1996-2014 Acura TL Problems: 14 Known Issues

NHTSA recall campaign 05V025000 covers 1999 and 2000 Acura TL sedans among the vehicles affected. On these cars the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, so it is possible to turn the ignition key to the "OFF" position and pull the key out even though the transmission has not been shifted into Park. Normally the interlock blocks that, and many TL owners rely on the key coming out as their cue that the car is safely parked. NHTSA lists 486,659 units affected, but that figure is campaign-wide across every Honda and Acura model included — it is not a count of TLs. The safety concern is a rollaway: if the driver removes the key without shifting to Park and also does not set the parking brake, the TL can roll and a crash could occur.

NHTSA recall 03V423000 covers the 1999 Acura TL, along with other Honda and Acura passenger cars and minivans, for excessive wear inside the ignition switch. As the cylinder body wears, the key-to-park interlock stops doing its job on the TL, so the driver can turn the key to "OFF" and pull it out even though the shifter is still in a drive gear rather than Park. The campaign covers 563,861 vehicles in total across every model included in the recall. The safety concern is what happens after the driver walks away: with the transmission not in Park and the parking brake not set, the TL can roll away on its own and cause a crash.

The 1999 Acura TL is covered by NHTSA recall campaign 02V120000, which addresses degradation of the electrical contacts inside the ignition switch. Every time the TL is started, high electrical current passes through the switch, and over time that current wears the contacts down. Once the contacts are worn, the engine can stall without warning while the car is being driven. NHTSA lists roughly 1,000,000 units for the campaign as a whole — that figure covers all of the Honda and Acura sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and SUVs included in the recall, not the TL alone.

Acura 3.2TL sedans from the 1999 and 2000 model years are recalled under NHTSA campaign 20V026000. The driver frontal airbag in these cars uses a Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflator (NADI), a type that uses no phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant — meaning this recall is not the same as the PSAN inflator recalls on later Honda and Acura models; NHTSA lists no PSAN inflator recall for the 1999-2000 TL. A manufacturing defect allows the NADI inflator to absorb moisture. If the driver airbag deploys in a crash, a moisture-affected inflator may rupture, propelling metal fragments into the cabin at the driver or other occupants; alternatively, the airbag cushion may underinflate and not protect the driver as intended. Either way, the risk of serious injury or death goes up. Honda's filing covers 1,439,841 vehicles campaign-wide across all the Honda, Acura and Isuzu models involved.

2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL owners already dealing with airbag recall history have a separate campaign to check: NHTSA 20V027000. It targets TLs that were given a replacement driver frontal air bag module during a vehicle repair. Those replacement modules used a NADI inflator that, because of a manufacturing issue, may absorb moisture. A moisture-contaminated inflator may rupture instead of inflating normally, and NHTSA warns that rupture can drive metal fragments into the driver or other occupants. The alternative failure is quieter but also dangerous — the cushion underinflates and does not properly protect the occupant. Both outcomes only reveal themselves in a crash, which is why the recall matters even though the car drives normally. The 875,966 units cited are the campaign total across every Acura and Honda model in it.

These TL model years were included in the major Takata airbag inflator recalls affecting many Honda and Acura vehicles. In a deployment, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, creating a severe injury or death risk. This is one of the most serious documented safety issues for the generation and remains relevant if recall work was never completed.

The third-generation TL automatic transmission, especially on 2004-2005 models, draws many owner reports of 3rd gear clutch pack failure, often between 80,000-120,000 miles. The 3rd gear clutch pack burns out due to insufficient fluid flow and a weak pressure regulator design, causing the transmission to slip, flare, or refuse to engage 3rd gear entirely.

1999 was the launch year of the 2nd-gen TL with the 3.2L J32A V6 and a 4-speed automatic (the 5-speed automatic arrived for 2000). This transmission family turned into one of the worst Acura defects of the early 2000s — torque converter failure, 3rd-gear clutch pack burn-up, blocked oil passages from debris, and complete failure became common. American Honda extended the transmission and torque converter warranties in 2003 (per TSB 02-027, which lists the 1999 TL). The first-generation (1996-1998) TL uses the older 4-speed automatic which is generally reliable; the 1999 TL's 4-speed is covered by the same bulletin as the later 5-speed. Every 1999 TL is a 2nd-gen car with the 4-speed automatic; there was no 1st-gen 1999 carryover.

The 3.7L J37 V6 used in many TL SH-AWD models has a documented pattern of excessive oil consumption, sometimes leading to low oil level warnings, misfires, and spark plug fouling. Acura/Honda issued warranty extensions and service information for affected V6 engines in this family due to piston ring-related oil consumption. Owners often notice the engine using significant oil between changes, and if ignored, the condition can progress to rough running and catalyst damage risk.

If you own a 1996, 1997 or 1998 Acura TL, NHTSA recall 99V069000 may apply to your car's front suspension — it covers certain TLs built between May 1996 and February 1998. Acura recalled the front lower ball joints because they can wear out ahead of their intended service life; in the worst case the joint separates entirely and the front suspension collapses. NHTSA's stated consequence for the driver is that the vehicle decelerates with a sudden loss of power and steering controllability is reduced — a serious situation at road speed. This is a safety recall, not a service bulletin, so the fix is owed to you by the dealer. The 124,875 unit figure NHTSA lists applies to the campaign as a whole, across all vehicles named in it.

The dashboard material on 2004-2008 TL models develops deep cracks and a sticky, melting surface texture from prolonged sun exposure. The issue is caused by the plasticizer in the dashboard material breaking down under UV light, creating an unsightly and sometimes reflective surface that can obstruct the driver view.

The high-pressure power steering hose on the TL deteriorates prematurely from prolonged high under-hood temperatures, then cracks and leaks; Honda recalled 2004-2008 TLs for this under NHTSA campaign 08V091000. The power steering fluid drips onto the hot catalytic converter, creating a burning smell and visible smoke, and in the worst case an under-hood fire. The leak typically appears between 80,000-120,000 miles.

TL SH-AWD models are known for rear differential noise, typically a whining, moaning, or groaning sound during low-speed turns or steady cruising. Owners commonly tie this to differential fluid deterioration or the wrong fluid type, and a February 2011 Acura Service News article ('Rear Differential Noise After a Fluid Change? Check the Fluid') addressed noise after a fluid change by pointing to the fluid. In some cases it comes from internal wear if the condition is ignored. The issue is specific to SH-AWD-equipped cars and often improves temporarily or permanently after fluid service with the correct Acura fluid.

Many TL owners report front brake judder, steering wheel shake, and pulsation under moderate braking, often traced to uneven rotor deposits or rotor distortion. The heavier curb weight of the TL, combined with driving style and pad/rotor material, appears to make the front brakes prone to repeat issues. Complaints and forum reports show some owners needing multiple resurfacing or replacement jobs over the life of the car.