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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
29,000 miles · May 31, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD TO BREAK FOR A CAT RUNNING IN THE ROAD TO A HEAVY AND COMPLETE STOP. IT CAUSED THE ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TO MELT AND NOW ARE HARDEN AND DON'T STOP AS WELL AND MAKES A HEAVY GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS OK JUST TO BRAKE HARD A FEW TIMES AND WILL CLEAR THE PAD. I HAVE TRIED THIS AND THE NOSE IS GETT…

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I HAD TO BREAK FOR A CAT RUNNING IN THE ROAD TO A HEAVY AND COMPLETE STOP. IT CAUSED THE ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TO MELT AND NOW ARE HARDEN AND DON'T STOP AS WELL AND MAKES A HEAVY GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS OK JUST TO BRAKE HARD A FEW TIMES AND WILL CLEAR THE PAD. I HAVE TRIED THIS AND THE NOSE IS GETTING WORST. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IN EMERGENCY STOP WILL CAUSE THE BRAKE TO FAIL OR MELT DO TO THE HIGHER FRICTION. PAD DOSE NOT SEEM TO BE SOFT BUT HARD NOW. THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN EMERGENCY STOP ONCE PADS HEAT UP. THE ACURA WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE IT AS AN ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158661

1 miles · Apr 29, 2006
Power TrainSuspension

VIBRATION AT 50-55 MPH. SOMETIMES WORSE THAN OTHERS. CAN MAKE CAR FEEL UNSTABLE. CHANGING TIRES DID NOT HELP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156433

15,000 miles · Apr 17, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ORIGINAL REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES DUE TO BALDNESS TWO-THIRDS FROM THE OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA P23545R17.

NHTSA ODI #10155501

33,000 miles · Mar 13, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAG…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD AWAITING INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10152617

27,200 miles · Feb 13, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A TWO INCH CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THESE WERE RATED FOR 25,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD 27,200 MILES AT TIME OF FAI…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A TWO INCH CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THESE WERE RATED FOR 25,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD 27,200 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE TIRE LINE IS 92354517EL42.

NHTSA ODI #10150114

18,060 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Tires

OEM BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRE DISINTEGRATED ON DRIVE SIDE REAR WHEEL OF 2004 ACURA TL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX 55 MPH. VIBRATION AND THEN SUDDENLY TIRE FELL APART. SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM BEAD. TIRE SIZE P235/45 R17. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149682

23,800 miles · Jan 14, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON NOVEMBER 19, MY 2004 ACURA TL WAS STRUCK SQUARELY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $5000 DAMAGE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE WRITTEN ACURA CLIENT SERVICES ASKING IF THERE WAS SOME REASON FOR THIS BUT THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME THE COURTESY OF AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MUCH LESS A REPLY. I …

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ON NOVEMBER 19, MY 2004 ACURA TL WAS STRUCK SQUARELY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $5000 DAMAGE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE WRITTEN ACURA CLIENT SERVICES ASKING IF THERE WAS SOME REASON FOR THIS BUT THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME THE COURTESY OF AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MUCH LESS A REPLY. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A DEFECT OR AND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147784

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2006
Tires

THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL-42, 235/45-17 93W ) SUPPLIED ON THE 2004 ACURA TL WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME I HAVE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNSUITABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR RE…

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THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL-42, 235/45-17 93W ) SUPPLIED ON THE 2004 ACURA TL WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME I HAVE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNSUITABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS TIRE ON ALL EXISTING VEHICLES. THIS TIRE EXHIBITS UNSAFE CHARACTERISTICS IN WET WEATHER, WITH NOTICEABLE DRIFT AND HYDROPLANING IN ANY AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER, EVEN AS LITTLE AS 1/16 INCH. IN HEAVY RAINS, EVEN WITH NO STANDING WATER PRESENT, THE TIRE SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DISPERSING WATER AS QUICKLY AS IT FALLS, AGAIN LEADING TO VEHICLE INSTABILITY. FROM A RIDE QUALITY POINT OF VIEW THE TIRE IS ALSO UNSATISFACTORY IN THAT IT FLAT SPOTS EVERY MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN COOL WEATHER BUT EVEN IN WARMER WEATHER AS WELL, LEADING TO VIBRATIONS IN THE INITIAL MILES OF ANY DRIVE. IT IS ALSO ESPECIALLY HARSH OVER ROADWAY EXPANSION JOINTS, AND IS SO LOUD ON CONCRETE PAVEMENTS THAT IT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO DRIVER FATIGUE INDUCED BY THE CONTINUOUS NOISE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE REGARDING THE RATING AS AN "ALL SEASON TIRE" WITH MANY OWNERS REPORTING THAT THIS TIRE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS IN ANY KIND OF SNOW CONDITIONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147752

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2006
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 50 OR MORE MPH THE 2004 ACURA TL VIBRATES. *TS THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SEAT. THE VIBRATION WAS CONSTANT BUT VARIED IN INTENSITY DEPENDING ON THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AFTER THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 50 OR MORE MPH THE 2004 ACURA TL VIBRATES. *TS THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SEAT. THE VIBRATION WAS CONSTANT BUT VARIED IN INTENSITY DEPENDING ON THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AFTER THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD DEEMED THE VIBRATION A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148669

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005
Tires

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 42 TIRE SUPPLIED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 2004 ACURA TL. THIS TIRE IS TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSAFE FOR THE INTENDED CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH IT IS RATED MS AS AN ALL SEASON TIRE, IT CAN NOT MAINTAIN EVEN MINIMAL TRACTION IN LIGHT SNOW. ALSO, AS THE …

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 42 TIRE SUPPLIED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 2004 ACURA TL. THIS TIRE IS TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSAFE FOR THE INTENDED CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH IT IS RATED MS AS AN ALL SEASON TIRE, IT CAN NOT MAINTAIN EVEN MINIMAL TRACTION IN LIGHT SNOW. ALSO, AS THE TREAD WEARS, IT SHOW SIGNIFICANT TENDENCIES TO HYDROPLANE IN ANY AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER. THE FLAT SPOTTING ALSO CREATES DISTRACTING VIBRATIONS DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS TIRE INSTALLED, YET ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR ADDRESS THE PROBLEM UNLESS DIRECTED TO BY NHTSA. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145900

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.