263 of the 4,055 complaints filed about the Acura TL are about the electrical system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.
263
Complaints
6%
Share of all complaints
16
Crashes
15
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fuse box Power steering hose
NHTSA complaint #11757300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11749644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has a faulty Hands free link module which runs the battery down when the vehicle is not in use. Acura has been aware of this problem since 2005. The government of this sorry ass country has done nothing about this issue except sit on their hands and accept payoffs from Acura. Acura dealers refuse to call back when this issue is mentioned. This results in money being paid for unnecessary repairs for batteries, alternators, and testing Just think if you were a handicap person who had to rely on your vehicle for medical services on a weekly basis and every time you went to your vehicle it would not start because of this issue that has been unresolved by Acura since 2005.What a national disgrace.
NHTSA complaint #11719596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before & all of a sudden it did all of the above, erratic shifting, flare up shifts, won't move. It was then put on a diagnostic scanner which showed a code for Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid but was cleared & didn't reappear. After the car has been sitting for a while (days) you can crank it, put it into drive & it is hesitant to go & will drive ONLY for a few minutes. After the transmission heats up, it stops pulling. I have read numerous complaints, safety concerns, bulletins, etc. I am devastated & lost on what's going on with the car & what can be done. I purchased my '05 TL in 2022 & haven't been able to drive it but for one & a half years. I've put so much money into the repairs & maintenance. I replaced the rear & front motor mounts, transmission speed sensor, transmission position sensor, etc. I am now disabled & don't have the means to put into it anymore. I pray there's an investigation behind these Drive train safety concerns!
NHTSA complaint #11698295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off without warning due to the key hinge lock failure on the highway ant speed and well as on bumpy roads and at stoplights.
NHTSA complaint #11678215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Immobilizer unit (recognizes/reads chip in key fob) failure led to the car shutting off the fuel pump leading to the car shutting down. The car could not be started again leaving the driver stranded by the side of the road. Vehicle had to be towed to an Acura dealer since the electronic immobilizer unit cannot be replaced/programmed by non Acura dealers. Car has been sitting at Acura since the end of December 2024 waiting on parts.
NHTSA complaint #11644200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing battery drainage failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after sitting for long periods without being driven. The contact stated that the battery was replaced six times however, the failure recurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11576016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the battery power was drained after driving the vehicle for less than 48-hours. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the Bluetooth in the vehicle was draining the battery. Bluetooth was disabled, but the failure recurred. The contact had since replaced the battery twice within two months, each time with the same brand of battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11525104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On 4/28/2023 per Balcones Heights Police officer Ford and Officer [XXX] there is an issue with the license plate light. The light has been replaced twice, to avoid traffic stops. Police continue to cite the issue of No License plate light. There are not any warning lights on the dash board only cited by law enforcement. On 12/19/2020 Officer [XXX] with Guadelupe Sheriffs Officer issued a warning. The warning cited No License Plate Light. I took photos of the license plate light and took had the vehicle inspected by the Acura dealership. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11520345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearly resulting in a multiple car crash. Reproduced several times until mechanic was able to diagnose and correct an issue unknown to me. There was no warning light indicator at all, no messages on car navigation/information panel.
NHTSA complaint #11484998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
NHTSA complaint #11483942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While highyway driving for 6 hours the “Check system charging” light came on for a few minutes, then went off for 10 or so minutes, then came back on. I was 10 miles from exit. I exited and left the car running while I checked in to motel. Drove to a parking place, turned off car engine, took a bag to room. When I came back out, flames were flaring from under the hood from battery area near fight front. The car had about 33,500 miles on it. A few weeks before, a “check battery” light had come on briefly. I took the car to dealership and told them about the battery light. I was going on a long trip so I told them to check everything. They replaced the battery and claimed to have checked the alternator, which they said was good. Even though the car only had less than 33,000 miles at that point, this was the fourth battery the car had had put in. 1) the original, 2) second put in by the same dealer, 3) a third when my battery went dead at a casino le one night. The valet charged it and I drove to an all night Autoxone where I bought a new batttery, and 4) the last one a few weeks ago. The Acura had a hard cardboard engine cover that you have to unscrew and remove to access the battery or the rest of the engine. This cover was completely burned up. The car was totaled. I believe the cardboard engine cover played a big part of the fire. Note: the fire occurred at Prescott, Arkansas. I had driven about 7 hours from Austin, Texas that day. The car was serviced in Las Vegas. I have pictures in my phone of the burned out car which I can send to you.
NHTSA complaint #11473565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recently found that there was as noted above. Can you contact the Dealer on my behalf as I am under the impression that the dealer is suppose to replace the defective part at no cost as it does cause an unsafe condition when it occurs. Engine just dies without warning. There has not been an independent assessment of the condition as it occurs on a random basis and of course, never occurs when you want it to.
NHTSA complaint #11452922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving my 2013 Acura Tl on my way to work and suddenly I got an electronic power steering error that resulted in my steering wheel stiff and I had to use all my strength to pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle's steering became very heavy and was very hard to turn. I am fortunate not to be in an accident when it occurred. There is so many people with Acura TL having this issue and Acura need to do something about it.
NHTSA complaint #11444909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Random slipping/stalling causes not to go in gear.. torque converter could. coolant expansion tank needs replacement hoses and cap causes car not to heat up and operate at regulating temperature. Power steering pump replacement
NHTSA complaint #11433039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN
NHTSA complaint #11402934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HFI UNIT/BLUETOOTH OVERHEATS OR DRAWS POWER WHEN CAR IS NOT ON. AFTER 2+ DAYS OF NOT BEING TURNED ON. IT DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #11388495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR SITS IN ONE SPOT FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS. HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. IT DID IT AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. BUT THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS WORK OR TAKING TIME TO GO GET THE BATTERY RECHARGED EVERY WEEK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11340662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD IF I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY. THEN I FOUND OUT THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAIN ON THE BATTERY FROM A FAULTY HANDS-FREE BLUETOOTH MODULE. I WATCHED A VIDEO THEN DISCONNECTED MINE MYSELF, PROBLEM SOLVED. I'VE USED A HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KIT BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ARE YELLOW AND THEY HAVE SPIDER-CRACKS ALL IN THEM, IT REALLY AFFECTS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHT ITSELF. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED BEYOND REPAIR AND I'M TERRIFIED OF GETTING INTO A WRECK IN MY CAR, THE DASH WOULD BECOME SHRAPNEL!
NHTSA complaint #11340032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT THE TIME OF THIS TEXT, THE CAR IS AT AN ACURA SERVICE CENTER. THE INTERIOR HAS BECOME SOAKED WITH WATER AFFECTING THE BATTERY & POSSIBLY OTHER COMPONENTS. THE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, CREATING A DAMP & VERY WET INTERIOR, HAS CAUSED MOLD TO FORM EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE CAR, I AM A SEVERE ASTHMATIC & THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL TO MY HEALTH. I WILL BE PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11327101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.