Best and worst Acura TL years — which to avoid

The Acura TL was one of Honda’s premium brand’s top-selling cars from 1996 through 2014 and even though the TLX has taken its position in Acura’s lineup, the TL is still a good used car option. That is, as long as you go past the worst Acura TL years to avoid since some model years are inevitably affected by common problems.

That’s what our team of experts is here for as we thoroughly examined all the reliability ratings and complaints on NHTSA and other driving safety databases to confirm the best and worst years. This guide will serve as a lead into your purchase by telling you exactly which years to avoid, and which models to focus on.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Acura TL years

While making this guide, our team of experts wanted to include only proven and verified pieces of information on the Acura TL and its reliability. So, we mostly leaned on NHTSA’s reports and complaints, as well as official recalls to see which issues plagued the worst TL model years.

Of course, we also used driver reviews and ratings on popular car review sites like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports to see what previous and current owners think of the car. Once we did all that, along with exploring popular Acura TL forum threads, we were ready to double-check everything and create the best and worst years list:

Most common Acura TL problems

Although the Acura TL has a solid reliability history, different reliability concerns might arise over time and mileage. Below is a list of the common problems of Acura TL:

1. Engine problems

The Acura TL is known to have excessive oil consumption, especially during the 2010 model year. The owners had no choice but to change the engine oil and top up the pan frequently, even without any signs of a leak or blowout.

Replenishing the oil in time will prevent the engine parts from wearing out quickly due to insufficient lubrication. Other problems capable of wrecking the entire engine may emanate from these damaged parts. There was an instance where the driver didn’t notice that the engine was low on oil due to a bad oil sensor. 

2. Electrical problems 

The Acura TL has numerous features to make driving more convenient. The odometer, which records how many kilometers the luxury automobile has driven, is one of these gadgets. Sadly, the odometer in some 2000 TLs might stop working quickly.

Although this issue didn’t render the vehicle inoperable, the inaccurate readings might have misled prospective customers. The bill of sale for a TL sold by the owner required it to state that the odometer did not accurately reflect the vehicle’s mileage. It’s a similar situation to the speedometer not working, and it’s quite a drag not to have all the gauges at disposal.

The 2000 Acura TL had the worst electrical issue (odometer failure), while most complaints were filed for the 2006 model year.

3. Problems with the interior accessories

The 2006 Acura TL has luxurious interior features like a dashboard that emphasizes the sedan’s svelte lines, just like any luxury car worthy of the moniker. Unfortunately, the dashboard can get ugly cracks that make the panel look bad.

The passenger side airbag is frequently where the first cracks appear. Depending on their seriousness, they may disable the safety mechanism, and the rest of the dashboard may begin to display further damage.

The 2006 model year is one of many with interior issues centered around faulty accessories. Some 2004 and 2005 Acura TL car dashboards can also develop cracks. Additionally, the airbag on the passenger side frequently creates fractures.

4. Transmission problems

The Acura TL from 2003 has the lowest transmission reliability. They are shifting to lower speeds, slipping between gears, and sticking as the driver swaps gears are all known problems. In the worst case, the transmission may completely malfunction and go to safe mode, and the vehicle may also jerk all over the road.

According to reports from owners, Acura TL made between 1999 and 2003 had faulty automatic transmissions and transmission slipping issues. A new transmission is usually required, and this repair work may cost thousands of dollars at a dealership. Additionally, there is no assurance that the restored transmission won’t experience the same issue again.

Worst Acura TL years to avoid

The Acura TL stable has generally received positive dependability reviews. There is no doubt that some years are worse than others, but the big question is – what are the worst Acura TL years? The worst Acura TL years include 2003 and 2006, but here’s a complete list:

• 2003
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2010

We’ll further elaborate on each of these model years and their problems to ensure you’ve got all the information you need to make a good purchase.

Second-generation Acura TL (2003 model year)

One of the most problematic Acura TL models is the 2003 model, which has received more than 400 NHTSA user complaints. The transmission failure, the shaking of the vehicle during acceleration, and the clear coat peeling are the three most noticeable issues with this vehicle.

