2008 Acura TL: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WAS BROKEN WHICH MADE THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERABLE. AS OF DECEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE CAUSED THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 500. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212858 at NHTSA ↗

MY CAR IS A 2008 ACURA TL WITH 2000 MILES. IT HAD A "MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE" TO QUOTE THE ACURA DEALER. A PISTON ROD BROKE AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE ALONG WITH THE OIL PAN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS EXTREMELY RARE IF EVER THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS INFORMATION WAS PASSED ALONG TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE ACURA CORPORATION. WHEN THE ENGINE DIED I WAS ON A BUSY ROAD AND HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 120 MILES AWAY SINCE I DO NOT LIVE CLOSE TO A DEALER. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE ME TO THE DEALERSHIP T…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234278 at NHTSA ↗

2008 ACURA TL WITH EXTERIOR DAMAGE OVER THE DOOR. CONSUMER STATES THE EXTERIOR FRAME OVER THE DOORS WAS UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE. THAT SECTION OF THE EXTERIOR SHOWED DENTS OR IMPRESSIONS. HE STATES HIS PREVIOUS ACURA TL SHOWED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *KB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10237138 at NHTSA ↗

I AM THE OWNER OF 2008 ACURA TL WHICH I PURCHASED BACK IN LATE NOVEMBER OF 2008 I HAVE ABOUT 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD ONE BLOW OUT DURING REGULAR DRIVING (ON 12/24/08 WITH ONLY 2200 MILES) ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WITHOUT AND WARNING I CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE ON REGARDS TO THIS AND THE COVERED ONLY 80% OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE TIRE. I NOW HAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A BUBBLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF AN EGG NOW IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE. I BELIEVE THAT THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR ARE DEFECTIVE. MY CONCERN IN NOT WITH THE OVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256375 at NHTSA ↗

HIT ICE ON ROAD AND SLID OFF EMBANKMENT AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 12,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258333 at NHTSA ↗

2008 ACURA TL - DOORS WILL NOT STAY OPEN WHEN GETTING OUT OF CAR. DOORS CLOSE ON INDIVIDUALS WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10287471 at NHTSA ↗

AS A PASSENGER, I OFTEN FIND THE BIG HEAVY DOOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION WHILE I AM TRYING TO EXIT FROM THE CAR. THERE ARE SEVERAL "LOCKING" POSITIONS, BUT NONE OF THEM HOLD FIRMLY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF THE CAR IS ON EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE. I FIND MYSELF KICKING THE DOOR OUT OF THE WAY SO I CAN SAFELY EXIT. THE CAR IS LEASED, AND I WOULD CONSIDER NOT BUYING IT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. NO CRASH, NO INJURY, NO DAMAGE TO OUR CAR OR OTHER CARS. THIS IS AN ANNOYING DESIGN FLAW. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE GOT THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288822 at NHTSA ↗

THE DOORS DO NOT STAY OPEN AND TEND TO CLOSE ON PASSENGERS AS THEY ARE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288842 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-02-27 (February 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: 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).

Reported: 2012-05-17 (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: 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.