VehicleVerdict

1999 Acura TL electrical system problems

The 1999 Acura TL has 61 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 31% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

61

Electrical System complaints

31%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

TL electrical system complaints by model year61 complaints1996: 4 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 61 complaints2000: 29 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 15 complaints2003: 17 complaints2004: 22 complaints2005: 32 complaints2006: 37 complaints2007: 29 complaints2008: 18 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 2 complaints2012: 15 complaints2013: 9 complaints
TL electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V025000Electrical SystemJanuary 28, 2005 · 486,659 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

03V423000Electrical SystemOctober 27, 2003 · 563,861 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

02V120000Electrical SystemMay 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 3.2TL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES STOPPED OPERATING AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER UNTIL THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL #…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 8, 2007 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1999 Acura TL have?

NHTSA has 61 complaints about the 1999 Acura TL electrical system — 31% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Acura TL electrical system?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 02V120000, 03V423000, 05V025000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.