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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
111,300 miles · Nov 12, 2012
Structure

DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012, I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD ON THE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG STARTED TO SPLIT. THE CAR WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT, AND I AM THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO OPERATES THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS DATE, ONE SPLIT HAVE TURNED INTO TWO LARGE SPLITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT MEASURE AT ABOUT A FOOT EACH. A…

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DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012, I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD ON THE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG STARTED TO SPLIT. THE CAR WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT, AND I AM THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO OPERATES THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS DATE, ONE SPLIT HAVE TURNED INTO TWO LARGE SPLITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT MEASURE AT ABOUT A FOOT EACH. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE NOTICED A SMALLER SPLIT IN THE DASHBOARD NOW ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN ACURA DEALER ON 11/10/2012 (ACURA OF MANHATTAN) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND TO ALSO INQUIRE ABOUT WHAT ACURA IS DOING TO FIX THE ISSUE AND REPLACE MY DASHBOARD AT NO COST TO ME DUE TO THE DESIGN DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND DOES PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER OR MYSELF BECAUSE ACURA WAS NEGLIGENT IN THEIR DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THEY MANUFACTURED A PART THAT WOULD NOT FAIL AND CAUSE INJURY TO PASSENGERS OF THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484041

80,000 miles · Nov 7, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO YOU OVER A YEAR AGO AND NOTHING WAS EVER RESOLVED! OUR DASH IS CRACKING ONLY WHERE BOTH AIR BAGS ARE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DASH! THIS WAS NOT CASED BY ANYTHING BUT THE MANUFACTURE. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS. WE HAVE A 03 AND 04 ACUR…

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THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO YOU OVER A YEAR AGO AND NOTHING WAS EVER RESOLVED! OUR DASH IS CRACKING ONLY WHERE BOTH AIR BAGS ARE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DASH! THIS WAS NOT CASED BY ANYTHING BUT THE MANUFACTURE. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS. WE HAVE A 03 AND 04 ACURA TL. THE 03 HAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS AND IT DOESN'T EVEN SHOW ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE. THE 04 NEEDS A RECALL BEFORE OUR AIRBAGS COME OUT ON US DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN WE WILL SUE ACURA! I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483580

80,000 miles · Oct 25, 2012
Air BagsStructure

CRACKING DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482285

80,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Power TrainSeatsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DASHBOARD CRACK UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD BECOME EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DASHBOARD CRACK UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD BECOME EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. . ..UPDATED 12/03/12 *BF UPDATED 12/06/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10480673

80,000 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. IF THE AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD SHOOT SHARP EDGED PIECES OF PLASTIC AT THE PASSENGERS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS HAPPENING TO EVERY 2004-2008 ACURA TL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. SOME ACURA DEALERS ARE COVERING SOME OF TH…

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THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. IF THE AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD SHOOT SHARP EDGED PIECES OF PLASTIC AT THE PASSENGERS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS HAPPENING TO EVERY 2004-2008 ACURA TL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. SOME ACURA DEALERS ARE COVERING SOME OF THE COST BUT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR CONSUMERS SAFETY. MY WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN THE CAR AND WILL NOT ALLOW OUR CHILDREN AS WELL. SO I HAVE A $50,000 LUXURY SEDAN THAT IS USELESS. PLEASE HELP US ACURA OWNERS. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480033

143,000 miles · Oct 8, 2012
Structure

DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479273

120,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Structure

GOT INTO MY CAR AND NOTICED MY DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES!! THIS IS WRONG!! ACURA SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475357

51,000 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Air BagsStructure

MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK AROUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED. THIS CRACK JUST APPEARED AND THE CHECK AIRBAG INDICATOR IS ON. I'VE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE. PLEASE CHECK …

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MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK AROUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED. THIS CRACK JUST APPEARED AND THE CHECK AIRBAG INDICATOR IS ON. I'VE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A CAUSE FOR A RECALL ON THIS CAR. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473855

164,235 miles · Aug 26, 2012
Structure

THERE ARE SOME CRACK ON THE DASH BOARD DUE TO BAD MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472480

115,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472331

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.