VehicleVerdict

2000 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 325 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median TL year — the 2000 model ranks #6 of 20 TL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 116 reports (36% of the total).

325

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other TL years?

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11636%
Airbags6620%
Visibility & Wipers309%
Electrical System299%
Other155%
Engine144%
Brakes134%
Speed Control124%
Seat Belts62%
Lighting62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Body & Structure41%
Suspension31%
Steering21%
Fuel System21%
Seats10%

Does the 2000 Acura TL have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

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.

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

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 TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

02V080000AirbagsMarch 14, 2002 · 2,900 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMPONENT IN THE INFLATOR OF SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE AFFECTED AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 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.

01V166002Seat BeltsAugust 14, 2001 · 8,168 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WITH INCORRECT PARTS: 2002 ACURA 3.2TL SEDANS WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED PER RECALL 01V-166001; CERTAIN 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS; AND CERTAIN 2000-2002 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS. REPAIRS WERE MADE FROM MARCH 9 THROUGH JULY 27, 2001. SOME OF THE NONCOMPLIANT BUCKLES WERE MISLABELED AND REDISTRIBUTED TO ACURA DEALERS TO BE USED AS RECALL REPAIR PARTS. HONDA ALSO DETERMINED THAT INCORRECT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE USED FOR SOME PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS OF 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES, AND WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS OF 2000-2002 3.2TL VEHICLES. THESE SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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 ACURA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA .THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 20, 2010 · crash

TAKATA RECALL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: AIR BAG DEPLOYED RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING RIGHT SIDE BEFORE THE CRASH. BECAUSE OF DEPLOYMENT OF RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG IT CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO BE DEPLOYED. CAR WAS EXITING HIGHWAY RAMP WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DOCUMENTED INS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 24, 2017 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR LEAKED A TOXIC SUBSTANCE (OVER SIX MONTHS AGO) OVER THE SEAT AND ONTO THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE GEAR SHIFTER. THERE WAS AN ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SUBSTANCE LEFT A BURN MARK ON THE CONTACT. THE SUBSTANCE ALSO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 2016 · fire

TAKATA RECALL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: AIR BAG DEPLOYED RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING RIGHT SIDE BEFORE THE CRASH. BECAUSE OF DEPLOYMENT OF RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG IT CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO BE DEPLOYED. CAR WAS EXITING HIGHWAY RAMP WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DOCUMENTED INS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 24, 2017 · crash

PURCHASED 2002 ACURA BRAND NEW. DURING AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DURING CRASH. ACURA 3.2 TL WAS FEATURED TO BE A SAFE VEHICLE IN ADVERTISEMENTS. IT HAD FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS. ACURA IS COMBINING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 7, 2002 · crash

2000 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2000 Acura TL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 325 complaints put the 2000 model at #6 of 20 TL years. It is one of the TL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (116 complaints), airbags (66 complaints), visibility & wipers (30 complaints).

Does the 2000 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Acura TL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Acura TL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TL years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2006, 2000. The cleanest record among TL years belongs to 1995.

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.