VehicleVerdict

2006 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 342 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median TL year — the 2006 model ranks #5 of 20 TL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (85), body & structure (64), and other (47), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

342

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other TL years?

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags8525%
Body & Structure6419%
Other4714%
Electrical System3711%
Steering278%
Transmission196%
Brakes134%
Tires & Wheels103%
Engine93%
Speed Control93%
Suspension93%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Lighting51%
Seats10%
Seat Belts10%
Fuel System10%

Does the 2006 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).

06V270000OtherJuly 26, 2006 · 1,190,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.

Consequence

THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

05V510000AirbagsNovember 3, 2005 · 316 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ON THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM WHERE THE TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS IS MOUNTED, NEAR THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.

Consequence

IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN OR FALL OUT, THE SENSOR MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY DETECT A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DELAYED OR NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAG INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REMOVE THE BUMPER AND RETORQUE THE LOOSE BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 AND ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ITS FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SUPPORT BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 11, 2007 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ITS FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SUPPORT BAR DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 11, 2007 · crash

MY 2006 ACURA TL DASHBOARD CRACKED AFTER BAD SNOW STORM HERE. THERE ARE MANY CRACKS AND THE DEEPEST IS VERTICAL ALONGSIDE AIRBAG. ACURA IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND NOT CORRECTING DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY JUST NEVER EXPOSED TO FRIGID WEATHER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 9, 2018

MY CAR (ACURA TL 2006) CAUGHT FIRE ON 11/09/2007 AT 10:00PM CST WHILE PASSING BY A MCDONALDS DRIVE THROUGH; AT 6233 N BROADWAY, CHICAGO IL. THE MCDONALDS CASHIER FIRST NOTICED THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND POINTED IT OUT TO ME. I PULLED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 9, 2007 · fire

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUB-FRAME FAILED. THE METAL HAD FATIGUE IN THE AREA WHERE THE COMPLIANCE BUSHING IS MOUNTED. IF THIS PART FAILED COMPLETELY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS OF STEERING AND CONTROL. PART FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED AT HONDA DEALERSHIP WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 13, 2014

2006 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2006 Acura TL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 342 complaints put the 2006 model at #5 of 20 TL years. It is one of the TL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (85 complaints), body & structure (64 complaints), other (47 complaints).

Does the 2006 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.