2007 Acura TL

Routine

Owners filed 124 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

100 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags38
003
Electrical System20
010
Steering12
030
Structure › Body7
000
Structure6
000
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission4
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal19E068000
Filed Oct 10, 20193,744 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

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."

Risk. 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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections12V222000
Filed May 17, 2012625,762 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.

Risk. If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint11E022000
Filed Jun 22, 2011150 vehiclesAffinia Group, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections08V091000
Filed Feb 27, 2008273,000 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

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.

Risk. 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).

What owners reported

Newest filings
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise ControlCrash
Filed Apr 19, 2024NC

My ball joint separation severed the bolt holding the drive axle in place due to that the car Is damaged and I have not been able to get it back right yet

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jun 2, 202390,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the battery power was drained after driving the vehicle for less than 48-hours. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the Bluetooth in the vehicle was draining the battery. Bluetooth was disabled, but the failure recurred. The contact had since replaced the battery twice within two months, each time with the same brand of battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 3, 2023VA

The dash is cracked surrounding the passenger side airbag and is beginning to crack on the drivers side. I have contacted Acura and was assigned Case # 13709011 by email stating "We appreciate you taking the time to make us aware of your concern regarding the feature, and we understand your frustration regarding the matter. Upon further review of the circumstances regarding the issue, we were unable to find any open campaigns pertaining to this matter (e.g., safety recall, warranty extension or product update). Have you had a chance to reach out to your local preferred Honda dealership to make them aware of the issue? If not, the skilled Service Department at our dealerships are in the best position to evaluate your vehicle and determine the best available corrective action. We encourage you to contact the Service Department of your preferred (Honda/Acura) dealership for assistance with a diagnosis. Your case will be closed at this time, pending further information." Although I will follow up with my local service department I am confused/concerned that given the impact on airbag deployment and the number of complaints that I have found that NHTSA has not issued a recall to repair the dash and reinstall the airbags. I have found a number of forums https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=219662424726766&id=219398981419777&p=30 https://www.carcomplaints.com/Acura/TL/2007/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/tl/dashboard-crack-prob

Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 2023NJ

Prolonged high temperatures and/ or high humidity cause the dashboard to crack along the right side of the passenger side airbag. In a matter of days, the crack spreads all over the airbag area and dashboard. The material defect effects Acura TLs and TL TypeS from 2004-2008. Cracks in the dashboard can result in pieces of the dashboard being projected into the eyes and face of passengers once the passenger airbag deploys. The cracks allow moisture and debris into the airbag module which I believe could create the risk of a faulty airbag deployment or failing to deploy which can lead to sever injury or death

Air Bags
Filed Oct 31, 2022CA

The car dashboard is severely cracking. More specifically, there is an area on the right passenger side that has cracked outlining where the airbag is located. It is feared that due to this cracking the airbag may falsely break free at any time.

Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed Aug 30, 2022182,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that multiple cracks had formed on the dashboard, exposing the passenger’s side air bag. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dashboard was originally replaced under warranty. Recently, the contact stated that the failure returned with multiple cracks forming on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2022TX

The passenger side air bag that is located under the dashboard has caused the dashboard to crack around the outline of the air bag unit. Cracks in the dashboard can result in pieces of the dashboard being projected into the eyes and face of passengers once the passenger airbag deploys. The cracks allow moisture into the airbag module which can create the risk of a faulty airbag deployment or failing to deploy which can lead to severe injury or death. Given this cracking is extremely common in the 3rd generation TL, it must be a product defect. This dangerous defect should be repaired by Acura with a dash replacement so the air bag will function as intended at time of manufacture.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 8, 202170,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the hard-plastic dashboard material cracked near and around the location of the air bag. The contact was concerned about a safety hazard should the air bag deploy. The cause of the cracking was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 16, 2021150,000 milesCA

THE HFI UNIT/BLUETOOTH OVERHEATS OR DRAWS POWER WHEN CAR IS NOT ON. AFTER 2+ DAYS OF NOT BEING TURNED ON. IT DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 2020GA

THE BATTERY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR SITS IN ONE SPOT FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS. HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. IT DID IT AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. BUT THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS WORK OR TAKING TIME TO GO GET THE BATTERY RECHARGED EVERY WEEK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 17, 2019NJ

DTC P0171 DTCP0174 NEED TO UPDATE THE PGM-FI SOFTWARE WITH THE HDS SERVICE BULLETIN 08-043

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 2019190,000 milesDE

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REQUIRING THE DASHBOARD TO NEED REPLACING. ACURA WON'T COVER THE EXPENSE DESPITE THE FACT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND VERY DANGEROUS.

