2009 Acura TL recalls and problems

The 2009 Acura TL has 3 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

5 / 0

Injuries / deaths

3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Acura TL vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Acura TL recalls

Recall 19V-500: Air Bags

Reported Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

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 16V-061: Air Bags

Reported Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2009 Acura TL problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	19
Structure	7
Visibility	6
Power Train	5
Electrical System	3
Steering	2
Engine	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	2
Service Brakes	2
Seats	1
Back Over Prevention	1
Unknown or Other	1

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 3
Structure › Frame and Members — 1
Visibility › Windshield — 1
Structure › Body › Hood — 1
Back Over Prevention › Camera System — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 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 2009 Acura TL complaints

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

Unknown or Other · reported Aug 4, 2025

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 pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off without warning due to the key hinge lock failure on the highway ant speed and well as on bumpy roads and at stoplights.

Service Brakes · reported Feb 1, 2023

Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I have no brakes. The spongy brakes cause a lag in…

Power Train · reported Apr 23, 2019

Radual acceleration elicits the symptoms of shudder and tach hunting the transmission hesitates and shudders when shifting into 2nd and 3rd gears. Driving to work 128 mass highway

Service Brakes · at 120,000 miles · reported Apr 17, 2019

The contact owned a 2009 acura tl. While driving out of a parking lot, the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle drove over a curb and crashed into a tree. The air bag deployed and the engine revved and did not stop until help arrived. There was no warning indicator illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was damaged and towed by aaa. The vehicle was declared totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done…

Power Train · at 149,223 miles · reported Jul 19, 2018

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 ramp in heavy traffic.

Other Acura TL years

2014 2013 2012 2011 201020092008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Acura TL years · All Acura models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Acura TL have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Acura TL: 19V-500 (air bags), 19V-182 (air bags), 16V-061 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Acura TL?

Owners report air bags problems most often (19 reports), followed by structure (7). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 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.