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2004 Acura TL: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2004 Acura TL has 551 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any TL model year[1][2]. The two largest complaint groups are structure and air bags[3][4], and the car has four recalls to check[5][6][7][8].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 551 complaints for this model year[1]. Thirteen mention a crash and 6 a fire, and 17 injuries are reported[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Structure[3] | 232 |
| Air bags[4] | 199 |
| Power train[10] | 56 |
| Tires[11] | 51 |
| Unknown or other[12] | 49 |
| Steering[13] | 34 |
| Suspension[14] | 30 |
| Brakes[15] | 16 |
Structure and air bags. In the sample of complaints we read for these two groups, owners describe a cracking dashboard. The cracks run around the passenger air bag area. Some owners worry the air bag may not deploy properly, and some say the dealer or warranty company called it normal wear[3][4]. A smaller number of air bag complaints describe a bag that did not deploy in a crash[4]. The median mileage at failure is 90,000 for structure and 97,902 for air bags[3][4]. Air bag complaints include 6 crashes and 9 injuries[4].
Vibration. In the power train sample, owners describe a vibration at steady speeds, often between about 45 and 60 mph[10]. Several say new tires and wheel balancing did not cure it[10]. The tire sample tells a similar story. Owners describe vibration on the original tires, flat spotting and weak grip in wet weather[11]. A few structure complaints mention vibration too[3]. Median mileage at failure is 98,000 for the power train group and 11,200 for tires[10][11].
Steering. The steering group has 34 complaints, including 3 fires and a median mileage of 113,000[13]. The power steering hose recall is covered below[7].
Brakes have the fewest complaints, at 16, with no crashes, fires or injuries[15].
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Driver air bag inflator (19V182). Honda is recalling about 1,101,534 vehicles across many models, and the TL is on the list[5]. The cars got a replacement driver air bag inflator or module of the same type in an earlier Takata repair. A manufacturing error means the inflator may explode in a crash and throw metal fragments, which could seriously injure or kill occupants. Dealers replace the driver's inflator with a different one, free of charge[5].
- Wiper motor (08V092). About 129,600 TLs from 2004 and 2005 are covered[6]. Water can get into the wiper motor and corrode it, which can make the motor stop working and raise the chance of a crash in some conditions. Dealers inspect the motor. They add a snorkel tube and foam tape, or replace the motor if it is corroded[6].
- Power steering hose (08V091). About 273,000 TLs from 2004 to 2008 are covered[7]. High under-hood heat can crack the hose and leak fluid. Fluid on a hot catalytic converter can make smoke and possibly start an under-hood fire. Dealers install a heat resistant hose free of charge[7]. This expands an earlier recall, 07V551[7].
- Automatic transmission (04V176). About 1,099,796 vehicles across several models are covered, and TL owners were told by letter starting June 29, 2004[8]. Heat can build up between two gears and chip or break the teeth. That could lock the transmission and cause a crash. With 15,000 miles or less, the dealer changes an oil cooler return line[8]. With more miles, the dealer checks the gears and replaces the transmission if they show heat discoloration[8].
Two of them, 19V182 and 08V091, say the repair is free of charge[5][7]. The facts we have do not say whether the other two are free, so ask the dealer, and ask for proof each one was done.
Fuel economy
EPA lists two versions, both with a 3.2L 6-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and premium fuel[9][16].
EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,900 for both[9][16]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists no 5-star safety rating[17] for the 2004 TL four-door. It shows the car as not rated[17].
Engine and size
EPA lists a 3.2L 6-cylinder engine[9][16]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2004 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 26 | 2 |
| 1997 | 23 | 2 |
| 1998 | 20 | 2 |
| 1999 | 157 | 4 |
| 2000 | 249 | 6 |
| 2001 | 149 | 3 |
| 2002 | 333 | 7 |
| 2003 | 391 | 5 |
| 2004 | 551 | 4 |
| 2005 | 388 | 5 |
| 2006 | 247 | 4 |
| 2007 | 124 | 2 |
| 2008 | 124 | 2 |
| 2009 | 42 | 3 |
| 2010 | 64 | 3 |
| 2011 | 20 | 3 |
| 2012 | 130 | 3 |
| 2013 | 62 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 | 3 |
Among the TL model years NHTSA lists, 2004 has the most complaints at 551[2]. The next highest are 2003 with 391 and 2005 with 388[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read this as a rough guide only.
Recalls tell a different story. The 2004 model has 4, while 2002 has 7, 2000 has 6, and 2003 and 2005 have 5 each[2]. Later years all have fewer complaints than 2004, for example 388 for 2005 and 247 for 2006[2].
Should you buy a used 2004 Acura TL?
The 2004 TL draws more complaints than any other TL year[2]. In the sample we read, owners describe dashboard cracking and vibration[3][4][10], but those themes come from a small sample of texts, so treat them as things to check, not as a verdict. Check that all four recalls were completed, especially the driver air bag inflator and the power steering hose, since both involve injury or fire risk[5][7]. On a test drive, hold steady speeds between about 45 and 60 mph and look at the dashboard above the passenger air bag[10][4]. Fuel economy is 21 MPG combined on premium fuel, and EPA estimates $3,900 a year[9][16].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Acura TL?
- The biggest complaint groups on file with NHTSA are structure with 232 complaints and air bags with 199[3][4]. In the sample we read, owners describe a cracking dashboard near the passenger air bag[3][4]. Others describe vibration at steady speeds[10][11].
- Does the 2004 Acura TL have recalls?
- Yes, four. They cover the driver air bag inflator (19V182), the wiper motor (08V092), the power steering hose (08V091) and the automatic transmission (04V176)[5][6][7][8]. The air bag inflator and power steering hose recalls say the repair is free of charge[5][7].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2004 Acura TL?
- EPA lists 18 city, 28 highway and 21 combined MPG for the manual, and 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined for the automatic[9][16]. Both use premium fuel.
- Is the 2004 Acura TL the worst TL year?
- It has the most complaints of any TL year, at 551, compared with 391 for 2003[2]. It does not have the most recalls, since 2002 has 7 and 2004 has 4[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.
- Did the 2004 Acura TL get a NHTSA safety rating?
- NHTSA lists the four-door as not rated for 5-star safety[17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 551 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Acura TL (13 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 232 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 199 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,902). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V092, filed February 27, 2008: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V091, filed February 27, 2008: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V176, filed April 15, 2004: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for TL, 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 56 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 51 complaints name the tires component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 49 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 34 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 113,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for TL, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TL 4DR SEDAN FWD /DYNAMIC PACK: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,494 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TL 4DR SEDAN FWD /NAVI PACK: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,578 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov