VehicleVerdict

2004 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 766 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.7 times the median TL year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 20 TL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 232 reports (30% of the total).

766

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other TL years?

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure23230%
Airbags19926%
Transmission577%
Tires & Wheels557%
Other557%
Steering355%
Suspension304%
Electrical System223%
Visibility & Wipers213%
Brakes162%
Engine111%
Lighting101%
Seats91%
Speed Control61%
Fuel System51%
Seat Belts30%

Does the 2004 Acura TL have recalls?

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

19E068000Speed ControlOctober 10, 2019 · 3,744 units

Defect

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Consequence

If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

19V182000AirbagsMarch 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 units

Defect

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 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Consequence

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

11E022000SuspensionJune 22, 2011 · 150 units

Defect

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 MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE.

Consequence

MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.

08V091000SteeringFebruary 27, 2008 · 273,000 units

Defect

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 STEERING FLUID.

Consequence

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

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 (PLEASE SEE 07V551).

08V092000Visibility & WipersFebruary 27, 2008 · 129,600 units

Defect

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 CAN RESULT IN CORROSION INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING. THIS COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILS, IT WILL CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

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 ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING AND FOAM TAPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE COWL ABOVE THE WIPER MOTOR TO DIRECT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR. IF SIGNS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE OBSERVED ON THE WIPER MOTOR, THE MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED, AND THE BREATHER TUBE AND FOAM TAPE WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION ON THE NEW WIPER MOTOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS READING SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DASHBOARD IS TOTALLY CRACKED SURROUNDING THE AIRBAG AND LOOKS LIKE THE AIRBAG WILL EXPLODE ANY TIME. I WAS ACTUALLY JUST IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT DIDN'T EXPLODE, WHICH MAKES ME EVEN MORE NERVOUS. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 31, 2016 · crash

NEAR HEAD-ON COLLISION ON UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD IN HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 13, 2020. OUR CLIENT WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND HER CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED VERY SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES AND REMAINS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 13, 2020 · crash

AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 14, 2020 · fire

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 WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH VERY LUCKY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 31, 2015 · crash

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. FORTUNETLY MY CAR OR THE BROKEN WHEEL DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW CARS ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 19, 2005 · crash

2004 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2004 Acura TL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 766 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 20 TL years. It is one of the TL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (232 complaints), airbags (199 complaints), transmission (57 complaints).

Does the 2004 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Acura TL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.