2005 Acura TL recalls and problems

The 2005 Acura TL has 5 safety recalls and 388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
388
Crashes / fires
7 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Acura TL vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Acura TL recalls

Recall 19V-182: Air Bags

Reported Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 08V-091: Steering

Reported Feb 27, 2008 · 273,000 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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).

Recall 08V-092: Visibility

Reported Feb 27, 2008 · 129,600 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 07V-097: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 14, 2007 · 166,561 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.

Risk: If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Recall 05V-132: Electrical System

Reported Apr 5, 2005 · 1,923 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.

Risk: If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.

2005 Acura TL problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure156
Air Bags145
Unknown or Other64
Power Train36
Electrical System28
Steering25
Tires20
Suspension11
Vehicle Speed Control8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Engine and Engine Cooling6
Engine6

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 38
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 10
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 9
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 2
  • Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
  • Wheels › Rim — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 91,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Acura TL complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Jul 11, 2026
The vehicle has been gradually leaking power steering fluid over time. I have been monitoring the fluid level and have noticed a recurring burning smell while operating the vehicle. At times, I have also observed what appears to be a very faint, clear or nearly transparent smoke or vapor that is only visible when light reflects off of it. I am uncertain whether this is smoke or vapor. The steering has not become difficult or hard to turn at this time. I am concerned that power steering fluid may be leaking onto or near a hot engine or exhaust component, causing the burning smell and possible…
Air Bags · at 230,000 miles · reported Apr 3, 2026
The contact owned a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver's side air bag might have deployed without impact, hit the contact's face, reducing the roadway visibility and causing the vehicle to crash into the rear-end of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag exploded and propelled fragments, causing the driver to experience difficulty breathing. The contact was assisted out of the vehicle because the front driver's side door was damaged and could only be opened from the outside. The contact stated that the front end of the…
Power Train · reported Nov 8, 2025
While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before &…
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 19, 2024
The driver and passenger side mirror lenses will click randomly while driving on the interstate going at a relatively good speed. When these click and move, it causes a distraction and I can no longer see what’s coming next to me. I have to turn the mirror lenses back to their original position in order to view my blind spot.
Suspension · reported Apr 11, 2024
Ball joint purchased from Napa Auto Parts #260-1791was defective. Nut supplied with ball joint was too small. This caused the ball joint to separate from the steering knuckle. After driving a very short distance the front end of the car collapsed, causing the front axle to break. The car fell on the front fender damaging it. This is the same problem reported in 2011. [XXX] This is a serious safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Other Acura TL years

Compare all Acura TL years · All Acura models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Acura TL have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Acura TL: 19V-182 (air bags), 08V-091 (steering), 08V-092 (visibility), 07V-097 (fuel system, gasoline), 05V-132 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Acura TL?

Owners report structure problems most often (156 reports), followed by air bags (145). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 91,000 miles.

Are Acura recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Acura dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.