35 of the 766 complaints about the 2004 Acura TL are about the steering — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 113,000 miles.
35
Complaints
2
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events of an accident
NHTSA complaint #11519609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to this happening. Upon my research, I noticed that there is a standing recall for the 2004 Acura TL, but not for my specific VIN. I believe that my issue may be related to this recall (08V-091) and believe this recall should be added to my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11513693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light comes on and tugs the vehicle to the right. When we purchased the vehicle I drove it home with my 16 year old (it is planned to be his first car) and I was on the highway going 60 and the VSA light came on and tugged the vehicle to the right. I did not lose control but it can definitely catch someone off guard and cause them to over correct. I took the car in to a local auto shop and they said there was a fault on the VSA module and a couple of other issues. I spent $1,300 to replace both front bearings, hubs, 1 speed control sensor because they recommended that be done before looking to replace the VSA modulating assembly ($1,800 + install). I checked the Acura site and (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) but there is nothing there about a recall for the VSA module. I have seen other posts online of people saying that the car pulls to the right when the VSA light comes on so I seems to be an issue. In winter conditions having an issue like this could cause an over correction and/or loss of control which could cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11472304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at 10 - 15 mph, a burning odor was detected and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed there was fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter that was causing the smoke. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V091000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11440540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TORQUE CONVERTER HAS DIFFERENCE OF 200RPM OR GREATER THAN CAUSING TRANS TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL POWER STEERING LINE ALLOWING AIR INTO SYSTEM. SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG SENSOR WON'T SENT CODE
NHTSA complaint #11406649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT I THINK HOSE BUSTED HARD TO STEER AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING REVERSE IS GOING OUT
NHTSA complaint #11386027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11383370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING PUMP HOSE LEAKS. I HAVE TIGHTED THE CLAMP WHICH STOPPED IT FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS LEAKING AGAIN AND THE HOSE LOOKS TO BE DETERIATING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. ALSO THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND YOU CANT GET IT OUT. HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT HAS HAPPEED AGAIN. A SEARCH WILL FIND THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO ON THE MDX.
NHTSA complaint #11279796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER STEERING SPIT OUT OIL EVERYWHERE
NHTSA complaint #11139687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,604.
NHTSA complaint #11084419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING, MINE IS LEAKING WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, PREVIOUS RECALL ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAULT, PREVIOUS RECALL ON WIPER MOTOR HOUSING, CURRENT RECALL ON BALL JOINTS, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC I HAVE A BALL JOINT PROBLEM, CURRENT PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. REPLACED BALLAST WITH NEW ONE AND HEAD LIGHT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WENT OUT AGAIN, NOTICE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11075772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE POWER STEERING LEAKS THIS ISSUE IS RECALLED ON THE NEW MODLES BUT NOT THESE AND ITS THE SAME PART
NHTSA complaint #10948021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TOP OF MY DASH WHERE THE GLOVEBOX IS ALL CRACK WHERE THE THE TAKATA INFLATORS OUR
NHTSA complaint #10853047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I HAVE ACURA TL 2004 WELL MAINTAINED SERVICE ON TIME . ONE DAY IT'S RAINING AND I DRIVE AROUND 10 MPH AND AFTER SOME TIME MY STEERING WAS FROZE I CAN'T MOVE I ABOUT TO GET CRASHED THEN I THINK IT MIGHT BE DUE TO STEERING FLUID I CHECK ITS ALMOST GOOD THEN I DRIVE NEXT FEW DAYS AND PROBLEM GONE BUT AGAIN WHEN IT'S RAINING IT DID SAME THING.IM SCARED TO DRIVE THAT CAR IN RAINING . IT'S ONLY BAD IN RAINING I DON'T KNOW WHY. IT ALSO HAS SOMETIME AIRBAG WARNING ON IN RAIN .
