NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Acura TL. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
DASHBOARD ON MY 2005 ACURA HAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES, ONE RIGHT OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO ACURA, BUT THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. *TR
I OWN A ACURA TL 2005 WHICH I BOUGHT IN NOV 2009 AND LAST SUMMER MY CARS DASHBOARD DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CRACKS. NOW I AM AFRAID IF THIS WILL HAVE EFFECT ON MY AIRBAGS, I AM NOTICING MY CARS AUDIO ALREADY MAKING SOME BUZZING NOISE AFTER THE CRACKS. PLEASE TAKE NECESSARY ACTION ON ACURA AND MAKE THEM REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS, THIS BEING A LUXURY MODEL THEY SHOULD ATLEAST NOT PUT IN CHEAP MATERIAL. *TR
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS THAT HAVE APPEARED OVERNIGHT, ONE IS BY THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG AND IS PRETTY LARGE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE CUPHOLDERS JUST BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT. NOTHING FORCEFUL , JUST TRIED TO CLOSE IT IN A REGULAR MANNER. *TR
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACK RIGHT THROUGH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF IT DEPLOYS, I'M WORRIED THAT PIECES FROM THE DASHBOARD WILL INJURE SOMEBODY. *TR
2005 ACURA TL DASHBOARD CRACKS ALL OVER PASSENGER AIRBAG. STARTED AS ONE SMALL CRACK TO HAVING 8 LARGE CRACKS. AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY AT ANYTIME AS THE CRACKS GET WORSE AND WORSE PUTTING MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX CRACK AND IT WILL COST $1000 + TO REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN DAYS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO CENTER; THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
THE CAR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED EITHER WITH KEYS OR MANUAL BUTTON. THE DRIVER WAS LOCKED INSIDE AND CANNOT GET OUT. POLICE HAD TO BE CALLED. EVEN WITH THE POLICE ASSISTANCE, THE CAR STILL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVE WAS ABSOLUTELY TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR.
PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL IN 2008 FROM AN ACUAR DEALERSHIP. ONE YEAR LATER THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR AROUND THE AIR BAG. THE CRAKCS STARTED ABOUT ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG AND ARE NOW A WEEK LATER ABOUT A 12 INCHES LONG.
2005 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE BETWEEN A CELL PHONE AND THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL DUE TO AN INCIDENT WHILE BACKING UP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO A TIGHT PARKING SPACE, HE HAD HIS CELL PHONE ON THE TRANSMISSION LEVER OVER THE METAL TOP COVER, POSSIBLY ACTING LIKE AN ANTENNA. WHEN HE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, HE WENT IN THE REAR DIRECTION FIRST, THEN WENT FORWARD AND BACKWARD AGAIN. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE'S RPM REVVED TO MAYBE 4,000-5,000, THEN A STRANGE NOISE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN. HE PICKED UP HIS CELL PHONE AND TURNED IT OFF AND PLACED IT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE ENGINE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *JB
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD. STARTED SMALL IN LENGTH ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH BUT NOW HAVE EXTENED AND TAKEN OVER THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AREA. ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BOTH MAIN AND PASSENGER, TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
I'D LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH ACURA. THEIR AIRBAGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DEPLOY SPONTANEOUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED YESTERDAY TO ME 2/15/2010. I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 83 IN BALTIMORE AT AROUND 6AM AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR WARNING, MY FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2005 ACURA TL. I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS SHOOTING OR MY TIRE BLEW OUT. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, EXCEPT THE AIR BAG DAMAGE. IT DAMAGED MY DRIVER?S SEAT AND INTERIOR ROOF IN THE FRONT AND BACK. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS INFLATE. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN. AFTER SETTLING AT WORK, I PLACE A CALL TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TO NORRIS ACURA (ELLICOTT CITY, MD) WHERE I HAVE MY AUTO SERVICE DONE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ASKED ME TO CONTACT ACURA BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. ACURA ASKED ME TO BRING MY CAR IN THE NEXT DAY. THEY EVALUATED THE CAR AND ASKED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THEY INSIST THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A POT HOLE, ICE OR SOMETHING. I HIT NOTHING. IF THAT WAS THE CASE AND I HIT SOMETHING, THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND INFLATED. THEY NEVER INFLATED, THEY JUST DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING ALSO NEVER DEPLOYED. SO IF THEY SAY THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING, THEN THE AIRBAGS ARE STILL DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT HAVE PROTECTED ME IN AN IMPACT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW WITH 3 DEPLOYED AIRBAGS (DRIVER'S SIDE) WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR
