1999 Acura TL: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 157 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (34% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2021
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Acura of concord ca #251621 informed in a telephone call that they do not intend to repair the driver frontal airbag module within 60 days of my april 10 2020 request for a service appointment. The safety of the driver is in jeaporday”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to bergstrom used car super center of appleton (2925 n victory ln #101, appleton, wi 54913, (800) 398-6846) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact's father owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags). The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called acura of concord (1340 concord ave, concord, ca 94520 (925) 674-1900) and was informed that the parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided, VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags). The contact called proctor acura dealer located at 3523 w. Tennessee st, tallahassee, fl 32304, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.*dt*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact contacted hiley acura (3125 ne loop 820, fort worth, tx 76137; (817) 232-2872) where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to various independent mechanics who had provided several repair solutions but they did not repair the condition. The vehicle was not yet inspected and diagnosed by a dealer. The contact was not made aware and did not receive notification of NHTSA campaign number: 03v423000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura tl. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the engine stopped. The brake warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to turn the key to the off position, shift into park, and turn the key in the ignition in order for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Two days later, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000. Updated 01/25/2017*ct the consumer has since sold the vehicle. Updated 02/14/17.*jb”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact TL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Acura TL reliable?
NHTSA has 157 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Acura TL. The most complained-about area is electrical system (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Acura TL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 112,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Acura TL have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.