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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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62,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Structure

2005 ACURA TL. LARGE CRACK ON DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. EVENTHOUGH I NOTICED AFTER 62K MILES, WILL CONTACT ACURA BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH TLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350346

45,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED ALONG THE FULL RIGHT EDGE OF THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT, WHICH PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED OR NEEDS TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349116

83,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Structure

FACTORY DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A 12 INCH CRACK OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AT 5 YEARS, 83,000 MILES. CRACK APPEARED SUDDENLY AS OPPOSED TO A SLOW PROGRESSION. NOT USED ANY CLEANING PRODUCTS BUT WAS EXPOSED TO HEAT AND SUN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OF SOUTH FLORIDA. CAR IS NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY HOWEVER ACURA DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED T…

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FACTORY DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A 12 INCH CRACK OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AT 5 YEARS, 83,000 MILES. CRACK APPEARED SUDDENLY AS OPPOSED TO A SLOW PROGRESSION. NOT USED ANY CLEANING PRODUCTS BUT WAS EXPOSED TO HEAT AND SUN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OF SOUTH FLORIDA. CAR IS NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY HOWEVER ACURA DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAVE OBSERVED THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER TLS AND THE COMPANY WAS OFFERING A "GOOD WILL" WHERE CUSTOMERS WOULD PAY BETWEEN $250 AND $500 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DASHBOARD WHILE ACURA HEADQUARTERS WOULD COVER THE REST. THE ACTUAL AMOUNT TO BE PAID BY THE OWNER IS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER AND THE FINAL AMOUNT IS DECIDED BY ACURA HEADQUARTERS. TOTAL COST OF THE JOB IS APPROXIMATELY $1,700. ACURA ACCEPTED A GOOD WILL FOR MY VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $250, WHICH WAS MY INITIAL OFFER, AND REPAIRED THE DASH IN 3 DAYS WHILE PROVIDING A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE REPAIR AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347838

108,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Air BagsStructure

JUST NOTICED CRACKS IN DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL. I FIGURED MAYBE IT WAS FROM THE HEAT, WITH LIVING IN FLORIDA. WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS HAD COMPLAINTS. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS FROM 2004-2005 ACURA TL OWNERS COMPLAINING OF CRACKS IN THE SAME EXACT AREA AS MINE. THERE IS ONE RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR BAG, WHICH I BELIEVE COULD…

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JUST NOTICED CRACKS IN DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL. I FIGURED MAYBE IT WAS FROM THE HEAT, WITH LIVING IN FLORIDA. WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS HAD COMPLAINTS. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS FROM 2004-2005 ACURA TL OWNERS COMPLAINING OF CRACKS IN THE SAME EXACT AREA AS MINE. THERE IS ONE RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR BAG, WHICH I BELIEVE COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG. THE OTHER STARTS FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE AT THE DASH AND IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DRIVER DASH AREA AND AROUND THAT CONSOLE. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY MADE A NOTE, BUT JUST TOLD ME TO CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345861

104,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Air BagsStructure

SIGNIFICANT CRACK IN DASHBOARD WHERE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED. STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK BUT PROPAGATED TO OVER 1 FT LENGTH WITHIN 48 HOURS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE FOR MANY ACURA TL 2004-2005 MODELS (AND POSSIBLY OTHER YEARS). FEAR IS IT COULD POSE AN AIRBAG SAFETY HAZARD BY AFFECTING THE INTEGRITY AND PERFORMANC…

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SIGNIFICANT CRACK IN DASHBOARD WHERE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED. STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK BUT PROPAGATED TO OVER 1 FT LENGTH WITHIN 48 HOURS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE FOR MANY ACURA TL 2004-2005 MODELS (AND POSSIBLY OTHER YEARS). FEAR IS IT COULD POSE AN AIRBAG SAFETY HAZARD BY AFFECTING THE INTEGRITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343911

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2010
Air BagsStructure

2005 ACURA TL DASHBOARD CRACKS ALL OVER PASSENGER AIRBAG. STARTED AS ONE SMALL CRACK TO HAVING 8 LARGE CRACKS. AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY AT ANYTIME AS THE CRACKS GET WORSE AND WORSE PUTTING MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX CRACK AND IT WILL COST $1000 + TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343532

51,700 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Air BagsStructure

I OWN AN ACURA TL 3.2 2005 WITH 51,700 MILES. THIS MORNING MY DASHBOARD CRACKED IN 5 DIFFERENT PLACES FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR VANDALISM INVOLVED. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS I DO NOT KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING AND THE DASHBOARD CRACKING AND DEBRIS CAUSING INJURY. CALLED ACURA CORPORATE AND…

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I OWN AN ACURA TL 3.2 2005 WITH 51,700 MILES. THIS MORNING MY DASHBOARD CRACKED IN 5 DIFFERENT PLACES FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR VANDALISM INVOLVED. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS I DO NOT KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING AND THE DASHBOARD CRACKING AND DEBRIS CAUSING INJURY. CALLED ACURA CORPORATE AND THEY CLAIM IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN VARIOUS INTERNET SITES SUCH AS FACEBOOK) ACURA PRIDES THEMSELVES ON CAR SAFETY BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343267

43,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD ON MY 2005 ACURA HAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES, ONE RIGHT OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO ACURA, BUT THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341431

64,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Structure

MY 2005 ACURA TL'S DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES CONSISTENT WITH THE SAME CRACKS ON '04 MODELS. THE CRACKS GO RIGHT AROUND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I'M CONCERNED IT'S GOING TO WEAKEN THE SEAMS ON THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE CRACKS BEGAN LAST SUMMER ('09) AND CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THE LOCAL…

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MY 2005 ACURA TL'S DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES CONSISTENT WITH THE SAME CRACKS ON '04 MODELS. THE CRACKS GO RIGHT AROUND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I'M CONCERNED IT'S GOING TO WEAKEN THE SEAMS ON THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE CRACKS BEGAN LAST SUMMER ('09) AND CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SIMPLY DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT POOR QUALITY GOODS AS THE REASON TO REPLACE. THE CRACKS ARE IDENTICAL TO MANY AS SEEN ON WEB MESSAGE BOARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339605

43,880 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS THAT HAVE APPEARED OVERNIGHT, ONE IS BY THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG AND IS PRETTY LARGE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE CUPHOLDERS JUST BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT. NOTHING FORCEFUL , JUST TRIED TO CLOSE IT IN A REGULAR MANNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335412

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.