2004 Acura TL Complaint Log

CRACKS IN DASHBOARD ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BEGAN APPEARING JUST OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. CRACKING IS SEVERE AND COULD IMPARE/CUT THE AIRBAG ON DEPLOYMENT. *TR

BOTH MINE AND MY FRIENDS POWER STREEING PUMPS HAVE GONE BAD RIGHT AROUND THE SAME TIME IN OUR 2004 ACURA TL. RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MARK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. WHEN A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE, BUT NOT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ONLY DRIVE IN REVERSE REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ ACURA AGREED TO COVER A PORTION OF THE CONSUMERS RENTAL EXPENSES. UPDATED 12/12/07

I STARTED MY CAR, BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, STARTED TO GO DOWN THE ROAD AND SMELLED A STRONG WHIFF OF GASOLINE. SO I BACKED UP AND PULLED BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND GAS POURING DOWN THE FRONT OF MY GAS TANK, ALL OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IN A FEW SECONDS OF HAVING THE CAR RUNNING I HAD A 5 FOOT POOL OF GAS UNDER THE CAR. IF MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE NOTICED AND KEPT GOING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD. THE CAR IS A 2004 ACURA TL WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT, BUT I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY JUST CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND A FUEL LINE HAS SPLIT AND THEY ORDERED THE PART. THEY HAVE NOT YET FIGURED OUT WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FUEL LINE TO SPLIT. MY WIFE CAN NOT SMELL AND ALSO IS A SMOKER, SO LUCKILY I HAPPENED TO TAKE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

2004 ACURA TL WITH TWO RECALLS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WOULD LIKE FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPAIRS HE PAID FOR ON HIS VEHICLE, WHICH WERE THEN RECALLED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. *JB

THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM ON THE INTERSTATE. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES REPORTED ON THE ACURA TL OWNERS SITE HTTP://TL.ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?=160666&HIGHLIGHT=WIPER+MOTOR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL 3.2. HE STATED THAT WHILE IDLED, HE SMELLED SMOKE BUT DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD. THE FLAMES CEASED WHEN HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

THE CRACKS AROUND PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE FIRST CRACK APPEAR. THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. SOME CHIPPING STARTED NOW. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ISSUE BUT COULDN'T CLEAR THE LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE AND UNDER CANOPY AT WORK.

2004 ACURA TL WITH CRACKED DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG. OUTLINE OF THE AIRBAG WAS VISIBLE SINCE THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 50000 MILES. NOW THE CRACKS ARE VERY VISIBLE AND GETTING WORSE. SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OF PASSENGER AIRBAG. CALLED ACURA CORPORATE, THEY OFFERED A 25% DISCOUNT TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD WHICH I BELIEVE IS AN ADMISSION THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY $1500 TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND FEEL THAT ACURA SHOULD REPLACE THE DASH. MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. ACURA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I AM HOPING THAT NHTSA CAN INFLUENCE ACURA TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND PROTECT THE CONSUMER. MY CAR NOW HAS 100,000 MILES AND THE CRACKS ARE VERY NOTICEABLE. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG. IN ADDITION, THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LUXURY CAR AND THIS DEFECTS DETRACTS FROM THE APPEARANCE AND DRAMATICALLY IMPACTS THE RESALE VALUE. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO FORCE ACURA TO STEP UP AND FIX THE KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

2004 ACURA TL WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER PAID FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSE FOR THE RECALL. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. *JB

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH MY ACURA IS THE BATTERY. I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 BATTERIES SINCE ABOUT 39,000 MILES. I NEVER KNEW WHY MY BATTERY WAS DYING UNTIL ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AN EMPLOYEE AT ACURA TOLD ME THAT THE HANDS FREE LINK IS DRAINING TOO MUCH OF THE BATTERY BECAUSE OF SOME FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I ASKED FOR THEM TO COVER IT FOR FREE AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL WITH THAT EQUIPMENT YET. THEY ARE AWARE THAT OTHER ACURAS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET THEY STILL WON'T COVER MY COST FOR NEW EQUIPMENT OR AT LEAST COVER COST TO GET THE HANDS FREE DISCONNECTED. THIS DEVICE IS STILL DRAINING MY BATTERY. THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH CAR IS THAT THE BRAKES IN FRONT WERE STICKING SO BAD I HAD TO GE THE ROADERS GRINDED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. NOW THE BACK BRAKES ARE STICKING TOO. PLEASE CALL WHEN YOU REACH A DECISION. *TR