NHTSA complaint #10761156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARMS THAT CONNECT TO THE TIE RODS, SWAY BARS AND LINKS TO CV AXLE AND I BELEIVE RACK AND PINION SUSPENSION CAME APART FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILD AS A PASSENGER WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS WE WERE IN ROUTE TO TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS CRASH OCCURED.
NHTSA complaint #10745466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10735862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
NHTSA complaint #10690798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING LEAKS AND THERE IS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN COOLER WEATHER. I WENT TO AN ACURA AND HONDA DEALER AND THEY NOTED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND THE PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND RELATED RECALLS IN THE PAST AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND IT SEEMS ACURA AND HONDA ARE SIMPLY UNWILLING TO FIX PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCT UNRELATED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT WOULD BENEFIT CONSUMERS IF THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR AND MODEL WERE MORE THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD _PARTY.
NHTSA complaint #10649575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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ONGOING PROBLEMS WENT TO DEALER TOLD WAS FINE. EXPERIENCE LEAKS AND NOISE ISSUES WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. BACK TO DEALER WAS TOLD SOMETHING WRONG WITH STEERING RACK , POWER STEERING PUMP AND LEAK SOMEWHERE. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS IN PAST FOR SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10575566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING CAUSING SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I READ ON ACURA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING FOR 2004-2008 ACURA TL. I AM EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND READ IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10560741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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2004 ACURA TL POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. DEALER STATED NOT RELATED TO RECALL REGARDING POWER STEERING HOSE PROBLEM WHICH WAS APPARENTLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL ALREADY. ACURA DEALER REPAIRED POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHARGED OVER $600 FOR REPAIR. FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER IN STEERING, LOUD NOISE GRINDING WHEN STARTING ENGINE AND FOR PERIOD WHILE DRIVING AT BEGINNING OF DRIVING EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10379268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I HAD REPLACED THE STEERING HOSE FOR MY 2004 ACURA TL MORE THAN 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT IS DAMAGED AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING WHICH SEEM VERY UNUSUAL COMPARE TO OTHER CAR THAT I KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10328906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2007. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH IN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, SHE COULD HEAR METAL HITTING THE CONCRETE. SHE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SLANTED OUTWARD. HER INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THE FRONT TIRE ROD FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BEND OUTWARD. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,768.
NHTSA complaint #10298358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY 2004 ACURA TL HAD A RECALL ON POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK IN SPRING OF 2008 AND IN DECEMBER OF 2008 I HAD TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED FOR THAT REASON AND THE ACURA DEALER NEVER REIMBURSED ME FOR THAT EXPENSE EVENTHOUGH IT WAS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10274402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
2004 ACURA TL WITH TWO RECALLS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WOULD LIKE FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPAIRS HE PAID FOR ON HIS VEHICLE, WHICH WERE THEN RECALLED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10229545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE AS IF THERE WAS NO FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN ERROR WAS MADE WHEN DURING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND THEY MADE THE CORRECTION ON MARCH 17, 2008. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V091000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) ON MAY 16, 2008. ON MAY 19, 2008, HE CALLED ACURA FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE THE FAILURE THAT WAS REPAIRED WAS NOT THE SAME AS WHAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10228155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE AS IF THERE WAS NO FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN ERROR WAS MADE WHEN DURING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND THEY MADE THE CORRECTION ON MARCH 17, 2008. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V091000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) ON MAY 16, 2008. ON MAY 19, 2008, HE CALLED ACURA FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE THE FAILURE THAT WAS REPAIRED WAS NOT THE SAME AS WHAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10228155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNS THE VEHICLE, SMOKE ENTERED THROUGH THE VENTS AND OUT OF THE HOOD. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10223663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAL ON THE POWER STEERING WAS DAMAGED. IT APPEARED AS IF THE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V091000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
BOTH MINE AND MY FRIENDS POWER STREEING PUMPS HAVE GONE BAD RIGHT AROUND THE SAME TIME IN OUR 2004 ACURA TL. RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MARK.
NHTSA complaint #10211368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.