1. THIS 2005 ACURA TL HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR EVERY MAJOR AND NON MAJOR FIX, INCLUDING PAYING THE OUTRAGEOUS $125 FOR OIL CHANGES. JUST AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I AM WORRIED THAT MY DASHBOARD AND AIRBAG PLATE ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 6-7 CRACKS ROUGHLY 8"-16" LONG. ACURA TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT CHARGE ME $1500 TO REPLACE THE DASH. *TR
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO EITHER COME TO A STOP OR TO DECELERATE THE CAR, AND THE RESULT HAS BEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN ENGINE REVOLUTIONS AND RESULTANT TORQUE. IN SHORT THE CAR WANTS TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS EVENT HAS HAPPENED TO TWO DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN A TIME WHEN APPROACHING A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE DID NOT REV UNTIL THE CAR WAS AT A COMPLETE STANDSTILL, AND ANOTHER WHEN THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS SHARPLY INCREASED THE MOMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ACTUATED. THE INCIDENT WAS FIRST REPORTED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 16, 2009. THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN BY AN ACURA TECHNICIAN AND THE INCIDENT DID NOT REPLICATE ITSELF. THE BRAKES WERE FOUND TO BE FINE. NO CODES WERE FOUND. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO CHECKED ACURA TECH LINE FOR SIMILAR CONCERNS AND FOUND NONE. THE ACURA TL WAS BOUGHT IN AGAIN AFTER THE LATEST INCIDENCE, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 AND AGAIN A TEST DRIVE WITH A TECHNICIAN DID NOT REPLICATE THE CONDITION. NO TROUBLE CODES WERE STORED IN MEMORY. IN EVERY INSTANCE THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED THE ONLY SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD THE CAR WANT TO LURCH FORWARD, OR IF THERE IS TRAFFIC AROUND, PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, AND TAP THE ACCELERATOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS IMMEDIATELY LOWER TO A NATURAL IDLE. *TR
DASHBOARD ON MY 2005 ACURA TL IS CRACKED REALLY BAD. IT IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. APPARENTLY AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET A TON OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
CRACKED DASHBOARD ON ACURA TL 2005. THE WHOLE PANEL IS CRACKING, I BELIEVE IT MAY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSING AN INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A SLOW POWER RESPONSE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS THE PROCESS OF THE BEING REPAIRED AT A TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
CRACK TO THE DASHBOARD OF 2005 ACURA TL ALSO THE COVER OF GEAR SHIFT BOX IS CRACKED AND MAKES SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS HARD OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. *TR
CRACKED DASHBOARD IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING IMMEDIATELY OVER THE LOCATION OF THE AIRBAG. *TR
2005 ACURA TL DASH IS CRACKING.
THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES AN HOUR, THEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED COMING TO ABRUPTLY SPEED TO 20 MILES AN HOUR, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE THAT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS SOFT BRAKES WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT JUST BLEEDS THE BRAKES HIMSELF. THE ACURA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ
ON 9/15/09, WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT IN A PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, MY 2005 ACURA TL ACCELERATED (ON ITS OWN) AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR MAT WAS NOT STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS COASTING INTO THE PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR "TOOK OFF" AND ACCELERATED INTO THE BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE WALL. FOR ABOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR WOULD REGULARLY CAUSE THE CAR TO ACCELERATE FOR A SHORT TIME RIGHT AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED. IT "JERKS' FORWARD WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT HAPPENS REGULARLY/DAILY. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY ACURA DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ABOVE, I TOLD THEM TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED FROM THE ACCIDENT AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN BRUISES AND NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. *TR
