Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2014 Acura TL with NHTSA between 2014 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 19 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 4
Against the median year of the Acura TL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 Acura TL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
847.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
211.8%
Median failure at 350 miles
Steering
211.8%
Median failure at 56,700 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Wheels
15.9%
Body & Structure
15.9%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.9%
Median failure at 36,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
240.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
120.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2014peak 2Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 Acura TL
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA19001Opened 19 Apr 2019Closed 19 Sep 2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount...
Recalls on the 2014 Acura TL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016046269,201 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect/replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator. Note: Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pennsauken, NJ
ENGINE
I have a 2014 Acura TL. I have kept up with all the maintenance on my car since day one including getting my oil changes every 3,000 miles or a little under 3,000 miles or even when my dash would say 30-40% oil life.And when it gets to 30-40% oil life the dash board dings check oil. This time my dash board dinged at 60% which I found very odd- My husband checked my oil dipstick & I had no oil- I’ve been parking my car in the same spot in my drive way for the last 10 years so no oil drain marks & the car is not showing any signs of burn oil such as any type of smoke. I go to the dealer to buy a quart of oil- parts guys asked me for model and year of my car- I said 2014 TL he comes back with the quart that says 0W- we put it in it. A week later we get another quart- same part guy brings out 0W- I said why are you giving me 0W when my car manual and engine cap clearly says 5W- he is puzzled and says ok if you want 5W I’ll give you that, I said I’m only going by my car manual and engine cap. My husband puts it in and still low, at this point my husband goes to auto store and buys 2 more quarts of 5W. Car still low on oil- I take in the next day to the Acura dealer for an oil change and explain everything to the advisor and service manager. The manager digs deeper into my maintenance and see’s that I have been keeping up with the maintenance for 11 years. Now he digs deeper and looks up my VIN # for any recalls- apparently there was a recall on my engine piston and piston rings which causes an issue with burning oil and/or oil consumption &make it seem like there is no oil in car. I said I never received a recall. He states unfortunately I am out of the recall window and nothing can be done. I am original owner and having been living at same address 32 years-never got a recall notice. Per NHTSA there's 86 manuf. comm. on the engine pistons from 2016-2019. They say I have Rear main seal leak-they want me to fix first before they can advocate for recall- 2 separate issues
NHTSA complaint #11721653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
STEERING
After driving the vehicle for about 30 minutes a red flashing dash warning light came on with an alarm that there is a power steering problem, after which power steering was lost. Parked the vehicle for two hours to have dinner and then proceeded home with normal steering until reaching home when the same dash warning light and alarm occurred. The following day had vehicle towed to dealership to diagnose the problem. They could not duplicate the problem, and no computer code of failure was recorded, therefore they could not therefore proceed to execute a repair, so I picked up the vehicle and drove home. I called Honda customer service to open a case number for my issue and the called the following day and basically told me what the dealership told me. I have since driven the vehicle several times without issue, however, am concerned that my wife is the primary driver and being elderly will have extreme difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle if she encounters a power steering failure.
NHTSA complaint #11607280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pflugerville, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Monday, August 30, 2021, just south of Temple, Texas on I-35 south, the sun roof shattered. It was about 89 degrees outside.
NHTSA complaint #11431061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abercorn,, VT
WHEELS
My 2014 Acura TL with 36,000 miles has developed serious aluminum alloy wheel corrosion and metal peeling on all four (4) wheels and results in intermittent tire pressure loss. The Acura company refuses to replace at their cost the defective material alloy wheels which cost and the dealer is requesting per wheel $357.00 plus 245$ plus labour and for new tire pressure sensors located inside on the mag wheels. I believe that they did not use the proper balancing weights which are clearly recommend that Acura weights be used. I have investigated the cause of this problem by consulting with automotive engineers and it is certainly in their view related to poor quality mag surface coating which causes moisture to enter in between the rim and wheel thus resulting in wheel corrosion and loss of tire pressure which when driving can result in a serious accident. Yes, tire pressure waring lights came on frequently. The Dealer did inspect the and notice the corrosion last fall (2020). It is in their files and noted on my invoice. Please note that I live in Quebec Canada J0E 1B0.
NHTSA complaint #11424865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,700 milesDarnestown, MD
STEERING
MY CAR ONLY HAS 56,700 MILES ON IT AND THE EPS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN THE STEERING FROZE AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11181151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marlboro Township, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10925912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesELK Grove, CA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. IN LOWER SPEED CAR JERKS. REALLY BAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.THIS ISSUE IS WITH 2013/2014 TL. ON SLOW SPEED FROM 0 -40. DEALER SAY THEY AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DONT HAVE A FIX. THEY HAVE A RELEASE (S/B #16046) FROM MANUFACTURE REGARDING THE PROBLEM JUDDER FROM TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH.
NHTSA complaint #10908303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, NY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL IN MAY 2016. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER IN WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY TO HAVE THEM GET THE PART. IT IS NOW 4 MONTHS AND NO NEWS IS AVAILABLE CONCERNING WHEN THE PART MAY BE DELIVERED. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO SEND ME NOTICES WITH BRIGHT RED TEXT WARNING THAT THE INSTALLED AIRBAGS MAY CAUSE DEATH OR OTHER SERIOUS INJURY. WHAT IS YOUR AGENCY DOING TO PRESSURE THE INVOLVED CORPORATIONS TO EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF THIS PART KNOWN TO CAUSE FATALITIES????
