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Acura · Known Issues

1999 Acura TL Problems: 5 Known Issues

1999 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Acura TL has 5 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Ignition Interlock Recall (05V025000) — Key Removable Without Shifting to Park, Ignition Switch Wear Allows Key Removal Without Shifting to Park (Recall 03V423000), Ignition Switch Contact Wear Causing Sudden Stalling — Recall 02V120000, 1999-2000 3.2TL NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) and 1999 3.2TL 5-speed auto was the start of the famous Acura V6 transmission failures ($2,500-$4,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $2,500 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • TL Electrical3
  • TL Safety/Recalls1
  • TL Transmission1
  • Recalls8
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Electrical3
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Transmission1
  • Recalls8
  • FAQ

All 5 Known Issues

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On the 1999-2000 Acura TL, 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.

Common Symptoms

  • Ignition key can be turned to the "OFF" position while the transmission is not in Park
  • Key can be removed from the ignition without shifting into Park
  • Vehicle rolls after the key is removed if the parking brake was not engaged

How to Fix

This is a free safety recall repair. Take the TL to any Acura dealer and reference NHTSA campaign 05V025000. The dealer performs an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function, and the vehicle is updated with a redesigned interlock lever at no charge. The recall began March 7, 2005, so many cars were repaired long ago — check your specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether the remedy was ever completed on your car. Acura owner support is 1-800-382-2238 (Honda: 1-800-999-1009). Until the work is done, make a habit of shifting fully into Park and setting the parking brake every time you stop.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 1999 Acura TL, 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.

Common Symptoms

  • Ignition key can be turned to "OFF" and removed while the transmission is still not in Park
  • Key-to-park interlock does not hold the key in place as designed
  • Vehicle rolls after the key is removed if the parking brake was not set

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Acura dealer. The dealer follows an inspection procedure that measures how much the ignition cylinder body has worn. If significant wear is found, they replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate; if no wear is found, they install a redesigned latch plate. Owner notification began December 8, 2003. Acura owners can call 1-800-382-2238, and you can confirm whether your specific TL is still open on this campaign by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 1999 Acura TL, 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.

Common Symptoms

  • Engine stalls suddenly and without warning while driving
  • Loss of engine power at speed

How to Fix

The remedy is a free ignition switch replacement at an authorized Acura dealer — the dealer removes the worn switch and installs a new one at no charge to the owner. Owner notification for this campaign began June 14, 2002, but an unrepaired 1999 TL remains eligible, so enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether the switch was ever replaced. If a dealer has agreed to a service date and the free repair is not performed within a reasonable time, Acura owner support can be reached at 1-800-382-2238.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 1999-2000 Acura TL, 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 recall many TL owners already know about, and both can apply to the same car. 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.

How to Fix

The fix costs the owner nothing. An Acura dealer inspects the driver frontal airbag inflator and replaces it with an inflator of a different design if replacement is needed. The recall began October 1, 2020, and a car this age has often outlived its registered-owner records, so check the VIN yourself at nhtsa.gov/recalls rather than waiting for a notice. American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center can be reached at 1-888-234-2138.

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 1999 Acura TL 3.2L V6 J32A1, 1999 was the launch year of the 2nd-gen TL with the 3.2L J32A V6 and a new 5-speed automatic. 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). The 1996-1998 TL uses the older 4-speed automatic which is generally reliable; the failure pattern is specifically the 5AT introduced for 1999. If you are car-shopping a 1999 TL, the model year alone does not tell you which transmission you have — the early-1999 carryover may have the older 4AT while the mid-year 2nd-gen launch got the 5AT. Check the build date and trans serial to know.

This issue also affects: Acura CL, Acura ILX, Acura MDX

Common Symptoms

  • Flaring on 2nd-to-3rd or 3rd-to-4th upshifts
  • Harsh 'thunk' downshifts when slowing
  • Slipping in 3rd gear under load
  • Transmission shudder at highway cruise
  • Burnt-smell or dark transmission fluid
  • Check engine light with P0700-series transmission codes
  • Complete loss of forward drive (catastrophic stage)

How to Fix

If you own a 1999 TL with the 5AT and it's slipping, flaring on shifts, or showing harsh 1-2 / 2-3 changes: STOP driving aggressively immediately. The damage compounds quickly. Get a transmission specialist (not a dealer) to drop the pan and check for clutch material in the fluid. If found, the only durable fix is a rebuilt transmission ($2,500-4,000) — not a fluid change, not a solenoid swap. The original Honda warranty extension to 7/100k expired in 2006, so out-of-pocket cost is now on the owner. Many owners install an aftermarket transmission cooler with the rebuild — the original spec is undersized for the load and contributed to the failure pattern. Avoid 'flush' services — pressurized flushes on a worn transmission accelerate failure by dislodging clutch debris.

Owner tips & cautions

  • WarningDo NOT 'flush' a worn 5AT. Pressurized flushes dislodge clutch debris from the case and accelerate the death of a struggling transmission. Drop and fill with manual fluid changes only.
  • TipAlways add an aftermarket transmission cooler with any rebuild. The factory cooler is undersized for this transmission's load and was a contributing factor to the original failure pattern.
  • TipWhen shopping a 1999 TL used, check the build date and transmission serial number. Cars built before the mid-year 2nd-gen launch have the older 4-speed and are far more reliable.
Typical repair cost:$2,500 - $4,500

Research This Issue

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Manually Verified
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed May 2026
NHTSA Recalls8 recalls

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Campaign #20V02600017/01/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Campaign #02V12000016/05/2002

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Acura TL problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Acura TL has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ignition Interlock Recall (05V025000) — Key Removable Without Shifting to Park, Ignition Switch Wear Allows Key Removal Without Shifting to Park (Recall 03V423000), Ignition Switch Contact Wear Causing Sudden Stalling — Recall 02V120000. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Acura TL reliable?

The 1999 Acura TL has 5 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Ignition Interlock Recall (05V025000) — Key Removable Without Shifting to Park and Ignition Switch Wear Allows Key Removal Without Shifting to Park (Recall 03V423000) and Ignition Switch Contact Wear Causing Sudden Stalling — Recall 02V120000 and 1999-2000 3.2TL NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) and 1999 3.2TL 5-speed auto was the start of the famous Acura V6 transmission failures. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Acura TL problems?

Repair costs for known Acura TL issues range from $2,500 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1999-2000 Acura TL Ignition Interlock Recall (05V025000) — Key Removable Without Shifting to Park?

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 tho… Severity: high.

What is the 1999 Acura TL Ignition Switch Wear Allows Key Removal Without Shifting to Park (Recall 03V423000)?

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

Campaign #05V02500028/01/2005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Campaign #03V42300027/10/2003

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Campaign #20V02700017/01/2020

+ 3 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

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 "OF… Severity: high.

What is the 1999 Acura TL Ignition Switch Contact Wear Causing Sudden Stalling — Recall 02V120000?

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. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2000 Acura TL 1999-2000 3.2TL NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000)?

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… Severity: high.

What is the 1999 Acura TL 1999 3.2TL 5-speed auto was the start of the famous Acura V6 transmission failures?

1999 was the launch year of the 2nd-gen TL with the 3.2L J32A V6 and a new 5-speed automatic. 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 com… Repairs typically run $2,500-$4,500. Severity: high.