Acura TL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3,087 owner complaints analyzed
25 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2014 model years. Data snapshot: . 2,116 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 728 of 3,087 complaints (23.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 827 | 26.8% |
| Steering behavior | 257 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 213 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 149 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 112 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 0.4% |
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 | 728 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 582 |
| Structure | 367 |
| Power Train | 281 |
| Unknown Or Other | 240 |
| Electrical System | 200 |
| Steering | 194 |
| Structure:Body | 156 |
Air Bags: 728; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 582; Structure: 367; Power Train: 281; Unknown Or Other: 240; Electrical System: 200; Steering: 194; Structure:Body: 156
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 241 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 268 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 386 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 405 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 566 |
| 150,000 and above | 250 |
Under 25,000: 241; 25,000 to 49,999: 268; 50,000 to 74,999: 386; 75,000 to 99,999: 405; 100,000 to 149,999: 566; 150,000 and above: 250
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (566). 971 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2002 | 129 |
| 2003 | 119 |
| 2004 | 190 |
| 2005 | 140 |
| 2006 | 82 |
| 2007 | 81 |
| 2008 | 114 |
| 2009 | 113 |
| 2010 | 252 |
| 2011 | 208 |
| 2012 | 162 |
| 2013 | 148 |
| 2014 | 205 |
| 2015 | 190 |
| 2016 | 264 |
| 2017 | 151 |
| 2018 | 120 |
| 2019 | 116 |
| 2020 | 103 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2000: 29; 2001: 26; 2002: 129; 2003: 119; 2004: 190; 2005: 140; 2006: 82; 2007: 81; 2008: 114; 2009: 113; 2010: 252; 2011: 208; 2012: 162; 2013: 148; 2014: 205; 2015: 190; 2016: 264; 2017: 151; 2018: 120; 2019: 116; 2020: 103; 2021: 41; 2022: 38; 2023: 23; 2024: 15; 2025: 18; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 827 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 257 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 213 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 10135757 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
THE PROBLEM IS: AT CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF RPM AND SPEED, THE ENGINE LABORS. IT CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS, WHICH CONTINUE UNTIL EITHER THE SPEED OR RPM IS CHANGED. IT IS NOT RELATED TO TRAVELING UP OR DOWN AN INCLINE. TAKEN TO ACURA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BUT NOTED THAT IT SHIFTED HARD ON 1-2 UPSHIFT AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS DID NOT FIX THE VIBRATION. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN FOR SAME PROBLEM THEY STATED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED FRONT BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200900 · 2007-08-27 (August 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A DEAD BATTERY. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,569. RETURNED USPS, 2ND ATTEMPT MADE 07/24/07 FAILED. *LJ ,
Owner-reported narrative. 56,569 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503813 · 2013-03-20 (March 20, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY DIRECTION FROM ME, THE CARS RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (SECONDS) AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT. THE INCIDENT CORRECTED ITSELF QUICKLY AND THE VSA LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. IT IS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. IN THE BEGINNING, IT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE EVERY WEEK OR TWO. THE FREQUENCY HAS STEADILY INCREASED OVER THE PAST YEAR. AT THIS TIME, IT OCCURS ABOUT EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052562 · 2004-01-07 (January 7, 2004)
THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO ACURA: HAVE A 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL THAT WAS PURCHASED AT RADLEY ACURA. MY VIN # [XXX]. I NOW KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND SAW THAT AN ACURA 2.5 TL VIN # [XXX] COLLAPSED DUE TO THE LOWER JOINT BREAKING ON MAY 22, 2003. I HAD TO REPLACE MY LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR ON 11/19/2003. AS I DROVE INTO THE CAR DEALERSHIP, I WAS NOT DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. I MENTIONED NOTHING ABOUT DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. MY CAR WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN I DROVE INTO THE SURFACE AREA. FOR THE PAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086449 · 2004-08-09 (August 9, 2004)
OUR 1996 ACURA 3.2 TL HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. ABS LIGHT CAME KEPT COMING ON. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED, WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL ACURA DEALER, JERRY DAMSON HONDA/ACURA AND WAS CHECKED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT., THE ABS MODULATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2100 - THEY DID DRAIN AND BLEED THE ABS SYSTEM BUT THAT ONLY SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THE DEALER IS NOT INCLINED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM TO EVERYONE'S SATISFACTION, AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY A…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323115 · 2020-05-03 (May 3, 2020)
YEA THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2019 @185K MILES AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AROUND APRIL 2020 @ 250K MILES MY , THIS MONTH AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR YOU COULD SAY , MY CAR OVER HEATED AND THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICITY SENSORS AND SUCH STOPPED WORKING WHICH CAUSES ALL MY LIGHTS TO COME ON MY DASH INCLUDING MY ENGINE LIGHT SO I HOPE THE BATTERY DOESN'T CAUSE MY CAR TO BARELY SWITCH GEARS OR IDLE UNLOCK THE GASKET HAS BLOWN BUT I DON'T EVEN DRIVE FAST SO PLS HELP , THE RESERVOIR WAS SHOOTING WATER AND STEAM AND I LOOKED UP RECALLS RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 245,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157954 · 2006-05-21 (May 21, 2006)
MY 1997 ACURA TL HAS BEEN ACTING UP. IT WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E WHEN I WAS GOING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR RAN JUST FINE; BUT ALL THE SUDDEN I LOSE POWER AND THE CAR STALL. IT ALSO HAPPEN WHEN I TOOK THE INSIDE ROAD.) WHEN I TRIED TO RESTARTED THE CAR. IT WOULDN'T STARTED. I WAITED 10 MINUTES LATER, IT STARTED, BUT ONLY TO STALL AGAIN AFTER 5 MINUTES.) I HAD TO HAVE TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC BUT THE CAR STARTED FINE WHEN HE TRIED IT. HE RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULDN'T NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH IT. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123319 · 2018-08-29 (August 29, 2018)
ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS ABOUT 20 YEARS OLD NOW, I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE EXPERIENCED AND IT APPEARS CARS MADE FROM 1997 EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION SWITCHES. MY KEY WILL NOT START MY ENGINE AND HAS GOTTEN STUCK INSIDE THE CYLINDER MANY TIMES. I JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY AS WELL DUE TO MY VEHICLE STALLING WHEN I TURN IT ON. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON OTHER THAN THE FAULTY MACHINERY THAT'S GIVING ME ALL THIS TROUBLE. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR HAVE EXPIRENCED THESE EXACT ISSUES. I BELIEVE Y…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062535 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
I PURCHASED MY TL BRAND NEW IN 2000. SINCE THEN I HAVE IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES FOR THE SAMETHING. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF EACH ATTEMPTED REPAIR: *AK THE 1ST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (NOV 9 2000) THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, THE COIL AND FUEL INJECTOR WAS CHECKED. A SHORT WAS FOUND IN THE WIREHOOK (FALSE CODE). THE 2ND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (DEC 13 2000) WAS A CODE P0305 #5 CYLINDER MISS FIRE AND THEY REPLACED 5 INJECTOR WITH 4 INJECTOR THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO REPAIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10807510 · 2015-11-30 (November 30, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA TL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10807510 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
1998: 2; 1999: 4; 2000: 6; 2001: 3; 2002: 7; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 3