THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES AN HOUR, THEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED COMING TO ABRUPTLY SPEED TO 20 MILES AN HOUR, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE THAT. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
36 reportsI LEFT MY CAR TO GET MY PHONE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION IN PARKING AND DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OPEN. LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR WAS GONE. LOOKING AROUND, I SAW MY CAR AT LEAST 30 YARDS DOWNHILL FROM THE DRIVEWAY LODGED AGAINST AN F450 TRUCK. MY CAR - I ASSUME…
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I LEFT MY CAR TO GET MY PHONE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION IN PARKING AND DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OPEN. LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR WAS GONE. LOOKING AROUND, I SAW MY CAR AT LEAST 30 YARDS DOWNHILL FROM THE DRIVEWAY LODGED AGAINST AN F450 TRUCK. MY CAR - I ASSUME IN PARKING MODE - CLIMBED UP ON THE DRIVEWAY INCLINE, HIT A GARBAGE BIN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, MADE A 180 DEGREE RIGHT TURN, TRAVELING IN REVERSE DIRECTION CRUSHED IN TO THE PARKED TRUCK'S LEFT SIDE FENDER AND BUMPER (THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ON THE ONCOMING SIDE OF THE ROAD).. THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCKS FENDER WAS A SMALL DENT AND SCRAPED OFF PAINT ON THE BUMPER. I FOUND MY CAR'S TRUNK LID SEVERELY DENTED, AND THE REAR BUMPER ALSO DENTED AND SLID TO THE SIDE. THE CRYSTAL OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE. THR DAMAGETO MY CAR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN $3-4,000. PHOTOS OF DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE VSA WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE VSA WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *TR
> ON THURSDAY 07/04/13 MY TRANSMISSION GAVE IN. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CONNECT. THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME OTHERWISE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR CRASH. THERE WAS NO SIGNAL OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME UP.THE CAR HAS 80 K MILES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE L…
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> ON THURSDAY 07/04/13 MY TRANSMISSION GAVE IN. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CONNECT. THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME OTHERWISE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR CRASH. THERE WAS NO SIGNAL OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME UP.THE CAR HAS 80 K MILES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR EVERY THING INCLUDING OIL CHANGES ETC. THE CAR PER THE DEALER WAS DEAMED UN DRIVABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. > THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2005. PURCHASE DATE 11/14/05. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2003 AND 2004 FOR SIMILAR ISSUE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN FREMONT. AUTONATION HONDA. FOR ME THE ISSUE IS ABOUT ME AND MY FAMILY SAFTEY. IN THE CAR WAS MY 5 YEAR OLD SON. >
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
ENGINE NOISE: A VIBRATION AND LOW BUZZING SOUND IN 5TH GEAR CAUSED BY NORMAL ENGINE VIBRATION AT AROUND 1,500 RPM, REQUIRING A VIBRATION DAMPER NEAR THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT. ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL AT NORMAL HIGHWAYS SPEED LIMITS. AND CAUSING TIRES TO CUP AND GET BALD. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON FREEWAY CAUSING ST…
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ENGINE NOISE: A VIBRATION AND LOW BUZZING SOUND IN 5TH GEAR CAUSED BY NORMAL ENGINE VIBRATION AT AROUND 1,500 RPM, REQUIRING A VIBRATION DAMPER NEAR THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT. ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL AT NORMAL HIGHWAYS SPEED LIMITS. AND CAUSING TIRES TO CUP AND GET BALD. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON FREEWAY CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC DUE TO VIBRATION FROM FRONT AND REAR BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND A TROUBLE CODE FOR THE COOLANT SENSOR MAY BE STORED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE GLITCH IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE BRAKES: BRAKE PEDAL MAY FEEL SPONGY OR HAVE EXCESSIVE TRAVEL DUE TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE VSA MODULATOR. (2004-06) TOTAL REPAIR COST SO FAR... ITEM NAME REPAIR COST A/C COMPRESSOR $1,320 ALTERNATOR $780 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OR TRANSAXLE $3,460 BRAKES $1,320 EXHAUST SYSTEM $890 RADIATOR $920 SHOCKS AND/OR STRUTS $3,200 TIMING CHAIN OR BELT $1,050. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE NOTICED A FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE HWY BETWEEN 65-80 MPH. THE ORIGINAL OWNER PUT ON THE VEHICLE NEW TIRES AND NEW BRAKES AT 62,000 MILES. I JUST PUT ON NEW ROTORS AND I EVEN HAD A HIGH SPEED WHEEL BALANCE ON ALL TIRES WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL TH…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE NOTICED A FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE HWY BETWEEN 65-80 MPH. THE ORIGINAL OWNER PUT ON THE VEHICLE NEW TIRES AND NEW BRAKES AT 62,000 MILES. I JUST PUT ON NEW ROTORS AND I EVEN HAD A HIGH SPEED WHEEL BALANCE ON ALL TIRES WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL THE VIBRATION AT 62,500 MILES. WHEN THE VIBRATION STARTS I CALL FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS AND HEAVY IN THE FRONT END. ONCE I START TO SLOW DOWN, THE VIBRATION WILL STOP. *TR
DRIVING NORMAL ON THE HIGHWAY @ ~65MPH, TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO SLIP AND THEN SUFFERS FROM A LOSE OF ALL ACCELERATION POWER, CAR ACTS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Official recalls
519V182000 · 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
1PE07060 · 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.
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