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2005 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tl years

Owner complaints for the 2005 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

277 reports with mileage · 111 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 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

144 reports
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58,400 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Air BagsStructure

ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD OF MY '05 ACURA TL. THE DASH CONTINUED TO SPLIT TO OVER A FOOT IN LENGTH. WITHIN A MONTH OF THE FIRST CRACK, A SECOND ONE APPEARED AND GREW TO MATCH THE SAME LENGTH. THESE CRACKS OUTLINE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. WHAT AFFECT DOES THIS HAVE ON THE SECURITY OF THE AI…

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ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD OF MY '05 ACURA TL. THE DASH CONTINUED TO SPLIT TO OVER A FOOT IN LENGTH. WITHIN A MONTH OF THE FIRST CRACK, A SECOND ONE APPEARED AND GREW TO MATCH THE SAME LENGTH. THESE CRACKS OUTLINE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. WHAT AFFECT DOES THIS HAVE ON THE SECURITY OF THE AIRBAG? I'M CONCERNED THAT A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT IS ENDANGERED AS THE STRUCTURE IS COMPROMISED? I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF TL OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S FOUND PREDOMINATELY IN THE 2004 - 2007 MODELS. I'VE READ THAT ACURA HAS ADMITTED AN "ISSUE" WITH THE DASH, BUT WANTS THE OWNERS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE COSTS RANGE FROM $2000 - $3000 PER CAR. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY TL CURRENTLY HAS 66849 MILES ON IT. I'D LIKE TO RECEIVE SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532746

118,000 miles · Jul 28, 2013
Air BagsStructure

CRACKED DASH BOARD RIGHT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. VERY UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR AND A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532185

58,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Air BagsStructure

I DIDN'T HAVE AN INCIDENT BUT MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED EVERYWHERE INCLUDING WHERE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED. ACURA CLAIMS WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND REFUSES TO FIX THIS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A LUXURY CAR AND NO OTHER CARS IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAVE THIS ISSUE, PLUS MY CAR IS GARAGE KE…

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I DIDN'T HAVE AN INCIDENT BUT MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED EVERYWHERE INCLUDING WHERE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED. ACURA CLAIMS WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND REFUSES TO FIX THIS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A LUXURY CAR AND NO OTHER CARS IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAVE THIS ISSUE, PLUS MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND APPARENTLY 1000S OF ACURA TL OWNERS FROM 2004 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR THE CARS TAKEN OFF THE ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521777

135,000 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Air BagsStructure

MY DASHBOARD RECENTLY DEVELOPED A CRACK ABOUT 6 INCHES IN LENGTH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. I HAVE READ WHERE MULTIPLE INCIDENCES LIKE MINE HAVE BEEN RECORDED FOR THIS VEHICLE & ACURA APPARENTLY IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521307

85,000 miles · May 30, 2013
Air BagsStructure

THERE WERE TWO HAIRLINE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO. OVER THE WINTER MONTHS THE CRACKS SEEMED TO SPREAD. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD CAUSE INJURY IF THE AIRBAG EVER DETONATED AS THE AIRBAG WOULD LIKELY MALFUNCTION. I'VE NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 20…

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THERE WERE TWO HAIRLINE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO. OVER THE WINTER MONTHS THE CRACKS SEEMED TO SPREAD. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD CAUSE INJURY IF THE AIRBAG EVER DETONATED AS THE AIRBAG WOULD LIKELY MALFUNCTION. I'VE NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2005 ACURA TLS AND FIND IT ANNOYING THAT ACURA WON'T CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN A CAR... IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? DOES ANYONE KNOW FOR SURE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL WORK PROPERLY IN A TIME OF NEED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514277

160,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Air BagsStructure

CRACKS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD ABOVE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS CLAIMS THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AS AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE 2009. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VEHICLE. QUOTE TO FIX THIS "BLEMISH" IS OVER 2K. ACURA WILL ONLY PAY 50% I MUST PAY THE OTHER $1000. I B…

