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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.

About this comparison →

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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100,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED ON SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING ONE LARGE CRACK OVER THE PASSANGER'S AIRBAG. I'M CONCERNED THAT AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AS A RESULT OR THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682092

40,000 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Air BagsStructure

VEHICLE PRESENTED CRACKS AROUND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LATER ON ALSO ALL AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG. FEW MONTHS LATER, VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING CONTINUOUSLY THE AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT ONCE MOTORIST'S SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED. UNSURE IF AIRBAGS WORK WITH WARNING LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680054

48,671 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Structure

I'D 2005 TL, YES WAS JUST TURN 10 YRS . MY DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. I HARDLY HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT. DEALER CORPORATE DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH ME. IT'S NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH CRACKING DASHBOARD. NEXT THING SOMEONE TOLD ME I MIGHT HAD DEFECTS DASHBOARD. ANYHOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678603

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2015
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING ALL OVER REALLY BAD. SOME CRACKS ARE VERY BIG. SEEMS LIKE THE AIR BAG COULD COME OUT ANY TIME. IT'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NEED TO BE FIXED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676363

120,000 miles · Jan 1, 2015
Structure

LIKE MANY OTHERS ON THIS COMPLAINT WEBSITE, MY DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE SPONTANEOUS BREAKDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD. ON A CAR AS NICE AS THE ACURA, I'M SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, GIVEN HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. I AM THIN…

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LIKE MANY OTHERS ON THIS COMPLAINT WEBSITE, MY DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE SPONTANEOUS BREAKDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD. ON A CAR AS NICE AS THE ACURA, I'M SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, GIVEN HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. I AM THINKING ABOUT A NEW CAR, AND WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT ANOTHER ACURA NOW. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669467

65,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Structure

THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING MY TL BRAND NEW I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. MY ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKS ON IT. IT WOULD MAYBE MAKE SENSE IF MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT IS IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE ELEMENTS CANNOT GET TO IT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESE…

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THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING MY TL BRAND NEW I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. MY ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKS ON IT. IT WOULD MAYBE MAKE SENSE IF MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT IS IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE ELEMENTS CANNOT GET TO IT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO. WHEN I PAY $40,000 FOR A CAR I DO NOT EXPECT THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN REMEDY THE SITUATION. SO, IF YOU CAN GIVE ME ANY IDEAS THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I SEE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON PROBLEM AND ONE THAT ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE. I WILL DEFINITELY NOT BUY ANOTHER ACURA IF THIS IS THE CASE. I TRULY THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A SUPERIOR PRODUCT WHEN I PURCHASED THE TL BUT IT TURNS OUT I WAS WRONG. IF THEY WANT YOU COMPARE THEMSELVES TO BMW AND LEXUS, THEN THEY BETTER STEP UP THEIR GAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667139

63,500 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH BOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR FEW DAYS BEFORE I USED IT WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. I GOT COURAGE TO REPORT IT HERE AFTER I SEEING OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663733

70,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Air BagsStructure

2005 ACURA TL DASHBOARD HAS PRACTICALLY SPILT WIDE OPEN DIRECTLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT CRACKS VERTICALLY, AS WELL AS HORIZONTALLY, RIGHT OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHEN THERE IS NOT A CRASH, OR IF THE AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY DURING A CRASH T…

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2005 ACURA TL DASHBOARD HAS PRACTICALLY SPILT WIDE OPEN DIRECTLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT CRACKS VERTICALLY, AS WELL AS HORIZONTALLY, RIGHT OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHEN THERE IS NOT A CRASH, OR IF THE AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY DURING A CRASH THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG MAY MAKE IT COME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE DASH INSTEAD OF THE FRONT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND ACURA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD CONSTITUTE A RECALL OF THE DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660890

67,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXPERIENCED CRACKING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES NEAR THE LOCATION OF THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659207

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY ACURA TL HAS DASHBOARD DEFECTIVE WITH CRACKS AROUND AIRBAG SECTION AND SPREADING CONSISTENTLY ALL AROUND. IT REALLY LOOKS UGLY. I'M AFRAID ONE DAY THE AIRBAG WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPEN SUDDENLY AND ITS SPREADING ERRATICALLY. I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON WHEN DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER. HALF OF THE DASHBOAR…

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MY ACURA TL HAS DASHBOARD DEFECTIVE WITH CRACKS AROUND AIRBAG SECTION AND SPREADING CONSISTENTLY ALL AROUND. IT REALLY LOOKS UGLY. I'M AFRAID ONE DAY THE AIRBAG WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPEN SUDDENLY AND ITS SPREADING ERRATICALLY. I ALSO HAVE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON WHEN DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER. HALF OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS NOW NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. HONDA/ACURA SHALL ACT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND TOOK GOOD CARE IT. THEIR RESPOND TO THIS DASHBOARD PROBLEMS WILL MAKE ME AND OTHERS RE-THINK BUYING ANY ACURA/HONDA FUTURE VEHICLES. THIS IS DASHBOARD CONDITION IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654885

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.