Air Bags2 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2019138,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH, THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, PASSENGER SEAT, AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SIDE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1003671. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 15, 201930,000 milesFL

CRACKED DASHBOARD

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2019107,000 milesMO

OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW 12 YEARS AGO. BATTERY ALWAYS DRAINS IF NOT DRIVEN IN 7 DAYS OR SO. CONSTANT PROBLEM THROUGH 4 BATTERIES. JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. CAR IS GARAGED. DIDN'T DRIVE IT FOR 10 DAYS. DEAD BATTERY AGAIN. BLOGS TELL ME THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH 2004-2008 ACURA TL SEDAN 6-CYL. BLOGS SAY IT IS THE HANDS FREE LINK OF BLUETOOTH THAT IS A CHRONIC DRAIN WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR IS RUNNING. SO I PARK IT IN AIRPORT PARKING, TAKE A TRIP, COME BACK AT MIDNIGHT, A WOMAN IN LONG-TERM AIRPORT PARKING, TOTALLY UNSAFE FOR ME, WAITING FOR HELP TO JUMP THE CAR. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. NOT SAFE. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING! NEXT BLOCK SAYS "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" AND ASKS FOR A SPECIFIC DATE. I WILL USE TODAY' S DATE, BUT IT HAPPENS ANYTIME I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR 7 DAYS OR SO. THE BLOGGERS ALL HAVE THE SAME IDENTICAL SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CHRONIC.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 28, 2018105,000 milesFL

THE DASH IS PREMATURLY CRACKING CAUSING PIECES TO BECOME POTENTIAL PROJECTILES IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE CRACKS MAY POSSIBLY ALSO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY. ALSO THE POWERSTEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID SEVERELY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR EVERY 2007 AND 2008 TL, BUT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED THE TYPE S WHICH IS NOW SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND POSSIBLE FIRE RISK DUE TO THE LEAKS. THE CAR ALSO HAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND NOW BEEDS MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 2018131,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH ENCLOSURE HOUSING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE TRAVELED FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONLY EVIDENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TT*JB

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 5, 2018200,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD CONTAINED WIDE CRACKS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 27, 2018TX

I AM REPORTING THIS TODAY AS I FEAR FOR SAFETY CONCERNS ON MY 2007 ACURA TL TYPE S. RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED A CRACK FORMING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOY AREA. THIS CRACK IS FORMING PERFECTLY AROUND THE FAULT DASH WHERE THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY. I FEAR FOR SAFETY AS IF THIS CRACK COMPLETELY FORMS AROUND THE AIRBAG BLAST AREA THAT A MALFUNCTION MAY HAPPEN AND THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY ITSELF. I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATION TO HAPPEN IF POSSIBLE AS I WOULD NOT WANT THE AIRBAG TO SELF DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. IF I CAN BE ANY HELP IN THIS INVESTIGATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW BUT I DO FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY ACURA.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 3, 201890,000 milesVA

THE DASHBOARD, IN THE AREAS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG, IF BEGINNING TO CRACK. DUE TO THE CRACK APPEARING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, SEEMING TO OUTLINE THE AIRBAG LOCATED UNDER THE DASH, I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND AM WAITING FOR THEM TO NOTIFY ME REGARDING "NEXT STEPS."

20 of 124 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201417300Routine
201362300Routine
2012130301Fatalities reported
201120320Routine
201064310Routine
200942300Routine
2008124470Routine
2007 — this page124450Routine
2006247620Above average
2005388730Above average
2004551660Above average
2003391541Fatalities reported
2002332721Fatalities reported
2001149320Routine
2000249630Above average
1999157442Fatalities reported
199820200Routine
199723220Routine
199626200Routine
19951000Routine

Compare every TL year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 10, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.