VehicleVerdict

2009 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Acura TL sits mid-pack among TL years: 51 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 165, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (37% of the total).

51

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other TL years?

TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted766 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 33 complaints1997: 29 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 197 complaints2000: 325 complaints2001: 163 complaints2002: 403 complaints2003: 466 complaints2004: 766 complaints2005: 550 complaints2006: 342 complaints2007: 167 complaints2008: 181 complaints2009: 51 complaints2010: 75 complaints2011: 23 complaints2012: 162 complaints2013: 73 complaints2014: 17 complaints
TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1937%
Body & Structure714%
Visibility & Wipers612%
Transmission510%
Electrical System36%
Fuel System24%
Steering24%
Brakes24%
Engine24%
Driver Assistance12%
Seats12%
Other12%

Does the 2009 Acura TL have recalls?

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

19V500000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 1,558 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

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.

16V061000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HAND AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 2, 2016 · crash

“I JUST BOUGHT THE ACURA TL 2009 AT 4/23/2013 AND WITH A MONTH DRIVING THE CAR THE PAINT BEGIN CRACKING ,FADING AND PEELING IN THE ALL BODY PART OF THE CAR AND I LOOK UGLY WHEN YOU LOOK THE CAR FROM ANY VIEW NO MATTER IF RAINING OR SUNNY YOU STILL SEE THE CRACKING IN THE CAR AND GETTING UGLY DAY BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 14, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CONTAINED SEVERAL CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 29, 2014

“VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES, VERY HEAVILY, WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, LIKE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ABRUPTLY, OR FROM FIRST OF SECOND GEAR, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS OR WHEN USING A FREEWAY ENTRANCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 11, 2018

“The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2025

2009 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2009 Acura TL reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 51 NHTSA complaints, below the typical TL year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (19 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints).

Does the 2009 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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.