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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

What owners actually said

388 reports
142,000 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED HAIRLINE FRACTURES THAT BEGAN AT THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE AIR BAG AND GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED HAIRLINE FRACTURES THAT BEGAN AT THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE AIR BAG AND GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10508771

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, TO DETERMINE WHY IT WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE ON ITS OWN AND LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, BRAKED HARSHLY AND THE THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS NEARLY NON-EXISTENT. THE…

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2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, TO DETERMINE WHY IT WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE ON ITS OWN AND LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, BRAKED HARSHLY AND THE THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS NEARLY NON-EXISTENT. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER, RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND DECIDED TO REPLACE A BRAKE SWITCH. WHILE RETURNING FROM THE DEALER, THE VSA LIGHT ONCE AGAIN ACTIVATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10508021

140,528 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Structure

MULTIPLE CRACKS LARGE AND SMALL SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. THE AFFECTED PARTS SECTION WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER DASHBOARD AS THE ISSUE, THEREFORE I PUT BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501061

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2013
Structure

THE DASH ON MY 2005 ACURA TL STARTED CRACKING VERY SEVERELY-I CURRENTLY HAVE A SIZEABLE CRACK ON THE SEAM OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ON A CAR. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS I WONDER HOW THESE CRACKS IMPACT MY AIR BAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493783

92,820 miles · Dec 10, 2012
Structure

THE DASH ON MY 2005 ACURA TL STARTED CRACKING VERY SEVERELY-I CURRENTLY HAVE 4 SIZEABLE CRACKS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ON A CAR PRIOR IN MY 25 YEARS OF OWNING THEM. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS I WONDER HOW THESE CRACKS IMPACT MY AIR BAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487889

190,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S DESTINATION AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S DESTINATION AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V097000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10485140

89,444 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR (AP SENSOR) SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE ALL PROPULSION, AS THE ENGINE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO IDLE. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR GET REAR ENDED, AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO RAPIDLY …

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ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR (AP SENSOR) SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE ALL PROPULSION, AS THE ENGINE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO IDLE. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR GET REAR ENDED, AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO RAPIDLY MOVING TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED AS IT TRIED TO ASCERTAIN WHAT GEAR IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO COAST OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING WHATSOEVER THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND DEALER MAINTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484629

131,000 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 ACURA TL AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I GOOGLED IT AND DISCOVERED SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SOMEONE POSTED A LINK TO THIS SITE SO HERE I AM. CAN WE GET THIS RECALLED PLEASE? IT'S NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE. FOR THE PRICE I PAID FOR THIS CAR I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WOR…

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I HAVE A 2005 ACURA TL AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I GOOGLED IT AND DISCOVERED SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SOMEONE POSTED A LINK TO THIS SITE SO HERE I AM. CAN WE GET THIS RECALLED PLEASE? IT'S NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE. FOR THE PRICE I PAID FOR THIS CAR I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480032

160,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Air BagsStructure

CRACKS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD ABOVE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS CLAIMS THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AS AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE 2009. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VEHICLE. QUOTE TO FIX THIS "BLEMISH" IS OVER 2K. ACURA WILL ONLY PAY 50% I MUST PAY THE OTHER $1000. I B…

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CRACKS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD ABOVE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS CLAIMS THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AS AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE 2009. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VEHICLE. QUOTE TO FIX THIS "BLEMISH" IS OVER 2K. ACURA WILL ONLY PAY 50% I MUST PAY THE OTHER $1000. I BELIEVE ACURA SHOULD HAVE THIS REPLACED. AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF. HOPING THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479772

98,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Air BagsStructure

CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL. LOCATED ALONG EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (OUTLINING RIGHT SIDE OF AIRBAG) AND ABOVE STEERING COLUMN. CONCERNED THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY, OR WILL CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT IT DOES DEPLOY. GARAGE KEPT, APX 98K MILES WHEN FIRST CRACK APPEARED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479594

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.