2004 ACURA TL BOTH XENON HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING. THIS CAR LOW AND HIGH BEAM ARE ON THIS SYSTEM (ONE BULB FOR BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAM). NO LIGHTS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT AND BAD WEATHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH INDICATED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING AND THE EXHAUST FUMES HAD A STRONG AROMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A DECREASED IN GAS MILEAGE. THE CONTACT WILL BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,829, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,200.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE 2004 ACURA TL, WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/18/07 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MECHANIC THAT THE 2 REAR TIRESPREMATURELY WEAR WORE OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #05076. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS BEST TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE 2 BACK TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESE TIRES CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WITH DOT# 0B6NTU22404 AND SIZE P235/45R17 RADIAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THESE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAS TO PAY 75% OF TIRE REPLACEMENT AS PER THE DEALERSHIP TIRE CHART, HONDA WILL PAY REMAINING 25%. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE AND THE TIRES COULD EXPLODE ANYTIME AND IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

DASHBOARD STARTS TO CRACK IN THE AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. YOU CAN SEE THE SHAPE OF THE AIR BAG UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ONCE THE CRACKS START. THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO APPEAR ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD OUT OF NO WHERE. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NO CHEMICALS ON THE DASHBOARD TO CLEAN IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE FOR A TIME AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED ON MY 2005 ACURA TL THAT I ALSO OWN. SO THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 ACURA TL'S. *TT

COMPLETE FAILURE OF RIGHT REAR TIRE PURCHASED NEW IN A SET OF FOUR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE (NOVEMBER 16, 2006). TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. FAILED TIRE FLEW OFF RIM (WHEEL) CAUSING CAR TO BE NEARLY UNCONTROLLABLE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIM (WHEEL) AND TIRE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. *JB

2004 ACURA TL MOON ROOF JUST FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

DRIVING ALONG ON I-10 IN MOBILE, AL ON SATURDAY EVENING. STARTED RAINING, TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY WORKED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THEN RETURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF A RAIN STORM. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOULDER. WASHER STILL WORKS. CHANGED THE FUSE, STILL NOT WORKING. GOING TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY, RIGHT FRONT BALL-JOINT BROKE IN HALF WITH NO WARNING OR REASON. RIGHT FRONT TIRE BECAME PERPENDICULAR TO THE VEHICLE. WIFE AND CHILD WERE IN VEHICLE WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE BALL JOINT WAS ABSOLUTELY DEFECTIVE AND ACURA REFUSED TO ASSIST IN REPAIR, CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY. I OWN 2 ACURA AND WILL NEVER BUY HONDA AGAIN. *NM

2004 ACURA TL RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE DEALER BLAMED THE FAILURE ON AFTER MARKET RIMS THAT THE CONSUMER PURCHASED, THE BUSINESS WHERE THE RIMS WERE PURCHASED STATED THEY WERE A PROPER FIT FOR THE VEHICLE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 ACURA TL ON A RECENTLY REPAVED HIGHWAY WHEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF THE AXLE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO PRECEDING NOISES OR CHANGES IN HANDLING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY AND AVOID INJURY. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, SO I CONTACTED ACURA TLC SERVICE AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER'S REFERRING AUTO BODY SHOP. ACURA EVALUATED THE CAR, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE. THE AUTO BODY MECHANICS AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER BOTH FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ACURA DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND ASKED TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK; THEY DECLINED. I CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AND REQUESTED A REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER TO EVALUATE THE CAR. THEY DECLINED. ONE WEEK AFTER THE INCIDENT, ACURA CLIENT SERVICES MADE THEIR FINAL DETERMINATION NOT TO COVER THIS INCIDENT. ULTIMATELY, THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS FOUND TO HAVE SNAPPED WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OR WEAR AND TEAR. IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW LOWER BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, AXLE, TIRE, WHEEL, AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL AT THE EXPENSE OF MY AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER. *NM

