125 of the
4,055 complaints filed about the Acura TL
are about the braking system —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I have no brakes. The spongy brakes cause a lag in stopping and if for some reason I have to suddenly stop I would be unable to...this symptom last sometimes minutes, hours, and days with no reason and then brakes return to normal. Im afraid to drive my vehicle as this is dangerius and a safety issue. Acura should issue a recall as this is putting lives in danger.
NHTSA complaint #11504865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
04 acura tl my transmission wen applying the brakes feel like a big part of tranny broke u feel it move like it grinding about to brake it can cause a big accident or death .if wen fully apply brakes complete stop .it will b bad it say a recall yrs ago 4 this same thing I'm telling u now about trannie i got kids I take n car seat belt lock don't work n back lights keep flashing n back at nite out of no were is there something n my car my gmail is [XXX]. 04 Acura tl had only 2mounths paid 3000 n Montclair now it sits not going to chance it driving no safe at all please help me INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11463272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car and left Acura there since. Since the purchased I had nothing, but engine problems told Joe never responded I did my own research come to find out Joe's business licensed was suspended and that where he got my car Acura to pass smog of course was a smog business already being investigated for passing car illegally. So I took my Acura to Acura dealer here In Fresno Ca I was told all motor mounts were cracked so they replaced all motor mounts and installed used motor charging me $7,000 at that time I was in the process of suing Joe's Garage however since I have had no car emotionally distress because I paid $2700 for Acura trusting this business man come to find out its Salvaged vehicle now you can understand how frustrated I am not including the losses in my life back to back not been able to just mourn rest etc because of cruel business companies intentions. I'm not asking for much all I want is for you to give Acura Dealer here in Fresno ca the ok to make sure my car is or passed the safety and drivable test making sure everything on car is safe to drive at no cost to me. I have grandkids who are my world and I need to have a good reliable car for them Nathan here at Acura Dealer called me yesterday asking me if I had money, I said no I will file my taxes and see but I honestly feel and would appreciate your help on closing the two companies for good and release my car to me at no cost.
NHTSA complaint #11461588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I had to throw it in neutral, turning the key back and forth from the off position to the start position to get it to unlock right before I crashed into on coming traffick! There has been nothing wrong with the car other than routine maintenance an absolutely no signs anything is wrong with the car. It has 168436 miles on it and has been religiously maintained. There is a SERIOUS problem with this vehicle for something like this to happen. I've owned hundreds of cars and never experienced anything like this happening, ever!
NHTSA complaint #11448063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car has been automatically shutting off while driving. Bringing my car to a halt, not a full on stop but to the point my wheels lock up. Sort of like im slamming on my brake but I can't press my brake. I lose power steering, the entire car shuts off. Then I have to try and restart it, but it won't turn over. Sometimes its just for a few minutes. Other times Im stranded for hours. A few times its been days. After it dies and i turn the key off and then back on but not over ill have power. I have a kid and we've been stranded on an on ramp with cars going 60 all around us. The car just randomly shut off in the middle of the road. There's a lot of traffic around these parts and we were stuck, not even being able to get out of the vehicle with the cars going on each side of us. Ive done some research and ive seen thousands of other complaints about this issue since 2002. Ive had 3 different mechanics try to figure out what the issue was. Have had my car at the shop for weeks at a time. A few times even the mechanics couldn't get it started, and it had to sit for 3 days before it would start up again. The check engine light is on and all 3 different mechanics have fixed everything thats came up. After this started happening ive had to replace brakes and rotors several times. My car started shifting way to late. And feels like its starting to slip. This is a safety hazzard. Especially in larger cities.
NHTSA complaint #11418115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITH THE ABS AND THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, AFTER EACH REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11396477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FEBRUARY 2020 GOING DOWNHILL AT 30MPH ON A CURVED ROAD, AND MY WHEEL SNAPS TO THE RIGHT THANKS TO RECALLED BALL JOINTS!!!!!!!!! HIT THE CURB, SNAPPED MY ROTOR IN HALF AND THE BRAKE LINE. LOWER CONTROL ARM WENT THRU MY CRADLE. SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL WITH NO STEERING AND NO FREAKING BRAKES AT ALL. OUT OF NOWHERE! TOTALED SUSPENSION ALL THE WAY AROUND. ONLY FREAKIN AIRBAG TO GO OFF WAS THE PASSENGER WINDOW AIRBAG. WHOLE CAR WAS [XXX] BECAUSE OF MANUFACTOR ISSUES! SOUNDS LIKE ACURA SHOULD REPLACE MY FREAKING CAR. OH WAIT.. I DID. AND TODAY THE ONE IM DRIVING RIGHT NOW RANDOMLY HAD THE POWER STEERING EXPLODEEEEEE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI WHILE TURNING AND RANDOMLY LOSING STEERING OUT OF NOWHERE ONCE AGAIN!! WHICH FRIED MY COOLING FAN, AND OVERHEATED MY MOTOR ON MY ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING.... SO YEAH. NEVER BUYING ANOTHER ACURA AGAIN, PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11383368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER STEERING HOSE OIL LEAKING, ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BIND, DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY EXPLODE, 2001-11 MULTI-MODEL AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALLS , PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. TRANSMISSION OIL IS LEAKING ALL THE OIL IN 4 DAYS
NHTSA complaint #11374495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIRBAG: CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE AIRBAG. ABS OFF STEERING: (IN MOTION AND WHEN STATIONARY) STEERING WHEEL MOANED WHILE TURNING WHEEL/DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER PARKING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. BRAKES: (IN MOTION) WHEN GOING DOWN ON DIPS ON ROAD, BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND SEEM TO SLIP.
NHTSA complaint #11315358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES FEEL SPONGY EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE BRAKE BLEEDING AS WELL AS A MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. PEOPLE ON ACURA TL TYPE S FORUMS ARE REPORTING THAT AIR IS BEING INTRODUCED THROUGH THE VSA/ABS MODULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #11300243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11289629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A PHONE TO A 88 HONDA, 94 HONDA 99 ACURA EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITION. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR A NEW VEHICLE BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA DUE TO THE AIR CONDITION PROBLEMS UNLESS THERE WAS A GUARANTEE THAT YOU GUYS WILL STAND BEHIND THE AIR CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11203195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE GOT AN APRIL 2019 LETTER FOR AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL WHICH CAME TOO LATE! MY CAR WAS TOTALED IN A ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT DID CAUSE HURTFUL PRESSURE ON MY GRANDSON'S CHEST WITH AN EMERGENCY BILL OVER $500 AND 2 DAYS OF LOSSES WAGES. OK FOR WHICH WE HAD NO COMPENSATION. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY STREET IN WHICH THE OTHER PARTY WAS TICKETED ON AN ILLEGAL U TURN.
NHTSA complaint #11197014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11196963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HI I'M WANTING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS YEAR ACURA MAKING MODELS BREAKS BECAUSE IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN YOU GO TO PRESS THE BRAKES AND START THE CAR THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY FROZEN. ALSO WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS THE HEADLIGHTS GET DULL AND DINGY WITH WEAR IN TEAR AND GET VERY DULL CAUSING IT TO BE VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT AS WELL AS THE BODY ALL THE MOLDING ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF IS PEELING OFF THE CHROME TRIM MOLDING PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER. MY CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER I DRIVE IT EVERYDAY I GET IT A CAR WASH EVERY OTHER DAY BUT THAT SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE TOP CHROME TRIM ON THE ROOF TO START PEELING OFF AND BE COMING UNDONE FROM YOUR CAR
NHTSA complaint #11162670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.