NHTSA complaint #10906300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queens, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER PLACED HIM ON A WAITING LIST SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10893997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sayreville, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME (96 DAYS) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ....UPDATED 08/08/16 *BF UPDATED 08/10/16.
NHTSA complaint #10884626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
AIR BAGS
2014 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10882218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, IL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA INFLATORS: I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH HOW HONDA/ACURA IS HANDLING THE RECALL OF THE 2014 ACURA TL AWD THAT I AM CURRENTLY LEASING. THE TWO OPTIONS THEY OFFERED IF I ACCEPT EITHER WILL END UP COSTING ME MORE MONEY AND PUTTING MORE CASH IN THEIR POCKET. I HAVE SPENT HOURS ON THE PHONE BEING TRANSFERRED FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER 6 TIMES YESTERDAY WITHOUT SATISFACTION TO MY SITUATION AND YES I FIRST WENT TO DOWNTOWN ACURA IN CHICAGO TO DISCUSS MY OPTIONS. THE BEST DEAL THAT THEY COULD GIVE ME WAS TO TRADE IN MY 2014 ACURA TL AWD WHICH I AM PAYING $539.99 A MONTH & LEASE A 2016 ACURA FWD FOR 527.43 I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A FAIR APPLES TO APPLES DEAL. I AM CURRENTLY LEASING AN AWD I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE AN FWD.TO THEY WANT $569.57 A MO. FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS FOR AN AWD. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TAXES, TRANSFER OF TITLE FEES ECT. ACURA IS GOING TO MAKE MONEY IN THIS SITUATION LEASING ME A MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND I AM GOING TO LOOSE MONEY. SO WHO WOULD BE MAKING OUT ON THIS DEAL? ACURA OF COURSE. NOT ONLY ON THE INCREASED LEASE AMOUNT BUT WHEN THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2014 ACURA THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SELL IT FOR A PRETTY PENNY SEEING AS HOW IT WILL BE AROUND 2 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT. TO BE HONEST I DON'T EVEN LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE NEW ACURA 2016. THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE ARE NOT APPEALING TO ME. OPTION 2 IS TO GIVE THEM THE ACURA 2014 TO SIT ON THEIR LOT WHILE THEY RENT ME A TOYOTA COROLLA WHILE ALL THE WHILE I AM STILL PAYING $539.99 A MONTH FOR AN ACURA THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE. I TRIED TRADING IT IN ON A NISSAN MARANO ONLY PROBLEM THEY WOULD LOSE MONEY TRYING TO GET ME A REASONABLE LEASE PAYMENT AFTER HAVING TO PAY OFF MY LEASE AT $5390.00. AS YOU CAN SEE I AM STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. THIS ENTIRE SITUATION EXCUSE MY SLANG. SUCKS! I HOPE THERE WILL BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT STARTED AGAINST HONDA/ACURA.
NHTSA complaint #10862926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE Villages, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER ONLY INDICATED THAT THE PART MAY BECOME AVAILABLE MID SUMMER 2016. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10860660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksboro, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10852723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRaleigh, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
I OWNED AN ACURA TL 2014 SINCE NEW. I TOOK WELL CARE OF IT BUT THERE ARE MANY BIG CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. I FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS A LUXURY CAR AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10786091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesGibbsboro, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
AFTER FINISHING WORK, I OPENED THE CAR DOOR, TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THEN SHUT THE FRONT DOOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING MY 2 CAR SEATS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT TRAUMA OR CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE AND IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION OR IF MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. THIS CAR IS NEWLY PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS AGO AND SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT WAS ONE OF THE SAFEST CARS. NOW TO FIND THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, I AM ASKING FOR A NEW ACURA TL OR ELSE I AM CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN FOR ANOTHER NEW CAR. I CANNOT TAKE ANY CHANCES SINCE I CARE FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN AND NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE. ANOTHER CONCERN, IS THAT EVEN IF THEY FIX THE DAMAGE, THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE WEAKER THAN FACTORY INSTALLED AND MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS ACURA TL AND WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN A NEW CAR OR I WILL BE FORCED TO TRADE IT IN.
NHTSA complaint #10632065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesToledo, OH
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING MY NEW CAR ACURA TL SH AWD (6 DAYS OLD) ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY OUT IN THE OPEN WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OR ALONG SIDE ME, AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. I REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I HAD THE SUN SHADE OPEN AND A FEW PIECES OF GLASS WERE ON ME AND THE PASSENGER SEAT. THERE WERE ALSO A FEW PIECES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, ON ME AND IN THE BACK SEAT, BUT MOST OF THE GLASS WAS BLOWN UPWARD AND OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NICKS IN THE PAINT, IN TWO LINES ON THE ROOF AND ON THE TRUNK. SOME OF THE PIECES INSIDE THE CAR WERE VERY SMALL, BUT SOME WERE 3" TO 4" IN LENGTH. ACURA SAYS IT MUST HAVE BEEN A ROCK AND WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. SOME OF THE REMAINING GLASS IN THE SUNROOF (APPROXIMATELY 15%) WAS POINTED IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A ROCK HIT IT. THIS IS MY FIFTH ACURA AND PROBABLY MY LAST.
NHTSA complaint #10577511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.