2008 Acura TL: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 124 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (22% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My car caught on fire from under the hood. Me and my son was sitting in the car and it just caught on fire. I was scared and didn't know how it happen. I drove an hour and thiry plus minutes to my destination and when I got there. I parked my car and sat in it while I waited for the phone repair show to open up.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2024
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the passenger's side dashboard was cracked near the passenger's side air bag housing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2021
“Was looking to sell my car soon and was looking on kelly blue books and turned out my car had an unresolved recall but I was never given a notice or any paper work from the current dealership I am buying from. I did notice the same exactly problem on my car that was listed on the recall information provided to me.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2021
“Tl* the contact owned a 2008 acura tl. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, he detected a fuel and oil odor. The contact then saw smoke and flames coming from under the hood near the front driver's side windshield. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's friend's residence. The dealer lyle pearson acura (7675 w gratz dr, boise, id 83709) and manufacturer were made aware of the failure and opened a case, however no further assistance had been provided. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12v222000 (steering). The failure mileage was 160,000. *dt”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2020
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2020
“There is a long gash in the dashboard by the passenger airbag. Apparently this is a known issue based on internet searches and acura has not issued any recall for the same even though it poses a potential safety risk. I reached out to acura corporate and their response was that because my vehicle is outside the initial warranty period, there is nothing they can do. There are numerous online records of individuals with the same model year reporting this issue. I am concerned that this not being resolved poses a safety risk to my family and other occupants of my 2008 acura tl which was purchased brand new. Thank you for your help.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
“After owning the acura tl for 11 years, one day last week, I noticed 2 cracks in the dashboard on both sides of the passenger airbag. The car was parked on a city street. I am afraid that if the airbag deploys, pieces of the dashboard could fly out.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE.
Remedy: AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551).
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 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 2008 Acura TL reliable?
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Acura TL. The most complained-about area is air bags (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Acura TL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Acura TL have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. 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.