IllustrationTHE 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
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
220–25K
2825–50K
5450–75K
5675–100K
76100–150K
41150K+
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
What owners actually said
388 reportsVEHICLE 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
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
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
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
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
THE CAR IS BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS BATTERIES. INTERNET RESEARCH PROVED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WI…
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THE CAR IS BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS BATTERIES. INTERNET RESEARCH PROVED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH HANDS FREE SYSTEM AND ACURA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR LONG BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
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
FOUND A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD OVER THE ODOMETER. CAR WAS PARKED WAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. *JS
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
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.