Acura TL years to avoid — most common problems

The Acura TL was one of Honda’s premium brand’s top-selling cars from 1996 through 2014. Even though the TLX has taken its position in Acura’s lineup, the TL is still a good option for both novices and seasoned drivers, especially the 2008 model. The Acura TL was once an undervalued luxury sedan far more affordable than its German counterparts.

Despite its conventional design, it was primarily regarded as a dependable, entertaining vehicle during its run. This article will look at the common problems of the Acura TL, the best and worst years of this model. Be it as it may, there are some Acura TL years to avoid if you want to acquire this model and experience a smooth ride. 

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.

Most common Acura TL problems

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

Engine problems

The Acura TL is known to have rapid 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. 

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. There have been numerous complaints from 2006 TL owners about battery drain problems that result in a dead battery and difficulty starting the vehicle. In some instances, the issue was brought on by electrical equipment consuming power even when it was off. The solution to this issue is usually unplugging the problematic component.

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 this issue. Some 2004 and 2005 Acura TL car dashboards can also develop cracks. Additionally, the airbag on the passenger side frequently creates fractures.

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.

Which 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. These are the Acura TL model years to steer clear of:

Second-generation 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.

This Acura TL model’s Bluetooth is yet another issue. Some users said that the Bluetooth stopped pairing with devices and that the repair would cost between $700 and $800.

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. 

Again, the broken CD player and LCD screen are to blame. A few owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the brake system, noting the broken ABS light and early brake pad degradation. Regarding the transmission, some drivers claimed it tends to stutter. According to certain complaints, the transmission mechanism failed at low mileage levels.

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. Given a severe safety risk, this problem’s severity rating of 10 is appropriate.

Best Acura TL years

These model years listed are better options to consider when getting an Acura TL:

• 2004 Acura TL
• 2009 Acura TL
• 2013 Acura TL

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.

If you intend to get a new vehicle, consider the 2013 Acura TL. It has a furious 280-horsepower V6 engine and agile handling in both FWD and AWD variants. The 2013 Acura TL, which received from J.D. Power a quality and reliability score of 86 out of 100, is a dependable automobile.

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.