I HAD TO BREAK FOR A CAT RUNNING IN THE ROAD TO A HEAVY AND COMPLETE STOP. IT CAUSED THE ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TO MELT AND NOW ARE HARDEN AND DON'T STOP AS WELL AND MAKES A HEAVY GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS OK JUST TO BRAKE HARD A FEW TIMES AND WILL CLEAR THE PAD. I HAVE TRIED THIS AND THE NOSE IS GETTING WORST. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IN EMERGENCY STOP WILL CAUSE THE BRAKE TO FAIL OR MELT DO TO THE HIGHER FRICTION. PAD DOSE NOT SEEM TO BE SOFT BUT HARD NOW. THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN EMERGENCY STOP ONCE PADS HEAT UP. THE ACURA WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE IT AS AN ISSUE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HARD SPOT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WOULD WEAR DOWN OVER TIME AND THE GRINDING NOISE WOULD NO LONGER PERSIST. OVER TIME THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PAD HAD WORN THROUGH AND DESTROYED THE ROTOR. ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND UNDERSIZED ACCORDING TO REGULATION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

THE MICHELIN TIRES FAILED ON REAR OF FRONT WHEEL AFTER 2500 MILE ROAD TRIP. TIRES WERE INFLATED TO 38 PSI AS RECOMMENDED BY CAR MANUFACTURING WHEELS WERE E IN ALIGNMENT. BELTS APPEARED TO HAVE FAILED AS EVIDENCED BY WEAR PATTERN. MICHELIN AND THEIR DEALERS INDICATED THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OF ANY SORT ON THEIR XGTZ TIRES. THEREFORE, THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY ANYTHING ABOUT THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

FOUR NEW P235/45ZR17 PIRELLI PZERO NERO M&S TIRES PURCHASED DECEMBER 6, 2005 FROM TIRE RACK. HAVE HAD 3 [SO FAR] OF THOSE TIRES BLOW OUT: MARCH 9, 2006 AFTER 3,295 MILES; MAY 30, 2006 AFTER 5,536 MILES; JUNE 30, 2006 AFTER 6,184 MILES. (1) WERE TOLD BY TIRE RACK AND THEIR INSTALLER THAT IT WAS JUST BAD LUCK. (2) TIRE RACK SAID IT COULD BE AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM. AUTHORIZED PIRELLI DEALER INSTALLERS (NOT THE ONES WHO ORIGINALLY INSTALLED THE TIRES) SAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO INSTALL INCORRECTLY AND CONCLUDE IT IS BAD LUCK. (3) AUTHORIZED PIRELLI DEALER SAYS IT COULD BE THAT THE VALVE STEM HAS A TEAR AT ITS BASE BUT DENIES ANY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. WE ARE CONVINCED WE BOUGHT A BAD RUN OF THESE TIRES OUT OF THE ITALY PLANT BEFORE THEY STOPPED MAKING THEM THERE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEATBELT BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD AWAITING INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

OEM BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRE DISINTEGRATED ON DRIVE SIDE REAR WHEEL OF 2004 ACURA TL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX 55 MPH. VIBRATION AND THEN SUDDENLY TIRE FELL APART. SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM BEAD. TIRE SIZE P235/45 R17. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A TWO INCH CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THESE WERE RATED FOR 25,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD 27,200 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE TIRE LINE IS 92354517EL42.

THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL-42, 235/45-17 93W ) SUPPLIED ON THE 2004 ACURA TL WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME I HAVE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNSUITABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS TIRE ON ALL EXISTING VEHICLES. THIS TIRE EXHIBITS UNSAFE CHARACTERISTICS IN WET WEATHER, WITH NOTICEABLE DRIFT AND HYDROPLANING IN ANY AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER, EVEN AS LITTLE AS 1/16 INCH. IN HEAVY RAINS, EVEN WITH NO STANDING WATER PRESENT, THE TIRE SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DISPERSING WATER AS QUICKLY AS IT FALLS, AGAIN LEADING TO VEHICLE INSTABILITY. FROM A RIDE QUALITY POINT OF VIEW THE TIRE IS ALSO UNSATISFACTORY IN THAT IT FLAT SPOTS EVERY MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN COOL WEATHER BUT EVEN IN WARMER WEATHER AS WELL, LEADING TO VIBRATIONS IN THE INITIAL MILES OF ANY DRIVE. IT IS ALSO ESPECIALLY HARSH OVER ROADWAY EXPANSION JOINTS, AND IS SO LOUD ON CONCRETE PAVEMENTS THAT IT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO DRIVER FATIGUE INDUCED BY THE CONTINUOUS NOISE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE REGARDING THE RATING AS AN "ALL SEASON TIRE" WITH MANY OWNERS REPORTING THAT THIS TIRE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS IN ANY KIND OF SNOW CONDITIONS. *JB