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CRACKS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD ABOVE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS CLAIMS THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AS AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE 2009. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VEHICLE. QUOTE TO FIX THIS "BLEMISH" IS OVER 2K. ACURA WILL ONLY PAY 50% I MUST PAY THE OTHER $1000. I BELIEVE ACURA SHOULD HAVE THIS REPLACED. AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF. HOPING THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479772

98,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Air BagsStructure

CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL. LOCATED ALONG EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (OUTLINING RIGHT SIDE OF AIRBAG) AND ABOVE STEERING COLUMN. CONCERNED THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY, OR WILL CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT IT DOES DEPLOY. GARAGE KEPT, APX 98K MILES WHEN FIRST CRACK APPEARED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479594

32,000 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED WITH CRACKS ALL OVER. FOOT LONG CRACK ON THE RIGHT OF THE AIR BAG AREA AND SMALL CRACK AT THE CENTER FRONT SPEAKER. THE AIRBAG AREA IS COVERED WITH LONG CRACKS FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND, BUT THE DASHBOARD HAS A LOOK OF LONG CRACKS ALL THROUGHOUT. TH…

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THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED WITH CRACKS ALL OVER. FOOT LONG CRACK ON THE RIGHT OF THE AIR BAG AREA AND SMALL CRACK AT THE CENTER FRONT SPEAKER. THE AIRBAG AREA IS COVERED WITH LONG CRACKS FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND, BUT THE DASHBOARD HAS A LOOK OF LONG CRACKS ALL THROUGHOUT. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED ACURA TL'S WITH THIS VERY SAME CRACKING PATTERN ON FACEBOOK AS WELL AS ACURAZINE COMMUNITY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE BUILD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477947

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2012
Air BagsStructure

I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOW IT HAS SPREAD ACROSS MY WHOLE DASHBOARD THERE ARE MANY CRACKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475417

107,000 miles · Jul 21, 2012
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKS -NOTICED SMALL CRACK IN MY 2005 TL DASHBOARD OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MAY 2012. OVERNIGHT IT GREW FROM FRONT TO BACK. MY CAR IS GARAGED. CONTACTED MY SERVICE ADVISOR BY PHONE AND HE STATED IT WAS COSMETIC AND DUE TO HIGH HEAT AND HIGH MILEAGE. I STATED CAR WAS GARAGED AND I OWNED OTHER CARS THAT WERE AS OLD …

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DASHBOARD CRACKS -NOTICED SMALL CRACK IN MY 2005 TL DASHBOARD OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MAY 2012. OVERNIGHT IT GREW FROM FRONT TO BACK. MY CAR IS GARAGED. CONTACTED MY SERVICE ADVISOR BY PHONE AND HE STATED IT WAS COSMETIC AND DUE TO HIGH HEAT AND HIGH MILEAGE. I STATED CAR WAS GARAGED AND I OWNED OTHER CARS THAT WERE AS OLD AND NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS. HE TOLD ME COST WAS $1850 TO REPLACE. HE SAID HE'D SEND THE COMPLAINT TO CORPORATE AND GET BACK TO ME. HE CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID ACURA WOULD PAY 75% OF COST SINCE I WAS A GOOD CUSTOMER. I SAID THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO REGIONAL MANAGER. HE SAID HE'D TAKE THE REQUEST FURTHER. IN THE MEANTIME I NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK. A WEEK LATER I GOT A CALL STATING ACURA WOULD PAY 85% AND I'D PAY $247 PLUS TAX. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG COULD MALFUNCTION AND NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DEPLOY FOR NO REASON. I DECIDED TO PAY THE $247. DEALER STATED HE WOULD GIVE ME A LOANER CAR. BEFORE I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR I NOTICED TWO MORE CRACKS. MY CONCERN IS SAFETY FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE WITH DASHBOARD CRACKS. THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW OR MATERIAL DEFECT AND ACURA SHOULD RECALL TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. TOO MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM AND THIS IS A LUXURY CAR. ACURA KNOWS IT'S AN ISSUE OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE AGREED TO PAY $85%.

NHTSA ODI #10467421

Official recalls

5

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.

07V097000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Mar 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

05V132000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Apr 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A LOOSE TERMINAL IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 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.