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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
79,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER NEAR THE GUARD RAILS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT BUMPER AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER NEAR THE GUARD RAILS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT BUMPER AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 06/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/26/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10272842

98,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Power Train

2004 ACURA 3.2TL- TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269134

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2008
Power Train

2004 ACURA TL-TRANSMISSION FAILURE- WELL THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY CAR AS OF YET BUT I CAN FEEL THE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IM POSITIVE IT WILL GO OUT AT ANYTIME, AND FROM WHAT IT STATES IN YOUR LIST ACURA HAS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2004-2005 TL'S TRANSMISSION. AS IT STATES IN THE REVIEW IT CO…

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2004 ACURA TL-TRANSMISSION FAILURE- WELL THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY CAR AS OF YET BUT I CAN FEEL THE SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IM POSITIVE IT WILL GO OUT AT ANYTIME, AND FROM WHAT IT STATES IN YOUR LIST ACURA HAS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2004-2005 TL'S TRANSMISSION. AS IT STATES IN THE REVIEW IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF IT LOCKS UP WHICH COULD BE FATAL OR NON-FATAL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL SINCE SO MANY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE AND IF ITS POSSIBLE TO GET THEM TO BECAUSE ITS INVOLVING MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS IF IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THANKS, WILLIAM OSBORNE *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248840

73,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHUDDER AT 35-50 M.P.H WHILE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248298

31,800 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Wheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA 3.2TL. THE CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE . THE RIM BROKE INTO PIECES AND THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THE RIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11-24-08 *BF UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10246847

47,218 miles · Oct 26, 2008
SuspensionTires

I PURCHASED VEHICLE AUGUST 2, 2008. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HUMS AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AND A VIBRATION CAN BE FELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246733

51,900 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Tires

FORTY EIGHT DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SET OF PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON TIRES P235/45R17 FOR OUR 2004 ACURA, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CROSSING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AN HOUR. ABOUT 3/4'S OF THE WAY ACROSS THE BRIDGE, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR INSTANTLY BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MY HUSB…

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FORTY EIGHT DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SET OF PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON TIRES P235/45R17 FOR OUR 2004 ACURA, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CROSSING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AN HOUR. ABOUT 3/4'S OF THE WAY ACROSS THE BRIDGE, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR INSTANTLY BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND AS THERE IS NO PLACE TO STOP ON THE BRIDGE, SLOWED DOWN TO A CRAWL AND CONTINUED ABOUT A MILE UNTIL HE COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. THERE WAS NOTHING BUT THE REMAINS OF SIDEWALL ON THE RIM. THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THEY'D NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BUT THAT WE WERE CORRECT IN NOT STOPPING ON THE BRIDGE. UPON RESEARCH, WE FOUND THAT THIS COMPLAINT OF A SUDDEN BLOW-OUT HAS COME UP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. I AM GLAD THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED OR IN A SITUATION WHERE THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. AS IT WAS, WE WERE JUST DELAYED ON OUR TRIP BY A FEW HOURS. FORTUNATELY, THE STORE WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TIRES A FEW WEEKS BEFORE (AT ALMOST $900.00) REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH YOKOHAMA, THE BRAND THAT IS ORIGINAL TO OUR CAR. THE CAR IS DEALER MAINTAINED AND I AM CAREFUL TO CHECK AIRPRESSURE WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK. AT ANY RATE, THE SUDDEN DEFLATION WAS EXTRAORDINARY, AND AS NO OTHER VEHICLES SEEMED TO BE HAVING THE PROBLEM, I DOUBT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSED IT. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 2,000 MILES ON THEM, AND THEY HAD A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS WAS NOT A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD HOPE THAT A RECALL IS FORTHCOMING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241684

122,500 miles · Sep 6, 2008
Power Train

SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PREVIOUS NOISE. SIMILAR SYMPTOMS OF A PREVIOUS RECALL, BUT HONDA INSISTS IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY VIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241183

29,000 miles · Aug 11, 2008
StructureSuspensionTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB NUMBER 05-076 THAT WAS ISSUED BY ACURA. THE TSB PERTAINS TO TIRE WEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOADED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP WITH 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB NUMBER 05-076 THAT WAS ISSUED BY ACURA. THE TSB PERTAINS TO TIRE WEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOADED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP WITH 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TRIP WAS 5,600 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALD A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. HE CALLED THE ACURA DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TIRES WITH THE TOWING ISSUE AND THE TSB, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE BOTH ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER DIDN'T BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES. HE BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE POOR DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IN HIS CASE WAS ABOUT 300LBS COMPRISED OF SUITCASES AND HIS DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT (THE SUITCASES WERE IN THE TRUNK). WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE NOTICED THE TREAD ON THE TIRES HAD WORN DOWN TO NOTHING. UPDATED 09/10/08

NHTSA ODI #10237705

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE WAS NOT RECEIVED UNTIL SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE WAS CONCERNED OF THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT IT TOOK TO RECEIVE THE NOTIFICATION IN REGARDS TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10237218

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.