BRIDGESTONE TURANZA E42 OEM TIRE ON 2004 ACURA TL HAVE FLAT SPOTTING ISSUES AND WERE WORN OUT AFTER 15,000 MILES. VERY POOR TRACTION IN RAIN AND SNOW FOR AN ALL SEASON TOURING TIRE. ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THESE TIRES. *JB

ON NOVEMBER 19, MY 2004 ACURA TL WAS STRUCK SQUARELY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $5000 DAMAGE. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE WRITTEN ACURA CLIENT SERVICES ASKING IF THERE WAS SOME REASON FOR THIS BUT THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME THE COURTESY OF AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MUCH LESS A REPLY. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A DEFECT OR AND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAD A BLOW OUT. THE THREE REMAINING TIRES WERE BALD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE BLOW OUT OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS VIBRATION BEFORE THE BLOW OUT. THE SPARE TIRE WAS IN PLACE AT THIS TIME. THE TIRE WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. THE COMPLETE TIRE SIZE IS P235/45/17.

THE MAJORITY OF THE OWNERS OF 2004 AND NEWER ACURA TLS KNOW THAT THERE IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRES THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH VIBRATION WITH THESE TIRES. IN 2005, ACURA STARTED SELLING THE TL WITH MICHELIN TIRES BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS. THOSE OF US WHO STILL HAVE THE BRIDGESTONES ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE (2004 TL) HAS CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES NOW. I AM REQUIRED TO FILL IT WITH AIR APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE CRACKS, AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WANTED ME TO HANDLE THE WARRANTY CLAIM WITH BRIDGESTONE AND SENT ME OFF ON MY WAY, WITH A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT A BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE IS UNPREVENTABLE AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS, BUT THEY DO NOT CARE. I AM SUGGESTING THAT A RECALL BE PLACED ON THE BRIDGESTONE EL42 TIRES AND THAT ALL ACURA TLS WITH THESE TIRES BE REPLACED WITH THE MICHELIN TIRES, WHICH THE CURRENT YEAR TLS COME EQUIPPED WITH. *JB

MY 2004 ACURA 3.2 TL USES BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRES (235/45R17), W SPEED-RATED. THE EL 42 TIRES HAD A SO CALLED "FLAT SPOT" PROBLEM AND THEY WERE WORN OUT ONLY AT 15,500 MILE. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF TIRES ON THE INTERNET. MANY OF THEM MENTIONED THAT "FLAT SPOT" PROBLEM COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE.

I HAVE CALLED THE ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND DID NOT GET THROUGH WITH ANYONE. MY 2004 ACURA TL HAS A CONSISTENT VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. THE VIBRATION SEEMS TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE ACURA DEALER AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES. I ALSO HAD A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHOM ALSO ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM ARE THE TIRES. I FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES, AND I FEEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND ACURA/BRIDEGSTONE SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THESE TIRES. THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE TIRES. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 10,000 MILES AND THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS WHO JUST PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TIRES, WHICH I FEEL MAY HAVE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSING A VIBRATION IN THE CAR. THIS MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2004 ACURA OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM GETS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT REPLACED FOUR SETS OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES, SIZE P23545R17 (NA) DUE TO INNER TREAD WEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 05-050, DATED JANUARY OF 2006. THE BULLETIN STATED THAT THE 2004 ACURA TL CAN ONLY USE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT ACURA SHOULD HAVE INFORMED THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE REQUIRED TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHEN THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES, HE REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ASSIST WITH THE COST; HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED AND INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AFTER MARKET TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,400. UPDATED 4/21/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH FALKEN ZIEX ZE512 P235/45R17 ON 09/05 AND 01/07. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE LAST INCIDENT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42. UPDATED 04/21/08 *TR

THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL-42, 235/45-17 93W ) SUPPLIED ON THE 2004 ACURA TL WITH 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME I HAVE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNSUITABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH ACURA AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS TIRE ON ALL EXISTING VEHICLES. THIS TIRE EXHIBITS UNSAFE CHARACTERISTICS IN WET WEATHER AND ON SNOW. AT ABOUT 14,000 MILES WE JUST HAD A FLAT TIRE ON A HIGHWAY AND WHEN WE TOOK IT FOR FIXING WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SIDEWALL HAS COLLAPSED (AND LOOKS LIKE A BUBBLE) AND THAT WE CAN NO LONGER USE IT AS IT WILL EXPLODE. WE MUST REPLACE IT AFTER RIDING OVER A NAIL. WE BELIEVE THE SIDEWALL SHOULD BE REINFORCED MORE TO WITHHOLD DRIVING ON A FLAT TO SAFETY WITHOUT HAVING TO REPLACE IT. FROM A RIDE QUALITY POINT OF VIEW THE TIRE IS ALSO UNSATISFACTORY IN THAT IT FLAT SPOTS EVERY MORNING, LEADING TO VIBRATIONS DURING OUR DRIVE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE REGARDING THE RATING AS AN "ALL SEASON TIRE" WITH MANY OWNERS REPORTING THAT THIS TIRE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS IN ANY KIND OF SNOW CONDITIONS.*JB

DT: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. THIS STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2004. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN JULY 2005 THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONTACTED AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER FOUND THAT A SCREW CAME OUT OF THE PART THAT PERTAINED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ACCELERATOR CONNECTION. *AK

I HAVE OWNED THIS 2004 ACURA TL SINCE JAN. 2004. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT ABOUT 60 MPH. ONE CAN FEEL AND SEE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TIRES (AT NO CHARGE) WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. HOWEVER, THE VIBRATION PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN CORRECTED. IN REVIEWING WEB SITES IT APPEARS THE VIBRATION PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, BUT ONE COMMON TO MANY ACURA TL OWNERS. IT SEEMS THAT HONDA HAS AN OBLIGATION TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON OUR 2004 ACURA TL AT 12,000 MILES, EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR WAS NOTED BY ACURA MECHANIC ON FRONT OEM BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 TIRES. TIRE SIZE IS P235/45R17 (THIS COMPLAINT FORM DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT SIZE OPTION TO SELECT). SAID TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. FINDING IT HARD TO BELIEVE THESE TIRES WOULD LAST ONLY 12,000 MILES, WE GOT A 2ND OPINION BY A NON-ACURA GARAGE AND THEY AGREED TIRES WERE WORN AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ACURA SAID PREMATURE WEAR WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO "FRONT END BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT" OR POSSIBLY "WRONG TIRE PRESSURE" (LATER FOUND NOT TO BE THE CASE WHEN ACURA REPLACED THE TIRES). NO MENTION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH TIRES THEMSELVES. TRUSTING ACURA'S EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE, WE PURCHASED AND HAD THEM INSTALL TWO NEW EL42S. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT WE ARE JUST ONE OF MANY TO HAVE QUALITY AND SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. READ THE MANY BAD CUSTOMER REVIEWS/RATINGS REPORTED ON WWW.TIRERACK.COM (ENTER "2004 ACURA TL" IN THE "SHOP FOR TIRES" SECTION, AND READ "TIRE REVIEWS FOR THIS VEHICLE"). LUCKILY, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE POOR TRACTION, HYDROPLANING, NOISE, FLAT-SPOTTING, ETC THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED.

OEM TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL42) COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER 10,000 MILES. FROM VERY BEGINNING, "ALL SEASON" TIRES WOULD ROUTINELY HYDROPLANE AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 40MPH AND WERE UNUSABLE IN THE SNOW.