Many drivers said that the transmission failure struck them out of the blue while they were on the motorway, which can be a dangerous place to be. Poor gear shifting and, in some cases, outright failure are frequent concerns.

Third-generation Acura TL (2005-2007 model years)

The 2005 Acura TL is another year to avoid. The top three areas of concern are a broken dashboard, a failing transmission, and a malfunctioning in-car entertainment system. There have been numerous complaints from Acura TL owners concerning the dashboard’s apparent cracks, and the damages would entirely penetrate the airbag area and gauge cluster. 

The airbag lights would continue to illuminate because of the cracks, which is a nuisance and a safety concern. The most popular and pricey fix is to replace the dashboard completely. The 2005 TL is likewise prone to transmission failure, much like the 2003 model. In this instance, numerous drivers lamented the complex shifting and grating noises they experienced while changing gears.

Another Acura TL year with problematic durability is the 2006 model. Their primary concern of them is about its electrical components. The CD player and display screen are the in-car electronics that receive the most complaints. Owners complained to Consumer Reports that the CD player would overheat, destroy the discs, or stop working altogether. Because it frequently breaks down or is challenging to view, the display screen is another prominent difficult location.

Although the 2007 Acura TL is not a difficult car, there are a few drawbacks worth highlighting. According to Consumer Reports, the 2007 TL has a dependability rating of 2 out of 5, and most of its issues are transmission-related. Similar to the TL from 2006, there were several electronics issues this year. 

Fourth-generation Acura TL (2010 model)

It would be best if you steered clear of the 2010 model year of the last generation of Acura TL sedans. Its issue with excessive oil consumption made it one of the worst Acura TL years to avoid. Even after an anticipated oil change, the engine can sometimes fail, and many mechanics claimed this was a common problem with Acuras from 2009 to 2010. 

Many owners claim that they had to add two to three gallons of oil each time they changed their oil. Owners who want to address this problem should budget $6,550. Additionally, the brake rotors on this year’s model frequently experience problems and often get warped. Given a severe safety risk, this problem’s severity rating of 10 is appropriate.

What are the best Acura TL years to buy?

Along with the worst-rated models, we also had to consider some of the best Acura TL models to buy. These were the best-rated options overall based on driver reports, positive feedback, and low number of complaints through the Acura TL years:

• 2000
• 2001
• 2004
• 2009
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014

The 2004 model year marked the debut of the third-generation Acura TL. The Acura TL is widely regarded as having entered the luxury compact sedan market in 2004. This well-liked type is renowned for being dependable. This model, available with both six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions, is similarly prone to gearbox issues (to a lesser extent). 

The 2009 Acura TL introduced the fourth and last generation. Additionally, it was the first model to use the eagerly anticipated SH-AWD technology. With only 60+ complaints to its name, according to Car Complaints, the 2009 Acura TL receives the Seal of Awesome.

2011 Acura TL

Among the best-rated Acura TL models, the 2011 one stands out as the model with the lowest number of complaints on NHTSA. It’s also the model that received by far the best rating from drivers and previous owners regardless of the trim and specs.

This TL model didn’t have any issues with engine performance or cooling, and oil consumption was reduced to a bare minimum. On top of that, there weren’t many issues with the transmission and other mechanical vitals, making it an option you can lean on reliability-wise and be sure that you won’t have to take it to a mechanic too often.

Is the Acura TL worth buying?

Consider purchasing the Acura TL if you’re looking for an excellent luxury sedan at a price that won’t break the bank. It has a spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine options, and good driving manners. Modern TLs include cutting-edge features, but older models have a ton of high-tech equipment. Even better, Acura TLs depreciate at an average rate.

Looking into the Lexus ES 350, Acura TSX, or Nissan Maxima? Each of these models has its highs and lows across different years. To help you navigate through your options, our succinct reviews point out best years and which years to steer clear of.