CONSUMER'S DAD PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL THAT HAVE FAULTY TIRES AND OTHER PROBLEMS. *NJ WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMERS DAD HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE DOOR SEAL NEEDED TO REPLACED AND THE BATTERY DIED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO LEFT STRANDED WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES DISINTEGRATED. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM HER DAD AND WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER TIRE FAILED. *JB
DASHBOARD IN 2005 ACURA TL CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HOUSES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TR
MY 2005 ACURA TL AS WELL AS MY FIANCE'S 2004 ACURA TL HAVE DEVELOPED DASHBOARD CRACKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACES AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE AIRBAGS EXPLODING UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO THIS AS IT SEEMS PRESSURE IN THE AIRBAG IS PUSHING UP THE DASH. WE'VE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER TL OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ACURA IS RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND QUOTES WELL IN EXCESS OF $1000 JUST FOR THE LABOR TO FIX A CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART THAT MAY HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR
ENGINE NOISE: A VIBRATION AND LOW BUZZING SOUND IN 5TH GEAR CAUSED BY NORMAL ENGINE VIBRATION AT AROUND 1,500 RPM, REQUIRING A VIBRATION DAMPER NEAR THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT. ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL AT NORMAL HIGHWAYS SPEED LIMITS. AND CAUSING TIRES TO CUP AND GET BALD. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON FREEWAY CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC DUE TO VIBRATION FROM FRONT AND REAR BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND A TROUBLE CODE FOR THE COOLANT SENSOR MAY BE STORED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE GLITCH IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE BRAKES: BRAKE PEDAL MAY FEEL SPONGY OR HAVE EXCESSIVE TRAVEL DUE TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE VSA MODULATOR. (2004-06) TOTAL REPAIR COST SO FAR... ITEM NAME REPAIR COST A/C COMPRESSOR $1,320 ALTERNATOR $780 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OR TRANSAXLE $3,460 BRAKES $1,320 EXHAUST SYSTEM $890 RADIATOR $920 SHOCKS AND/OR STRUTS $3,200 TIMING CHAIN OR BELT $1,050. *TR
I BOUGHT A SET OF DUNLOP 235/45R17 SP SPORT SIGNATURE TIRES IN FEBRAURY, 2008 -- AND REPLACED ONE OF THEM IN SEPTEMBER 2008 DUE TO UNRELATED ISSUE. IN EARLY JULY, 2009, ONLY ABOUT 17 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT AFTER I MADE MY INTIAL PURCHASE, AND LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT 4TH TIRE, THE SIDEWALL BEGAN TO DETERIORATE (ON THE NEWER 4TH TIRE) AND THE TREAD BEGAN SEPERATING FROM ONE OF THE OTHER 3 TIRES. HAD MY MECHANIC (DOING A BRAKE JOB) NOT NOTICED THE DEFECT, I COULD'VE EASILY HAD A BLOW-OUT AND SERIOUS INJURY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE TIRE STORE WHEN I BOUGHT ALL 5 TIRES. THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND FOUND THAT ALL 4 WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY CALLED GOODYEAR/DUNLOP (I SPOKE WITH MARY IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT.) GOODYEAR/DUNLOP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALL 4 REMAINING TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND INITIALLY DEMANDED $200 TO REPLACE ALL 4 OF THE DEFECTIVE DUNLOP TIRES (WHICH I ORIGINALY PAID $1,000 FOR). EVENTIALLY I AGREED TO PAY $120.51, BUT I STILL THINK I GOT SCREWED. MEANWHILE, THERE'S NO RECALL NOTICE, BUT CLEARLY THESE ARE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *TR
2005 ACURA TL BATTERY DIES UNEXPECTED LEAVING MOTORIST STRANDED, 2ND BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS HANDS FREE PHONE LINK DOES NOT RELEASE. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS BATTERY DIEING PROBLEM ON INTERNET FORUMS. *TR
I AM HAPPY THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. I OWN A 2005 ACURA TL BASE AND MY DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIRBAG IS SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY HAS CRACKS IN IT. IT SEEMS ALL 04-05 ACURA TL MODELS ARE STARTING TO NOTICE THESE CRACKS. *TR
PURCHASED NEW 11/2004, 2005 ACURA TL. DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. ACURA WILL NOT REPLACE AS THE 4YR/50K WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. WAS ADVISED FURTHER CRACKING MAY EFFECT AIRBAG FUNCTION. ESTIMATE ON REPAIR , $1800.00. *TR
MY 2005 ACURA TL'S DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES CONSISTENT WITH THE SAME CRACKS ON '04 MODELS. THE CRACKS GO RIGHT AROUND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I'M CONCERNED IT'S GOING TO WEAKEN THE SEAMS ON THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE CRACKS BEGAN LAST SUMMER ('09) AND CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SIMPLY DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT POOR QUALITY GOODS AS THE REASON TO REPLACE. THE CRACKS ARE IDENTICAL TO MANY AS SEEN ON WEB MESSAGE BOARDS. *TR
DASHBOARD CRACKS 2-12 INCHES IN LENGTH. CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. COULD CRACKS EFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT? *TR
