELL AS A VINYL/LEATHER REPAIR PLACE. THE REPAIR PLACE WON'T TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT SURROUNDS THE AIRBAG AND COULD EFFECT PROPER FUNCTION. HOWEVER, LIKE I SAID, I WAS JUST HIT IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND IT DIDN'T EXPLODE AT ALL!

NHTSA ODI #10929440

140,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016
Air BagsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING FRACTURED ALONG THE LOWER SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING FRACTURED ALONG THE LOWER SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10894832

81,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Air BagsEngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10894282

107,500 miles · Jun 22, 2016
Structure

LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD TODAY. I GOOGLED AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ACURA TLS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. I CALLED ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS AS WELL AS DEALER. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE CRACK DASHBOARD IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SRS AIRBAG SITS BEHIND THAT AND CA…

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LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD TODAY. I GOOGLED AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ACURA TLS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. I CALLED ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS AS WELL AS DEALER. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE CRACK DASHBOARD IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SRS AIRBAG SITS BEHIND THAT AND CAN EXPLODE.

NHTSA ODI #10875792

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2016
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING. NOW, IT HAS CRACKS ALL OVER. PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE. THIS MAY CAUSE ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS. I LOOKED ON LINE AND THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 2004 TLS. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. SOME HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THEIR AIR BAGS DUE TO THE CRACKING.

NHTSA ODI #10855673

98,542 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

NOT SURE IF THIS IS TAKATA ISSUE AS WELL! OR DUE TO DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD MATERIALS WHICH HAVE CRACKED SEVERELY BAD! WHEN IT STARTED THEY WERE LINES HARDLY NOTICEABLE! NOW DUE TO NEGLEGANCE OF THE COMPANY THE PRIMARY CRACKS ARE OVER THE AIRBAG AREA & HAVE CREVICES ACROSS TOP AND THEY ARE ACROSS ENTIRE DASHBOARD? THE LIGHT FOR AIRB…

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NOT SURE IF THIS IS TAKATA ISSUE AS WELL! OR DUE TO DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD MATERIALS WHICH HAVE CRACKED SEVERELY BAD! WHEN IT STARTED THEY WERE LINES HARDLY NOTICEABLE! NOW DUE TO NEGLEGANCE OF THE COMPANY THE PRIMARY CRACKS ARE OVER THE AIRBAG AREA & HAVE CREVICES ACROSS TOP AND THEY ARE ACROSS ENTIRE DASHBOARD? THE LIGHT FOR AIRBAGS COMES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES? THE SEAT BELT BEEPING INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME ANYMORE! MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 2004 IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FROM WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME! THAT IS OF COURSE UNTIL THEY SEE THE CRATERS IN THE DASH OF WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A HIGHER END NICE MODEL CAR THAT SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN???? THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THE FACT OF SAFETY? IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THE AIRBAGS HAVE DRIED OUT OR BECAME EFFECTED DUE TO THESE LARGE CRACKS AS WELL AS WHAT OTHER DAMAGE IT COULD BE CAUSING ELECTRONICALLY? AM I GOING TO END UP IN SOME HORRIFIC CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO AIRBAG RELEASE WHEN JUST DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THEN IT ALL BE MY FAULT FOR SWEVING OVER IN ANOTHER LANE AND CAUSE THE ACCIDENT! THEN IT WILL LOOK AS IF I WERE AT FAULT AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE, INSTEAD OPENED PREMATURELY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS? OF COURSE THIS IS A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION BUT I WOULD THINK TOTALLY PLAUSIBLE!!! AND ALL DUE TO NOT HAVING RECALLED WHAT EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS THAT DASHBOARD MATERIAL ON THIS MODEL AND OTHERS THAT WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY DEALERS SAME YEAR MODELS 2004-2008 FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL REASONS! THAT SEEMS LIKE A ROLL OF THE DIE AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE! NOT TO MENTION A LIABILITY TO ALL CONSUMERS THAT HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES!

NHTSA ODI #10854548

125,000 miles · Mar 19, 2016
Structure

CLEAR COAT IS PEELING REAL BAD

NHTSA ODI #10850524

150,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Structure

THE TOP OF THE DASH IN MY ACURA HAS MANY CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED TO THE POINT WHERE I BELIEVE IT MY IMPACT THE AIR BAG. MINOR CRACKS MIGHT BE SEEN WITH TIME IN THE DASH HOWEVER THESE ARE LARGE, NUMEROUS AND OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10836894

135,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Structure

MY DASH IS CRACKING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. FIRST AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THEN STARTED SINKING DEEPER THAT MAKES AN OBVIOUS RECTANGLE ON MY DASH. MY CONCERN IS IF THE DASH IS DRY ENOUGH TO SPLIT ALONG THE AIRBAG SEAMS, THEN WHAT WOULD PREVENT SHARDS OF DASH FLYING OFF IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS? THIS SHOULD GET SOME SERIOUS SAFETY C…

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MY DASH IS CRACKING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. FIRST AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THEN STARTED SINKING DEEPER THAT MAKES AN OBVIOUS RECTANGLE ON MY DASH. MY CONCERN IS IF THE DASH IS DRY ENOUGH TO SPLIT ALONG THE AIRBAG SEAMS, THEN WHAT WOULD PREVENT SHARDS OF DASH FLYING OFF IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS? THIS SHOULD GET SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10788494

165,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Air BagsStructure

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10748749

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.