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2008 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Acura Tl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

124 reports
89,200 miles · Dec 26, 2014
Air BagsStructure

12" VERTICAL CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME NATURE ON THE INTERNET AND ONE HERE, HERE IS THE COMPLAINT FOUND HERE: MY 2008 TL DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN AUGUST OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. NOW IN SEPTEMBER THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 LENGTHY CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD. ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN F…

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12" VERTICAL CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME NATURE ON THE INTERNET AND ONE HERE, HERE IS THE COMPLAINT FOUND HERE: MY 2008 TL DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN AUGUST OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. NOW IN SEPTEMBER THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 LENGTHY CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD. ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN FL. I PARK IN A COVERED GARAGE EVERY DAY FOR WORK FROM 10 AM TO 6:30 PM. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2001 TL AND NEVER HAD THE DASH CRACK IN THE 7 YEARS OWNED. I FEEL THAT THE CRACKING DASHBOARD IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY ACURA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668302

Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2014
Equipment

2008 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES BLUETOOTH MODULE STOPPED WORKING. *TA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG, UNLESS THEY TOOK THE UNIT APART, A COST OF $125.00.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10661701

45,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical System

BLUETOOTH MODULE FAILED AND REMAINS INOPERABLE. A LOOK ONLINE SHOWED THAT MANY OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAVE HAD BLUETOOTH FAILURES AND AT FAR HIGHER RATES THAN OTHER CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643755

60,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Structure

MY 2008 TL DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN AUGUST OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. NOW IN SEPTEMBER THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 LENGTHY CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD. ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN FL. I PARK IN A COVERED GARAGE EVERY DAY FOR WORK FROM 10 AM TO 6:30 PM. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2001 TL AND NEVER HAD THE DASH CRACK IN THE 7 YEARS OWN…

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MY 2008 TL DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN AUGUST OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. NOW IN SEPTEMBER THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 LENGTHY CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD. ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN FL. I PARK IN A COVERED GARAGE EVERY DAY FOR WORK FROM 10 AM TO 6:30 PM. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2001 TL AND NEVER HAD THE DASH CRACK IN THE 7 YEARS OWNED. I FEEL THAT THE CRACKING DASHBOARD IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY ACURA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638835

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING GEAR GETS STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT TAKES MANY ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT GEAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. GEAR GETS STUCK SO BAD IT IS CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE IT INTO DRIVE OR PARKING POSITION. I'VE HAD OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PAST, OLDER THAN THIS ONE, YET NE…

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING GEAR GETS STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT TAKES MANY ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT GEAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. GEAR GETS STUCK SO BAD IT IS CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE IT INTO DRIVE OR PARKING POSITION. I'VE HAD OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PAST, OLDER THAN THIS ONE, YET NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN STALL IN TRAFFIC AND CAN GET HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE I'M TRYING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628845

88,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
StructureSuspension

ON 08/24/2014, FEW MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LOCAL INTERSECTION W/ SPEED < 10 MPH, SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD METALLIC NOISE, N I FELT MY CAR HAD DROPPED A BIT. MY CAR STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET, N COULD'T MOVE AT ALL. LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SEVERED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL IS TILTED…

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ON 08/24/2014, FEW MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LOCAL INTERSECTION W/ SPEED < 10 MPH, SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD METALLIC NOISE, N I FELT MY CAR HAD DROPPED A BIT. MY CAR STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET, N COULD'T MOVE AT ALL. LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SEVERED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL IS TILTED OUTWARD AT A 60 DEGREE ANGLE. RIGHT FRONT AXAL GOT PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION. CAR BODY DAMAGED BECAUSE ALL THE UNSUPPORTED WEIGHT PLACED ON TILTED WHEEL. THERE'RE WITNESSES, AND MY MOM IS W/ ME AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. HAD AAA TOWED IT TO THE SHOP AND SINCE IT WAS CLOSED ON SUNDAY, I HAD TO WAIT TILL MONDAY TO CALL THEM FOR QUOTES. I WAS GONNA HAVE MY INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF IT, BUT FIGURED THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME, I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG, N THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I DID ALMOST ALL A1B1 SERVICES AT ACURA DEALER AND MOSTLY THOMAS ACURA LOCATED IN COVINA. I WAS THERE FOR SERVICE ON JULY 16TH, 2014, N THE REPORT THEY GAVE ME NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT BALL JOINT. I CALLED THOMAS ACURA ON MONDAY, 08/25/2014 REGARDING THE INCIDENT, THE GUY NAME [XXX] WANTED ME TO BRING IN THE CAR SO THEY CAN INSPECT IT SO THEY CAN DETERMINED WHO'S AT FAULT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HINTING ME THERE'S MUST BE SOME SORTS OF IMPACT CAUSING THIS. I TOLD HIM THERE'S NOTHING ON THE STREET, AND NO OTHER PARTY/CAR HAS HIT MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED FROM THE SHOP TO THE DEALER N LET THEM INSPECT IT. I ALSO SENT ACURA NORTH AMERICA AN EMAIL AND STATED THE INCIDENT. THE GUY NAME [XXX] FROM THOMAS ACURA CALLED ME BACK ON 08/26/14, N TOLD ME THAT THERE'S AN IMPACT, N I BETTER HAVE INSURANCE INFO READY. I AM PRETTY SURE ACURA N AMERICA IS GONNA TAKE THEIR SIDE. THERE MUST BE SOME SORTS OF DEFECTS BUT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. MY FAMILY COULD BE DEAD IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628634

