CarBrief

The 2005 Acura TL has 388 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and structure and air bags are the largest component groups[1][2][3]. It also has 5 recalls, including a fuel pump issue that could stall the engine[4][5].

388owner complaints[1]
5recalls[5]
21MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 388 complaints about the 2005 TL with NHTSA[1]. Seven mention a crash[1]. Three mention a fire and 7 an injury, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Structure[2] 156 93,950
Air bags[3] 144 100,000
Unknown or other[7] 64 120,000
Power train[8] 36 77,000
Electrical system[9] 28 117,000
Steering[10] 25 128,500
Tires[11] 20 12,206
Engine[12] 12 79,000

Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners spoke up, not how likely a failure is.

Structure and air bags. In a sample of 12 structure complaints we read, 10 describe a cracked dashboard[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 10 describe cracking around the passenger air bag, and the writers worry about how the air bag would work[3].

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 6 describe a manual transmission that pops out of third gear or is hard to shift into it[8]. Power train complaints include 3 crashes[8].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 7 describe a dead or draining battery[9]. Several of those writers point to the hands-free phone system as the cause. That is their opinion, not a finding[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this car[5]. Newest first:

Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether any are still open on your car.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 3.2L 6-cylinder TL at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG with the Manual 6-spd[6]. The Automatic (S5) gets the same ratings[17]. Both use premium fuel and front-wheel drive. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,900 for each[6][17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2005 TL four-door as not rated[18].

Engine and size

The EPA ratings above are for a 3.2L 6-cylinder engine[6][17]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Dynamic pack[19] 189 in 72 in 57 in 108 in 3,494 lb
Navi pack[20] 189 in 72 in 57 in 108 in 3,578 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1995: 1 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 26 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 23 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 20 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 157 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 249 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 149 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 333 complaints, 7 recalls2003: 391 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 551 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 388 complaints, 5 recalls38820052006: 247 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 124 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 124 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 42 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 64 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 20 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 130 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 62 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 17 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each TL model year. The 2005 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
199510
1996262
1997232
1998202
19991574
20002496
20011493
20023337
20033915
20045514
20053885
20062474
20071242
20081242
2009423
2010643
2011203
20121303
2013623
2014173

NHTSA has complaints on file for 20 TL model years[5]. The 2005 model has 388 complaints, the third most[5]. Only 2004 (551) and 2003 (391) are higher[5]. For recalls, the 2005 TL has 5, behind 2002 with 7 and 2000 with 6, and level with 2003[5]. For comparison, the 2009 model has 42 complaints and the 2014 model has 17[5].

Should you buy a used 2005 TL?

The 2005 TL has a heavy complaint history, and the biggest groups point at the dashboard and air bags[2][3]. Dashboard cracks appeared in 10 of 12 complaints in the structure sample we read, and 10 of 12 in the air bag sample described cracking around the passenger air bag[2][3]. