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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
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

76,000 miles · Oct 7, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10429093

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2011
Air BagsCrash

I REAR ENDED SOMEONE WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAY. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD SLOWED DOWN AFTER NOTICING THAT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HER HAD SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES. I WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND DID NOT NOTICE THE CAR IN FRONT HAD SLOWED DOWN/STOPPED AND I REAR-ENDED HER. HER CAR HAD A LOT OF REAR …

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I REAR ENDED SOMEONE WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAY. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD SLOWED DOWN AFTER NOTICING THAT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HER HAD SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES. I WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND DID NOT NOTICE THE CAR IN FRONT HAD SLOWED DOWN/STOPPED AND I REAR-ENDED HER. HER CAR HAD A LOT OF REAR BUMPER DAMAGE. MY CAR SUSTAINED THE BRUNT OF THE FORCE AND WAS DAMAGED IN THE FRONT. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHILE MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. THIS ACCIDENT, THANKFULLY, WAS NOT FATAL, HOWEVER COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN. THIS HAPPENED ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY WITH CARS TRAVELING AT LEAST 65 MPH. IT ALSO HAPPENED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER A SLIGHT TURN IN THE FREEWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CARS TO NOTICE AN ACCIDENT IN TIME TO STOP. MY CAR COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COLLISION. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ANYMORE (EVEN AFTER IT'S FIXED) BECAUSE I VIEW THAT CAR AS A LOADED GUN AND I'M PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE. IT'S MY PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND WE USE THIS CAR FOR ANY TRAVELING WE DO. MY SON IS MOSTLY IN MY CAR (SCHOOL, ETC.). I WANTED TO REPORT THIS SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS AND, GOD FORBID, BE FATAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE INCIDENCES SO NO UNNECESSARY CONSEQUENCES OCCUR AS A RESULT OF FAULTY AIRBAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428332

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

60,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Air BagsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,100.

NHTSA ODI #10425084

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2011
Structure

2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DASHBOARD SPLIT REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE SEVEN JAGGED CRACKS; STARTING WITH THE MOST SEVERE WHICH ARE OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ENDING AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10424853

95,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 ACURA TL, AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, INCLUDING AREAS AROUND THE AIRBAG. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR MY SAFETY AND I KNOW THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO SOLUTION AS OF YET. I DONT SEE HOW THERE HASNT BEEN A RECALL ON A PART THAT IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS IF THE AIRBAGS EVER DEPL…

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I HAVE A 2005 ACURA TL, AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, INCLUDING AREAS AROUND THE AIRBAG. THIS CONCERNS ME FOR MY SAFETY AND I KNOW THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO SOLUTION AS OF YET. I DONT SEE HOW THERE HASNT BEEN A RECALL ON A PART THAT IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS IF THE AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420132

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.