62,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
SeatsStructure

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, A 2008 ACURA TL, IN FEBRUARY OF 2012 IN SOUTH FLORIDA. BY APRIL OF 2013 THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEATHER WAS COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND HAD NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. ACURA "MADE A DEAL WITH ME AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY," AND I HAD TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THEM…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, A 2008 ACURA TL, IN FEBRUARY OF 2012 IN SOUTH FLORIDA. BY APRIL OF 2013 THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEATHER WAS COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND HAD NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. ACURA "MADE A DEAL WITH ME AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY," AND I HAD TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THEM TO FIX THE SEAT. WITHIN FIVE (5) MONTHS OF THAT, THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BEGAN TO COME APART AS WELL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT WAS VERY RARE FOR ME TO HAVE ANY PASSENGERS WITH ME. WHEN I WAS CLEANING THE CAR, I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ACURA AND THEY, AFTER TAKING PICTURES AND CONTACTING THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE ,ACURA TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SEAT IN IT'S ENTIRETY AND HALF OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. THEY SAID DASHBOARDS CRACK IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR PART OF THE REPLACEMENT AND THE SEAT WAS OLD AND WAS NORMAL WEAR. AGAIN, RARELY DID ANYONE RIDE WITH ME IN MY CAR. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO PEMBROKE PINES ACURA TO HAVE IT EXAMINED, THEY SAID THE CENTER CONSOLE COVER WAS ALSO BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--TOTALLY AT MY COST. I HAVE LIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA MY ENTIRE LIFE AND THE LAST CAR I OWNED THAT HAD A DASHBOARD CRACK WAS BACK IN THE 1970'S. WITH BOTH FRONT SEATS COMING APART AND THE DASHBOARD CRACKING, IT IS MY OPINION THAT THERE WAS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED ON THIS CAR. I DO HAVE E-MAILS DOCUMENTING ALL THIS TO AND FROM ACURA DATED NOVEMBER OF 2013 TO BACK UP WHAT IS STATED HEREIN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617424

102,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STABILITY ASSISTANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. A MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STABILITY ASSISTANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. A MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610427

82,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Structure

TO WHOM CONCERN : DASHBOARD PASSENGER SIDE SUDDENLY CRACKED OVER THE AIR BAG, DURING THE DAY , TEMPERATURE AT 98 AT THIS DAY. ACURA NOTIFIED ;HOWEVER THEY DO NOT REPLACE IT EVEN THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. THE CAR HAS 82000 MILES ,WARRANTY COVERS UNTIL 100000 OR FIVE YEARS. AS I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT C/O ABOUT IT , WE NEED…

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TO WHOM CONCERN : DASHBOARD PASSENGER SIDE SUDDENLY CRACKED OVER THE AIR BAG, DURING THE DAY , TEMPERATURE AT 98 AT THIS DAY. ACURA NOTIFIED ;HOWEVER THEY DO NOT REPLACE IT EVEN THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. THE CAR HAS 82000 MILES ,WARRANTY COVERS UNTIL 100000 OR FIVE YEARS. AS I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT C/O ABOUT IT , WE NEED ACURA STEPS ON IT AND GIVE TO US ANSWERS AND REPLACE IT. I HOPE NHTSA ADVOCATE FOR US . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605768

79,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Air BagsStructure

I OWN A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S AND THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER CAR IT COMPLETELY CRACKED. IT HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT ACURA DEALERSHIPS AND I TAKE EXTREMELY CARE OF THE CAR. I ALWAYS USE A SUNSHADE AND THE OFFICIAL ACURA TL'S CAR COVER TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN. I NOTICE THE INITIAL CRACKING ON APRIL 25TH, AND IT WAS ABOUT 6-…

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I OWN A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S AND THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER CAR IT COMPLETELY CRACKED. IT HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT ACURA DEALERSHIPS AND I TAKE EXTREMELY CARE OF THE CAR. I ALWAYS USE A SUNSHADE AND THE OFFICIAL ACURA TL'S CAR COVER TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN. I NOTICE THE INITIAL CRACKING ON APRIL 25TH, AND IT WAS ABOUT 6-INCHES LONG RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 79,000 MILES. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EVIDENT DEFECTIVE PART. IT TOOK THEM A MONTH TO GET BACK TO ME WITH A NEGATIVE ANSWER. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT WILL NOT AFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO PAY $1,600.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, NO CHECKS OR STUDIES WERE DONE TO THE CAR TO DETERMINE THIS. I DID MY RESEARCH ONLINE, AND THIS HAPPENS TO HUNDREDS OF ACURA TLS. THEREFORE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS ARE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE PAYING FOR A PRODUCT SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A FEW YEARS LATER, DUE TO LACK OF QUALITY OF THAT "PREMIUM" PRODUCT. I WOULD THINK THAT AFTER GM'S RECENT LAWSUIT REGARDING A SMALL IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH HAS CAUSED DEATH TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, ACURA WOULD TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT THEIR CRACKED DASHBOARDS ALONG THE AIRBAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597298

Official recalls

2

12V222000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

May 17, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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).

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.