2004 Acura TL

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2004 Acura TL
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

2004: 551 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	1
1996	26
1997	23
1998	20
1999	157
2000	249
2001	149
2002	332
2003	391
2004	551
2005	388
2006	247
2007	124
2008	124
2009	42
2010	64
2011	20
2012	130
2013	62
2014	17

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STRUCTURE 42%

42% of complaints: structure — 232 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 36%

36% of complaints: air bags — 199 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASH FIRE

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, 20121120

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20050324

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, 20040820

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and pump.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20150731

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, 20040816

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 551

R 20040427 — power train

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 TRANSMISSIO

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 T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20071129 — PE (closed 20080305)

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE

R 20080428 — visibility

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, IT

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 ENTERI

Campaign 08V092000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080428 — steering

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

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

Campaign 08V091000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110720 — suspension

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 A

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 2

Campaign 11E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191209 — vehicle speed control

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.

Campaign 19E068000 — check if this car was fixed