MY 2004TL CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES. THE DEALER STATED TIRES WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE WHEN I STATED CONCERNS WITH WHAT I HAD READ ABOUT FLAT SPOTTING. ON MY FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIP (500+ MILES) MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT PROCTER ACURA IN TALLAHASSEE WHICH IN FORMED ME TO TAKE TIRE TO A TIRE MANUFACTURER SINCE IT IS WARRANTIED THRU ITS MANUFACTURURER. AS OF THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE ($225) AND AM WAITING TO HEAR WHAT ELSE BRIDGESTONE WILL DO TO COMPENSATE ME. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ORIGINAL REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES DUE TO BALDNESS TWO-THIRDS FROM THE OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA P23545R17.

DURING LIGHT RAIN MY 2004 ACURA TL WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRES HYDROPLANED AND LOST CONTROL. IT HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER AND SPUN AND ENDED UP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BROKE OFF. FORTUNETLY MY CAR OR THE BROKEN WHEEL DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW CARS ON THE FREEWAY ALL AT NORMAL FREEWAY SPEED. I WAS ACTUALLY FOLLOWING MY WIFES 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX IN THE SAME LANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH ACURA (800) 382-2238 AND MY CASE # B012005-02-2300320. SO FAR THE COMPLAINT HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING FOR ME.

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED, AND A WHEEL ALIGNED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. AFTERWARDS THE MECHANIC TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THIS VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED, AND HAD A DESIGN FLAW PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

ON 1/19/05 MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AUTODIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR FEATURE, & POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE NOT WORKING. I IMMIDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED. ON 1/27/05 I BEGAN TO DRIVE AND DIRTY WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW WAS HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE DIRT WITH THE WASHER FLUID, BUT IT AGAIN WAS NOT WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2004 ACURA TLS AND THAT ACURA IS WORKING ON IT. THEY REPALCED THE FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IN THE MEANTIME I CAN'T RELY ON MY WASHER FLUID TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS TO MY VISION, WHICH MAY CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER RAIN AND SNOWFALL. CURRENTLY, NO PERMINENT SOLUTION WAS OFFERRED. *AK

MY 2004 ACURA TL CAME EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGRSTONE EL-42 TURANZA TIRES. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT, THESE TIRES HYDROPLANE LIKE CRAZY AND HAVE ZERO SNOW TRACTION AND CONTROL. THEY ARE SO BAD THAT WE PAID TO HAVE ALL 4 REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. I NOW FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TIRE, ALTHOUGH OUR DEALER CLAIMS OTHERWISE. I FEEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE PATENTLY UNSAFE AND ACURA OR BRIDGESTONE SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THEM. *AK

ACURA 2004 LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD ON DRIVER'S SIDE, ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN A HILL. CANNOT SEE IF SOMETHING/SOMEONE DASHES OUT FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER CHECKED AND IT MEETS SPECIFICATIONS FOR TYPE OF LIGHT/DESIGN. *JB

I OWN A 2004 ACURA TL WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BRIDGESTONE EL-42 TIRES. WHILE THE TIRE PREFORMED ACCEPTABLY DURING THE SUMMER THE PREFORMANCE ON WET ROADS AND PARTICULARY IN SNOW AND ICE WAS ABSOLUTLY TERRIBLE. MY FAMILY AND I TOOK A 500 MILE TRIP IN MICHIGAN OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AND I ALMOST HAD TO PARK THE CAR AND GET A RENTAL TO GET HOME. I REPLACED THE TIRES 2 DAYS AFTER GETTING HOME. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 12K MILES ON THERM.*AK

THIS IS A NEAR MISS PROBLEM. WE OWN AN ACURA TL 2004. IT HAS TERRIBLE BLIND SPOTS. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM ARISES BECAUSE THE BARS WITH THE AIR BAGS IN THEM ARE SO WIDE THAT THEY CAN HIDE AN ENTIRE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD DEVELOP EXTRA MECHANISMS TO ANTICIPATE POSSIBLE VEHICLES, AND I FEEL MUCH LESS SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. ALSO, THE HVAC SYSTEM IS SO COMPLEX THAT IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANAGE IT WHILE DRIVING. I HOPE YOU WILL START TO LOOK TO SEE IF YOU SEE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ACURA'S OR OTHER VEHICLES WITH BROAD AIR BAG HOLDERS AND COMPLICATED HEATING AND AC SYSTEMS. *JB