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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

What owners actually said

551 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

ONGOING PROBLEMS WENT TO DEALER TOLD WAS FINE. EXPERIENCE LEAKS AND NOISE ISSUES WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. BACK TO DEALER WAS TOLD SOMETHING WRONG WITH STEERING RACK , POWER STEERING PUMP AND LEAK SOMEWHERE. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS IN PAST FOR SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575566

150,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Structure

WE PURCHASED A 2004 ACURA TL FROM A LOCAL OWNER. AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING EVERYWHERE! THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 15 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. I CALLED ACURA & THEY TOLD ME I WASN'T A LOYAL CUSTOMER & THE CAR IS TOO OLD! THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $1700 TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD & THEY WOULD CHAR…

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WE PURCHASED A 2004 ACURA TL FROM A LOCAL OWNER. AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING EVERYWHERE! THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 15 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. I CALLED ACURA & THEY TOLD ME I WASN'T A LOYAL CUSTOMER & THE CAR IS TOO OLD! THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $1700 TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD & THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $1300!!! VERY NICE OF THEM, RIGHT! WRONG!!!! I SENT A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ACURA ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE TO THE HEADQUARTERS. THERE RESPONSE WAS STILL THE SAME! I ALSO SENT THEM PICTURES OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD & IT JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE. WHO ELSE CAN WE FILE COMPLAINTS WITH? MY 2005 ACURA TL DASHBOARD CRACKED AS WELL BUT THEY REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE SAYING THEY HOPED TO EARN MY BUSINESS. WHEN MY 2005 ACURA TL PAINT FADED AL OVER THE CAR, THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT! THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I LIVED IN NORTH CAROLINA!! AND, I WASN'T A LOYAL CUSTOMER BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY OWNED 3 ACURAS!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575508

164,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH HAS BEGUN TO CRACK AND I FEAR IT IS GOING TO WEAKEN THE DASH WHERE MY AIR BAGS ARE LOCATED, RESULTING IN A DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572972

48,500 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD CRACKED SUDDENLY ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT EXPOSING THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT TO THE SUN THROUGH THE CRACK. DASHBOARD ALSO DEFORMED AND APPEARS TO BE STICKING TO AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AROUND THE EDGES ON THE TOP. THE CRACK IS GROWING. THE CRACK INITIALLY FORMED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND MADE A LOUD CLA…

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DASHBOARD CRACKED SUDDENLY ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT EXPOSING THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT TO THE SUN THROUGH THE CRACK. DASHBOARD ALSO DEFORMED AND APPEARS TO BE STICKING TO AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AROUND THE EDGES ON THE TOP. THE CRACK IS GROWING. THE CRACK INITIALLY FORMED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND MADE A LOUD CLAP, WHICH COULD STARTLE DRIVERS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD FAIL DUE TO THIS DEFECT AND FURTHER CRACKS COULD FORM SUDDENLY MAKING STARTLING NOISES WHILE DRIVING.THE SIZE OF THE CRACK AND AMOUNT OF DEFORMATION VARIES WITH TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA ODI #10567252

97,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Visibility

PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT IN THE GARAGE AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PAMPERED AND HAS NEVER SPENT TIME OUTSIDE OF A GARAGE EXCEPT FOR RARE OCCASIONS VISITING FAMILY OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND. EVEN WITH THAT, THE CAR MAYBE SPENDS A TOTAL OF 30 SOME ODD DAYS A YEAR IN TIME SITTING IN THE S…

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PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT IN THE GARAGE AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PAMPERED AND HAS NEVER SPENT TIME OUTSIDE OF A GARAGE EXCEPT FOR RARE OCCASIONS VISITING FAMILY OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND. EVEN WITH THAT, THE CAR MAYBE SPENDS A TOTAL OF 30 SOME ODD DAYS A YEAR IN TIME SITTING IN THE SUN. WENT TO TAKE THE CAR OUT TO THE STORE THE NEXT MORNING AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK GOING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SEAT ACROSS THE AIR BAG. THE NEXT DAY 2 MORE CRACKS APPEARED, AND THE NEXT DAY AN ADDITIONAL 2 CRACKS. FOR A CAR THAT HAD BEEN BEYOND WELL KEPT AND PAMPERED, NOT TO MENTION A 'LUXURY' CAR, SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS STATE. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH ACURAS AND HONDAS MUCH OLDER THAN MINE THAT HAVE SPENT THEIR ENTIRE LIVES SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE TEXAS HEAT AND HAVE NOT A SINGLE CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD, YET MINE WHICH HAS LIVED A "SHELTERED" LIFE HAS OVER 6 NOW. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE WEB, I NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS ISSUE. WHAT MAKES THIS MORE ANNOYING IS LOOKING AT PICTURES POSTED FROM OTHER OWNERS, THE PLACES WHERE THE CRACKS FORM AND GROW ARE ALMOST NEARLY IDENTICAL. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS BRAND OF VEHICLE AND THE FACT THAT A RECALL OR AN OFFER FORM ACURA TO REPLACE THIS DASHBOARDS HAS NOT BEEN MADE. ONE OR TWO PEOPLE HAVING THE ISSUE CAN BE OVER LOOKED. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME LOCATIONS IS A DEFECT. ACURA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION. NOW THEIR REPUTATION HAS NO MEANING TO ME. IF I HADN'T PAID SO MUCH FOR THE CAR TO START WITH AND THE FACT THAT REPLACING IT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR THAT FOR THE MOST PART IS STILL LIKE NEW WOULD BE INSANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561233

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2014
Steering

PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING CAUSING SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I READ ON ACURA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING FOR 2004-2008 ACURA TL. I AM EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND READ IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560741

98,000 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALLOW THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALLOW THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10559547

78,500 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASH BOARD DRIVER TO PASSENGER SIDE MANY LARGE LONG CRACKS. ACURA TL OWNERS GET NO RESPONSE FROM ACURA MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559287

104,579 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I OWN A 2004 ACURA TL THAT I PURCHASED IN APRIL 2013. AFTER I HAD THE CAR A MONTH IT BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGH WHERE THE DRIVE IS NORMALLY SMOOTH FOR ABOUT A DAY. AFTER A DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ABOUT AM HOUR LATER THE VSA AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE IGNITED, THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE. THE MANUAL INFORMED ME TO R…

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I OWN A 2004 ACURA TL THAT I PURCHASED IN APRIL 2013. AFTER I HAD THE CAR A MONTH IT BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGH WHERE THE DRIVE IS NORMALLY SMOOTH FOR ABOUT A DAY. AFTER A DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ABOUT AM HOUR LATER THE VSA AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE IGNITED, THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE. THE MANUAL INFORMED ME TO RESTART THE CAR IN ORDER TO CLEAR THIS CONDITION, AND IT NORMALLY WORKS ONLY TEMPORARILY. THIS SAME PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, COUPLE OF DAYS OR A WEEK, BUT IT IS AN CONTINUOUS PROBLEM THAT OFTEN PUTS ME IN COMPROMISED AND DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AT SEVERAL DEALERS AND OTHER MECHANICS TRYING TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED AND HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER THAT THEY CAN NOT DETECT A PROBLEM WITH THE CARE OR THEY ARE NOT CODES DECIPHERED BY THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT SHOULD CAUSE THAT CAN BE FIXED TO RELIEVE THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CODES ARE ERASED ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON, AND THE DEALERS THAT SAY THEY SEE THE CODES SAY THE CODES DOES ILLUSTRATE A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556576

42,000 miles · Dec 11, 2013
Air BagsStructure

CRACK ON DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT. DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT AS THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555701

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.