Engine
3.2L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 246 of 247 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 196 of 247 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
85 complaint records5 crash reports
"CRACK APPEARED ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD OUTLINING AIRBAG. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DEFECT WITH ACURA TL. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Body & structure
64 complaint records1 crash report
"CRACK APPEARED ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD OUTLINING AIRBAG. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND DEFECT WITH ACURA TL. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Electrical system
31 complaint records2 fire reports
"WENT TO TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY WON'T WIPE NEITHER WILL THE FLUID. TRIED WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND IN MOTION..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V182000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 08V091000 | Steering | 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. | Normally free |
| 06V270000 | Equipment | 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. | Normally free |
| 05V510000 | Air Bags | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008080 2008-03-04 | Steering | 19,067 | On certain vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause a power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, causing the hose to crack and leak. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORE5C4S09 Jul 2019 | Suspension | This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. | |
| B05-018 Nov 2016 | Equipment | SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION. | |
| TAKATA_FLORIDA D Aug 2016 | Air Bags | LETTER SENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT TO REMIND FLORIDA OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. | |
| BPAS-05122016902 May 2016 | Electrical System | DEALER MESSAGE - AHM IS INVESTIGATING CLIENT COMPLAINT OF HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY REPAIR, PLEASE SEND SUSPECT PARTS BACK TO AHM. | |
| B-PAS-04292016-9 Apr 2016 | Electrical System | AHM IS INVESTIGATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF THE HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PLEASE SEND SPECIFIC PARTS TO AHM PRIOR TO ATTEMPING ANY REPAIRS. |
Show 33 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| BER16040A Apr 2016 | Electrical System | ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION OF THE HANDSFREELINK (HFL) NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. | |
| B-PAS-04252016-9 Apr 2016 | Electrical System | AHM IS INVESTIGATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF THE HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PLEASE SEND SPECIFIC PARTS TO AHM PRIOR TO ATTEMPING ANY REPAIRS. | |
| B-PAS-04132016-9 Apr 2016 | Electrical System | DEALER MESSAGE - REQUEST FOR PARTS TO INVESTIGATETHE HANDSFREELINK (HFL) NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. | |
| 08-057 Mar 2016 | Engine | SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE. | |
| B-08-057 Mar 2016 | Electrical System | SYMPTOM The HandsFreeLink (HFL) system doesnt work, and/or the battery sometimes wont start the vehicle. PROBABLE CAUSE The HFL control unit has an internal problem, which creates a parasitic current draw of 250 mA CORRECTIVE ACTION Do the REPAIR PROCEDURE, which includes a... | |
| SB-08-057 Mar 2016 | Electrical System | HandsFreeLink (HFL) Doesn?t Work, or Battery Is Too Low to Start the Engine: The HandsFreeLink (HFL) system doesn?t work, and/or the battery sometimes won?t start the vehicle. | |
| SB08057 Mar 2016 | Equipment | The HandsFreeLink (HFL) system doesn?t work, and/or the battery sometimes won?t start the vehicle. | |
| B08-057 Mar 2016 | Electrical System | SERVICE BULLETIN - HANDSFREELINK (HFL) DOESNT WORK, OR BATTERY IS TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE | |
| B98015 Mar 2016 | Equipment | Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated. | |
| Service Bulletin Dec 2014 | Tires | Service bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs. | |
| DLR MSG - Acura Aug 2014 | Air Bags | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated. | |
| DLR MSG - Stop S Jul 2014 | Air Bags | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-023, Safety Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-029,... | |
| IN-27-14 Mar 2014 | Engine | ACURA: THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON, WITH DTC P2138 (ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR A/B INCORRECT VOLTAGE CORRELATION), AND HAVE POOR PERFORMANCE IN ENGINE. MODEL 2004-2008 TL, TSX. *PE | |
| DLR MSG - RFP - Feb 2014 | Vehicle Speed Control | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2004-2008 TLs & TSXs with a complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with the DTC P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor A/B Incorrect Voltage Correlation) stored and poor engine performance. | |
| IN-2-11-14 Jan 2014 | Engine | HONDA: SOME VEHICLES MAY DISPLAY A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WITH THE STORED DTC P2138 (ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR A/B INCORRECT VOLTAGE CORRELATION). THERE MAY ALSO BE POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE. | |
| DLR MSG - RFP - Jan 2014 | Electrical System | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2004-2008 TLs & TSXs with a complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with the DTC P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor A/B Incorrect Voltage Correlation) stored and poor engine performance. | |
| IN-09-10 Sep 2013 | Engine | ACURA: DUE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR A/B INCORRECT VOLTAGE CORRELATION, ENGINE POOR PERFORMANCE AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 02138, AN INVESTIGATION WILL CHECK CAUSE OF CONDITION. MODEL 2004-2008 TX, TSX. *PE | |
| ASN-49584 Jun 2013 | Equipment | ACURA: INFORMATION IN THE SERVICE NEWS, FROM MANUFACTURER, REGARDING VARIOUS ISSUES OF TROUBLESHOOTING, INSTALLATION, REPLACING, SERVICING AND REPAIRING VARIOUS MODEL AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. *PE | |
| SB11-004 Jan 2013 | Power Train | ACURA: CLUTCH PEDAL POPS, SQUEAKS, OR CLICKS. *KB | |
| SB-12-001 Jan 2012 | Electrical System | ACURA: UPDATE ON SOME MODEL VEHICLES REGARDING TESTING OF ALTERNATORS WITH THE GR8 ALTERNATOR/STARTER TESTER (AST) MODULE THAT IS INSTALLED ON GR8 DIAGNOSTIC BATTERY STATION. *PE | |
| SB-06-023 Oct 2011 | Power Train | ACURA: THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INPUT IN MISINTERPRETED BY THE ECM/PCM/ THE MIL COMES ON. *PE | |
| SB-11-007 May 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HONDA ACURA: THERE IS A KNOCKING OR VIBRATION FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT CAUSED THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT TO CRACK. *RM | |
| SB-0708 Nov 2010 | Tires | ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM | |
| 08-018 Jul 2008 | Power Train | ACURA: 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, POPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR, OR IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS A FAULTY 3RD GEAR SYNCHRONIZER OR 3-4 SHIFT SLEEVE. *PE | |
| 08-026 May 2008 | Equipment | LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL ACURA VEHICLES. *PE | |
| 06050 May 2008 | Unknown Or Other | WARRANTY EXTENSION: VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *KB AFFECTS 2002 THROUGH 2006 ACURA MODELS. UPDATED 8/15/08. *PE | |
| SB-06-050 May 2008 | Equipment | ACURA: WARRANTY EXTENSION: VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. A FEDERAL COURT PROVIDED FINAL APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE ODOMETERS ON CERTAIN MODELS WERE OVERSTATING MILEAGE. VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SETTLEMENT INCLUDE CERTAIN 2002-2006. | |
| 07-060 Dec 2007 | Steering | POWER STEERING MOANS OR WHINES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. *NJ | |
| 07041 Nov 2007 | Service Brakes | BRAKE PEDAL IS LOW AND FEELS SOFT. *NJ | |
| 07035 Jun 2007 | Seats | FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SQUEAKS OR RATTLES. *KB | |
| 1006 Oct 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TROUBLE SHOOTING B-CAN AND F-CAN DTC'S. *KB | |
| 1205 Dec 2005 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION GRINDS AT SHIFTS, SKIP SHIFTING. *TT | |
| 09012005 Sep 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF THE MAINTENANCE MINDER SYSTEM. SERVICENEWS. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Acura TL →