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1999 Acura TL: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

150 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

112,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 83 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 150 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting3221.3%
Engine operation3120.7%
Braking behavior1812.0%
Electrical and battery issues1510.0%
Steering behavior149.3%

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.

Electrical System
34
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
25
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
17
Air Bags
11
Vehicle Speed Control
9
Electrical System:Ignition
8
Power Train
8
Unknown Or Other
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System34
Power Train:Automatic Transmission25
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch17
Air Bags11
Vehicle Speed Control9
Electrical System:Ignition8
Power Train8
Unknown Or Other7

Electrical System: 34; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 25; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 17; Air Bags: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 8; Power Train: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
17
75,000 to 99,999
10
100,000 to 149,999
32
150,000 and above
22
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,99917
75,000 to 99,99910
100,000 to 149,99932
150,000 and above22

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 22

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 67 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.

2000
12
2001
5
2002
15
2003
10
2004
8
2005
5
2006
3
2007
8
2008
6
2009
18
2010
9
2011
10
2012
5
2013
3
2014
9
2015
6
2016
3
2017
2
2018
1
2019
1
2020
8
2022
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200012
20015
200215
200310
20048
20055
20063
20078
20086
200918
20109
201110
20125
20133
20149
20156
20163
20172
20181
20191
20208
20223

2000: 12; 2001: 5; 2002: 15; 2003: 10; 2004: 8; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 8; 2008: 6; 2009: 18; 2010: 9; 2011: 10; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 9; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 8; 2022: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 31 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10003565 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)

'99 ACURA TL W/MICHELIN MXV4 TIRES AT 65K MILES. TWO OF THE TIRES SHOWED CLEAR BEGINNING OF TREAD SEPARATION AT AROUND 65K MILES. INSPECTION: DEEP CUT-LIKE SEPARATION AROUND THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL AT THE TREAD SEAM TO SIDEWALL AREA. MICHELIN DEALER FOUND WHILE DOING ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION AND REPLACED WITH SAME TIRE FOR A PRORATED PRICE.

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003565 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005200 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)

TRANSMISSION FAILURE SLIPPING, REVING UP SEVERAL TIMES, BARELY MADE IT TO AUTO SHOP IN VEHICLE

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005200 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009363 · 2002-05-30 (May 30, 2002)

TOTAL COST IS $2505.00 AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**762451

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009363 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010458 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)

INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES ON MY 1999 3.2 TL ACURA. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010458 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10011264 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH RESULTED IN A BROKE ENGINE BOLT AND FRAGMENTS JAMMED THE CAMS, WHICH CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO STOP WORKING.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10014012 · 2003-04-05 (April 5, 2003)

TRANSMISSION JOLTS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. HAS OCCURRED TONS OF TIMES, EVEN BROKEN AN ENGINE MOUNT. DEALERS CAN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN REPEATEDLY SO THEY DON'T FIX IT. THIS IS ONE OF TWO 99 TL'S THAT I BOUGHT NEW. THE OTHER HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER MUCH TIME IN THE SHOP AND BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. AT TIMES THIS CARE HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING UP WHILE ON THE ROAD AND ALSO WILL JUMP DOWN INTO A LOWER GEAR WITH A JOLT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014012 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10021318 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)

DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT, MAKING IT USELESS. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 51,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021318 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10045784 · 2003-11-09 (November 9, 2003)

I OWN A 99 ACURA TL. RECEIVE A NOTICE FROM ACURA REGARDING AN EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT ON INTERNET TO DO RESEARCH, TO MY HORROR, THERE ARE PEOPLE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED UP TO 6 TIMES. IN SOME OCCASION IT WAS REPORTED THE TRANSMISSON FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE UTMOST SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045784 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V120000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V423000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V025000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2005-01-28 (January 28, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

NHTSA campaign record ↗