Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Acura TL

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 766 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,101,534
Reported to NHTSA
2019-03-06
Owners notified
2019-04-10

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V092000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
129,600
Reported to NHTSA
2008-02-27
Owners notified
2008-04-28

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 campaignNHTSA 08V091000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Component
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
273,000
Reported to NHTSA
2008-02-27
Owners notified
2008-04-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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).

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
1,099,796
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-15
Owners notified
2004-04-27

Defect description

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Safety risk

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure17786,000 mi
Air bags155104,000 mi
Structure: body5098,000 mi
Unknown or other49110,000 mi
Air bags: frontal4386,000 mi
Tires4010,000 mi
Power train29140,000 mi
Steering28170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2466,755 mi
Suspension21150,000 mi
Seats980,000 mi
Service brakes974,760 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)892,000 mi
Electrical system773,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt710,400 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor792,355 mi
Engine681,000 mi
Visibility/wiper6100,000 mi
Exterior lighting567,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4500 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields4123,145 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint461,634 mi
Tires: sidewall418,060 mi
Vehicle speed control45 mi
Visibility492,355 mi
Wheels: rim44,840 mi
Equipment31,400 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility390,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3170,000 mi
Power train: driveline3500 mi
Seat belts335,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections3101,000 mi
Suspension: front379,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling259,607 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine254,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic248,567 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump260,000 mi
Visibility: windshield21,000 mi
Air bags: side/window123,800 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly11,400 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1100,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control156,200 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline159,607 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter13 mi
Service brakes, air195,871 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads129,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor138,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder173,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1113,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly150,000 mi
Structure: frame and members166,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm162,500 mi
Suspension: rear17,000 mi
Traction control system148,567 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal18,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control18,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices187 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.