MYRModel Year Report

2004 Acura TL

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Acura TL
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
551
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2004: 551 complaints 2004 551 2005: 388 complaints 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2004: 551 complaints 2004 551 2005: 388 complaints 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1996 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2000 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2002 2003: 391 complaints 2003 2004: 551 complaints 2004 551 2005: 388 complaints 2005 2006: 247 complaints 2006 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2014

2004: 551 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199626
199723
199820
1999157
2000249
2001149
2002333
2003391
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

42% · 232 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

36% · 199 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

10% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While on a hill to make a left turn a supermarket the transmission started to make a loud noise and the car started rolling backward with the shifter in drive in drive mode.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-20

Tires

9% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-24

The vibration in the bridgestone EL42 turanza tires on 2004 Acura TL resulted in accident in February 2004 and $1500 worth of undercarriage damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-20

Steering

6% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and pump.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The steering shaft assembly and control arms that connect to the tie rods, sway bars and links to cv axle and I beleive rack and pinion suspension came apart from the tires and caused me to lose control of my vehicle with my child as a passenger...

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-31

Also filed under Suspension

While making a right turn the vehicle turned left on its own. The consumer applied the brakes, but the pedal went to the floor and the brakes locked up on the vehicle. This caused the consmer to loose control of the vehicle and hit a curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-16

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 551 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic…

    Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2007-11-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-03-05 Windshield wiper motor failure
  4. R
    2008-04-28Visibility08V092000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2008-04-28Steering08V091000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2011-07-20Suspension11E022000 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 to…

    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 July…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Acura TL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 232 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 199 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 57 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 08V092000 · Visibility
  • Recall 08V091000 · Steering
  • Recall 11E022000 · Suspension
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Acura TL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Acura TL is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Acura TL?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TL have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.