I OWN AN 2005 ACURA TL BOUGHT 2 YEARS AGO FROM AN ACURA DEALER,LIKE A YEAR AGO THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK NOW IT HAS CRACKS ALL OVER INCLUDING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IM CONCERNED THIS COULD MAKE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY INCORRECTLY,I CALLED ACURA AND TOLD THEM MY CONCERNED BUT THEY DON'T SHARE MY OPINION THE ONLY THEY COULD OFFER ME ITS A 'GOODWILL' 40% DISCOUNT ON THE PART NOT THE LABOR LEAVING ME $1643 TO PAY FOR PROBABLY THE SAME DASHBOARD THAT ITS GOING TO LAST ME ANOTHER 3 YEARS. *TR
WE'VE SERVICED OUR VEHICLE REGULARLY AND AS RECENTLY AS 2 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AT THE DEALERSHIP (ONCE FOR SERVICE AND THE OTHER FOR A RECALL) AND 1 TIME AT AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT HONDA FOUND THE FLUID TO BE GOOD AND SAID "THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT NEED SERVICE... HAVE IT CHECKED AT APPROXIMATELY 62,000MILES, WHICH WE DID. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FLUSHED AND THE FLUID REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 62,000 MILES. THE CAR IS A 2005 ACURA TL. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN A NEARBY MOTORIST DIRECTED US TO PULL OVER. APPARENTLY THERE WAS SMOKE FUMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AT THAT POINT THERE WERE SEVERE POWER FLUCTUATIONS AND THE CAR REV'D OVER 5000 RPMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISCHARGED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FLUID AND NEARLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE ASSESSED INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN MONTCLAIR. BOTH FOUND THE TRANSMISSION TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT AND INOPERABLE. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE ACURA TL TRANSMISSION THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND/OR CAR FIRES. *TR
1) IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS AT 105,000 MILES. 2) THE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION OF ACURA TL 2005. 3) PART REPAIRED AND COST $4000 FROM ACURA DEALER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING AND GRINDING NOISE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS BENT OUTWARDS FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DEALER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 04/24/09.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPON DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, IT PULLED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIGNAOSED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT, BY SAYING IT WAS THE TORQUE STEER. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONSUMER STILL CONTINED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF OR GRIND INTO THIRD GEAR. THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. IT RIPPED OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT, BENT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, DAMAGED THE BODY AND LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE ROAD. UPDATED 04/29/09.*JB
NO ACCIDENT - NOTICED ON OR ABOUT 12-26-2008 THAT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, WHEN ON, DISPLAYING A PURPLE LIKE TINT- LOW-BEAM. 12-29-2008, BULB/LIGHT SYSTEM FAILED. DEALER - 12/31/2008 STATES IGNITER, INVERTER AND POSSIBLE BULB FAILED. REPAIR 1000.00 PLUS. INVERTER AND IGNITER 700.00 + WITHOUT BULB. BULB 200.00 +. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A 3-4 YEAR OLD DEALER ONLY VEHICLE PARTS SERVICE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (684SOUTH), AND MY CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2005 ACURA TL. AS I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR HAD NO MOTION. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND I CALLED AAA TO TOW MY CAR. THE COMPANY THAT TOWED MY CAR HAD INSPECTED MY CAR THE FOLLOWING DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT I WAS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAD THEN CALLED AAMCO IN MAHOPAC, NY, THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSIONS, TO GET A SECOND OPINION. AFTER MAKING A TRANSCAN, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, WHERE IT CAUSED A GREAT AMOUNT OF HEAT AFFECTING THE TURBINE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE GEARS AND CONVERTER CLUTCH TO BREAK DOWN. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY CARS MADE BY HONDA AND ACURA. THEREFORE, I AM RESPECTFULLY ASKING YOUR ORGANIZATION TO INVESTIGATE IF THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR, WHICH I PURCHASED AT 25,000 MILES, AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, IT HAPPENED AT 75,000, WHERE I WAS DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
ACURA HAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THEIR POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE. I HAVE A 5 HOUR ROUND TRIP TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO ACCOMMODATE THIS ISSUE THROUGH THEIR SCHEDULING - IF THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RECALL (THEIR ISSUE) THAT CAN LEAD TO A FIRE AS THEY SAY, THEY NEED TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO ACCOMPLISH THE RECALL IN A TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE MANNER. *TR
PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA TL A-SPEC 6-SPEED MANUAL IN 2007. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000. SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF 3RD GEAR SEVERAL TIMES EACH WEEK WHILE DRIVING. *TR
THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING MY TL BRAND NEW I NOTICED SMALL CRACKS ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. MY ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKS ON IT. IT WOULD MAYBE MAKE SENSE IF MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT IS IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE ELEMENTS CANNOT GET TO IT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO. WHEN I PAY $40,000 FOR A CAR I DO NOT EXPECT THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN REMEDY THE SITUATION. SO, IF YOU CAN GIVE ME ANY IDEAS THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I SEE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON PROBLEM AND ONE THAT ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE. I WILL DEFINITELY NOT BUY ANOTHER ACURA IF THIS IS THE CASE. I TRULY THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A SUPERIOR PRODUCT WHEN I PURCHASED THE TL BUT IT TURNS OUT I WAS WRONG. IF THEY WANT YOU COMPARE THEMSELVES TO BMW AND LEXUS, THEN THEY BETTER STEP UP THEIR GAME. *TR
THE AUTOMOBILE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH AN INTERMITTENT SHIFTING PROBLEM. SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT AND "POP OUT" OF THE SHIFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND DECELERATION. WHEN THIS OCCURS ON ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC, A NEAR ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AS THE CAR HAS SLOWED DOWN IN MERGING TRAFFIC. THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (08-018) THAT REQUIRES THE DEALER/SERVICE PROVIDER TO "DRIVE A KNOWN-GOOD VEHICLE" AND COMPARE WITH THE CLIENT'S VEHICLE, AND REPLACE TRANSMISSION PARTS IF NOTICEABLE SHIFT QUALITY DIFFERENCES. REPEATED EFFORTS TO GET THE DEALER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT (FAULTY SYNCHRONIZER) HAVE RESULTED IN "NO PROBLEM FOUND". *TR
THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING THAT I GOT REPAIRED IN SPRING 2008. I CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY POWER STEERING AND HAVE HAD IT REPLACE MAYBE TWICE SINCE 2008. *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HEAT ON THE HIGH SETTING, THE CENTER CONSOLE BECAME HOT AND BURNED HER FOREARM. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME THE HEAT IS PLACED ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,816 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,500. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF UPDATED 04/23/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, IT BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE VIBRATED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. LATER THAT WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK SLOWLY IN THE MORNINGS. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR, FUEL RATIO SENSOR, AND THE ALTERNATOR BELT WERE ALL REPLACED. AFTER THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. REMAILED 12/05/08
6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS SYNCHRONIZED POORLY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 3RD & 4TH GEAR SMOOTHLY AND SOMETIMES WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE SHIFTED SUFFICIENTLY. *TR
TIRE SPECS -GOODYEAR EAGLE 235/45ZR17 94Y S2 EAGLE RESPONSE EDGE VSB ON 2005 ACURA TL WITH VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING. I RECENTLY REPLACED MY TIRES WITH GOODYEAR RESPONSE EDGE CARBON FIBER SIDEWALL TIRES. THESE TIRES PLAYED HAVOC WITH THE VAS SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CENTERED. IN FACT THE CENTERING CHANGED THROUGHOUT A DRIVE. CORNERING, ON ACCELERATION, THE CAR TURNED ABRUPTLY INTO THE CORNER, ON BREAKING THE CAR TURNED OUT OF THE CORNER WITHOUT MOVING THE WHEEL. REPLACED TIRES WITH DUNLAP SP 5000 WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM TIRE SPECS -GOODYEAR EAGLE 235/45ZR17 94Y S2 EAGLE RESPONSE EDGE VSB. *TR
2005 ACURA TL I HAVE HAD A PROBLEUM WITH THE STERRING SINCE DAY 1 I HAVE BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALEALER 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR IN THE BEGING THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS FINE BUT THEN THE PROBLEUM STARTED AN THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DHELP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
HIT A CURB GOING 20-30 MPH (NOT FULL-ON, THOUGH). BLEW TIRE AND CAUSE SLIGHT ALIGNMENT ISSUE, AS EXPECTED. HOWEVER, NEXT DAY NOTICED THREE LARGE DENTS NEXT TO MY SUNROOF. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND DISCOVERED THE ROOF FLEXED WHEN I HIT THE CURB AND THE ENTIRE ROOF PANEL HAS TO BE REPLACED. FOR HITTING A CURB? WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME IF I HAD ACTUALLY HIT SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL? NO WAY SHOULD A CONSUMER INCUR A $5000+ REPAIR BILL FOR CLIPPING A CURB OR HITTING A POTHOLE. FOUND OTHER ACURA OWNERS COMPLAINING ON BLOGS ABOUT THE SAME THING. COSTLY FOR A MINOR ACCIDENT. *JB