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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

Structure complaints

156 reports
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70,000 miles · Jan 12, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD REGION SURROUNDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD REGION SURROUNDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10443570

776,800 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Air BagsStructure

MY ACURA 2005 TL FORMED GIANT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD OVERNIGHT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAGS DUE TO THESE CRACKS, MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE CRACKS ONLY GET WORSE AND APPEAR ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IF THE DASH IS NOT REPLACED. PLEASE SEE THE FACEBOO…

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MY ACURA 2005 TL FORMED GIANT CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD OVERNIGHT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAGS DUE TO THESE CRACKS, MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE CRACKS ONLY GET WORSE AND APPEAR ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IF THE DASH IS NOT REPLACED. PLEASE SEE THE FACEBOOK PAGE DEVOTED TO THIS PROBLEM (PHOTOS INCLUDED): HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ACURATLDEFECTIVEDASH?SK=WALL&FILTER=1 ACURA IS NOT RECOGNIZING THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT. I THINK THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT AND MAKE AN OFFICIAL RECALL AND REPLACE THIS FOR FREE. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ANY OF MY PASSENGERS DUE TO THE CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD I AM HOLDING ACURA RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442278

97,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ENTIRELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER TO GET A GOOD WILL FAVOR TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ENTIRELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER TO GET A GOOD WILL FAVOR TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE CONTACT WHO ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10440014

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2011
Air BagsStructure

I OWN A 2005 ACURA TL AND NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A COSMETIC DEFECT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. NOW OVER THE PAST MONTH THERE ARE CRACKS EVERYWHERE AND ACURA STILL WON'T HELP BECAUSE IT'…

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I OWN A 2005 ACURA TL AND NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A COSMETIC DEFECT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. NOW OVER THE PAST MONTH THERE ARE CRACKS EVERYWHERE AND ACURA STILL WON'T HELP BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF NEEDED AND I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY DEPLOY WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I'M NOT PROTECTED FROM AN ACCIDENT AND THIS DEFECT COULD ALSO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SERIOUS HARM TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437700

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2011
Structure

MY DASHBOARD IS CRACK RIGHT THROUGH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF IT DEPLOYS, I'M WORRIED THAT PIECES FROM THE DASHBOARD WILL INJURE SOMEBODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433829

95,000 miles · Oct 17, 2011
Structure

I HAVE CRACKS ALL OVER MY DASHBOARD. ACURA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY MANY ACURA TL OWNERS OUT THERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRACK DASH BOAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430519

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2011
Structure

DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN ABOUT 9 DIFFERENT PLACES. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND ACURA HAS OFFERED A GOODWILL OFFER WHICH IS MINIMAL IN THE COST TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED. THIS LEADS TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429325

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2011
Structure

MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRASH ALL OVER A FEW MONTHS AGO. I'M USING A SHADE, AND USE PROTECTION OFTEN AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORST. I THINK THAT THE DASH BOARD WAS POORLY MADE. I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE I SPEND ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428848

90,000 miles · Sep 27, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE FRACTURE ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH STARTED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND WENT THROUGH THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT, DOWN TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE FRACTURE ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH STARTED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND WENT THROUGH THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT, DOWN TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10427651

75,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Structure

CRACK STARTED ON PASSENGER AIRBAG IN THE DASHBOARD. NOW IT HAS SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT THE DASH AND I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE CAR DUE TO THE CRACKS WHICH HAVE FORMED ALONG THE AIRBAG. HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426433

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.