2004 Acura Tl
The Verdict
The 2004 Acura Tl has 550 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (258 complaints) and electrical (208 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 23/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Acura Tl, consider the 2014 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2014 has 96% fewer complaints
View the 2014 Acura Tl dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
HONDA IS RECALLING 129,600 MY 2004-2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES. IF WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE MOTOR TO VENT WARM AIR DURING NORMAL OPERATION, ...
Risk
IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILS, IT WILL CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION. IF NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ARE PRESENT, A SNORKEL TUBE WILL BE ADDED TO THE WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENT...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE T...
Risk
MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUL...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 PO...
Risk
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 REC...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
I was driving and all of a sudden I hit a pot hole and then when I went to take a turn my car ended up making a shaking rattling sound when I pulled to to side to check it the ball joint was half way out of the control arm
Car stopped working three days after I purchased it.
I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events of an accident
In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to this happening. Upon my research, I noticed that there is a standing recall for the 2004 Acura TL, but not for my specific VIN. I believe that my issue may be related to this recall (08V-091) and believe this recall should be added to my vehicle.
The red air bag light on the dashboard has been on for many months. It will occasionally turn off, but usually it is on. Is there a recall for my 2004 Acura TL air bags? Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH with her mother in the front passenger’s side seat, her mother informed her that the vehicle was bouncing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front lower control arms, shocks, and bushings were replaced; however, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side of the vehicle dropped significantly and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E022000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
16 y/o driving and stopped at a traffic light. He attempted to go when the light turned green, heard a pop, engine was revving but the car was not moving. It was acting as if it was in neutral. Luckily a police car was right there and they helped him push it to a parking lot. This car has 99K miles on it. He almost got hammered by the car behind him. This is a transmission issue and we had absolutely no warning and has been driving and servicing this car with no issues. There are a lot of info online with transmission issues in these year/model cars. This put my son in extreme danger.
I have a defective dashboard in my Acura TL. The dashboard is cracking. One of the crack pieces popped out and flew into my eye while driving. I almost rear-ended someone. I would hate for this to happen to anyone else. There needs to be a recall on all dashboards. 2. I can not see through my review mirror. The top half is light grey and the lower half is blacked out/tinted. A rearview mirror is needed to drive safely and I can not see out of mine. It is very difficult to use. I am unsafe trying to use it. 3. Cracked seats. The cracked seats are cutting my legs and my passenger's legs. With the way the world is today, we can not drive around in cars with cracked seats. This is hazardous to our health. There heighten the chances of spreading diseases by exchanging blood and body fluids through the cuts. The cracking of the seats is not safe.
I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light comes on and tugs the vehicle to the right. When we purchased the vehicle I drove it home with my 16 year old (it is planned to be his first car) and I was on the highway going 60 and the VSA light came on and tugged the vehicle to the right. I did not lose control but it can definitely catch someone off guard and cause them to over correct. I took the car in to a local auto shop and they said there was a fault on the VSA module and a couple of other issues. I spent $1,300 to replace both front bearings, hubs, 1 speed control sensor because they recommended that be done before looking to replace the VSA modulating assembly ($1,800 + install). I checked the Acura site and (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) but there is nothing there about a recall for the VSA module. I have seen other posts online of people saying that the car pulls to the right when the VSA light comes on so I seems to be an issue. In winter conditions having an issue like this could cause an over correction and/or loss of control which could cause an accident.
04 acura tl my transmission wen applying the brakes feel like a big part of tranny broke u feel it move like it grinding about to brake it can cause a big accident or death .if wen fully apply brakes complete stop .it will b bad it say a recall yrs ago 4 this same thing I'm telling u now about trannie i got kids I take n car seat belt lock don't work n back lights keep flashing n back at nite out of no were is there something n my car my gmail is [XXX]. 04 Acura tl had only 2mounths paid 3000 n Montclair now it sits not going to chance it driving no safe at all please help me INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The dashboard on 3rd generation Acura TL has a design defect to where they will crack all over. In the event of a crash which results in a passenger-side dashboard airbag deployment, the dashboard can rip uncontrollably and send shards of rubber flying at everyone's face in the car and prevent the airbag from deploying properly. This is a very well known problem with this generation of Acura TL and the dealership refuses to address as a warrantied safety concern.
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at 10 - 15 mph, a burning odor was detected and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed there was fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter that was causing the smoke. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V091000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
My "D" indicator light is blinking no matter changing the transmission fluid, cleaning the solenoids, etc. the car is not overheating, there are no apparent electrical problems and I do not even have any check engine lights or other codes. The light comes on blinking when I drive for a little while then goes off when I turn the car off and is fine. Then when I start it up it doesn't blink anymore. But then when I drive again for a while it blinks again. I've had transmission shuddering, jerky shifting, delayed shifting, etc.
Transmission is going out an a lot of people say after 200,000 miles Acura TL the 2004 transmissions start to go out which mines is doing now what can I do this is a know problem with 2004-2006 Acura TL
TORQUE CONVERTER HAS DIFFERENCE OF 200RPM OR GREATER THAN CAUSING TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL POWER STEERING LINE ALLOWING AIR INTO SYSTEM. SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WON'T SENT CODE
MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT I THINK HOSE BUSTED HARD TO STEER AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING REVERSE IS GOING OUT
AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2004! THIS CAR HAS NEVER HAD A AIRBAG RECALL. I'M VERY CONCERNED THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WAS OVERLOOKED CONCERNING THE AIRBAG RECALL. EVERY SINGLE MODEL AND YEAR AROUND THIS 2004 ACURA TL WAS RECALLED FOR THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. WE CONSTANTLY CHECK FOR UPDATES TO ASSURE WE DO NOT MISS A NOTICE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO ASSURE OUR 2004 TL AIRBAG IS SAFE?
NEAR HEAD-ON COLLISION ON UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD IN HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 13, 2020. OUR CLIENT WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND HER CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED VERY SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES AND REMAINS HOSPITALIZED.*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*DT
I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL, THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I EXITED A HIGHWAY, CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND LUCKILY I DIDN'T HURT AO OR MYSELF. THANK YOU STAY SAFE. I THINK IT WAS IN 2015.
550 total