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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
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

45,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Structure

CRACK TO THE DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL ALSO THE COVER OF GEAR SHIFT BOX IS CRACKED AND MAKES SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS HARD OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334471

80,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN DAYS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN DAYS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO CENTER; THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326878

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2010
Electrical System

2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE BETWEEN A CELL PHONE AND THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL DUE TO AN INCIDENT WHILE BACKING UP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO A TIGHT PARKING SPACE, HE HAD HIS CELL PHONE ON THE TRANSMISSION LEVER OVER THE METAL TOP COVER, POSSIBLY ACTING LIKE AN AN…

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2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE BETWEEN A CELL PHONE AND THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL DUE TO AN INCIDENT WHILE BACKING UP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO A TIGHT PARKING SPACE, HE HAD HIS CELL PHONE ON THE TRANSMISSION LEVER OVER THE METAL TOP COVER, POSSIBLY ACTING LIKE AN ANTENNA. WHEN HE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, HE WENT IN THE REAR DIRECTION FIRST, THEN WENT FORWARD AND BACKWARD AGAIN. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE'S RPM REVVED TO MAYBE 4,000-5,000, THEN A STRANGE NOISE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN. HE PICKED UP HIS CELL PHONE AND TURNED IT OFF AND PLACED IT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE ENGINE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10326368

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

THE CAR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED EITHER WITH KEYS OR MANUAL BUTTON. THE DRIVER WAS LOCKED INSIDE AND CANNOT GET OUT. POLICE HAD TO BE CALLED. EVEN WITH THE POLICE ASSISTANCE, THE CAR STILL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVE WAS ABSOLUTELY TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10323555

90,000 miles · Apr 2, 2010
Unknown Or Other

CRACKED DASHBOARD ON ACURA TL 2005. THE WHOLE PANEL IS CRACKING, I BELIEVE IT MAY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSING AN INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10323547

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2010
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL IN 2008 FROM AN ACUAR DEALERSHIP. ONE YEAR LATER THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR AROUND THE AIR BAG. THE CRAKCS STARTED ABOUT ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG AND ARE NOW A WEEK LATER ABOUT A 12 INCHES LONG.

NHTSA ODI #10322486

44,500 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS SOFT BRAKES WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT JUST BLEEDS THE BRAKES HIMSELF. THE ACURA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE FAIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS SOFT BRAKES WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT JUST BLEEDS THE BRAKES HIMSELF. THE ACURA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10320228

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.