2009 Acura TL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 42 complaints (45.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Air Bags: 19; Power Train: 5; Visibility: 5; Electrical System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 16; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10937185 · 2016-12-23 (December 23, 2016)
GROWLING AND VIBRATION FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING 35-40 MPH. WAS TOLD IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN. HAVE HAD IT REPLACED TWICE NOW, GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER LAST NIGHT AND IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW (REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE AND UPDATED SOFTWARE TWICE.) IT'S HAPPENING LIKE CLOCK WORK - EVERY 2 YEARS THE ISSUE RESURFACES.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10978653 · 2017-04-15 (April 15, 2017)
MY 2009 ACURA TL STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CAN BE PULLING OUT FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, PULLING OFF AFTER PAUSING AT A STOP SIGN, CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, OR JUST SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR A CITY STREET. MY CAR CAN HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS OR LESS THAN HALF OF A TANK OF GAS, IT CAN BE COLD OR HOT OUTSIDE, IT CAN BE THE FIRST TIME I MOVE MY CAR FOR THE DAY OR THE TENTH TIME, ETC. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE EXACT ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM GROWING MORE AND MORE CONCERNED THAT THIS STALLING COULD PLACE ME IN IMM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10978653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316266 · 2010-03-03 (March 3, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2009 ACURA TL THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN CT AT ABOUT 6:00 PM ON FEB 17TH. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HILL IN MY HOMETOWN THAT I HAVE DRIVEN ON LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES. I KNOW THE HILL IS FAIRLY STEEP SO I WAS GOING VERY SLOW (ABOUT 10 MPH) AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL THE ROAD CURVES TO THE LEFT. AS I APPROACHED THE TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE AND I SLID INTO THE GUARDRAIL DOING ONLY MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FROM BUMPER AND FENDER. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE BEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317976 · 2010-03-09 (March 9, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 ACURA TL WITH 10,000 MILES ON IT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR I SIDESWIPED A GUARDRAIL CAUSING MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEVAN ACURA IN NORWALK CT. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO THE ENGINEERS FROM HONDA WERE CALLED. THEY DISASSEMBLED THE STEERING SYSTEM PART BY PART. THE PARTS WERE SENT OUT TO CALIFORNIA TO THE HONDA ENGINEERS. AFTER "CAREFUL INSPECTION" THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PARTS. THEY ARE SAYING THE STEERING WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10957814 · 2017-03-01 (March 1, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBY AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10957814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196963 · 2019-04-17 (April 17, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11196963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504865 · 2023-02-01 (February 1, 2023)
Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11504865 at NHTSA ↗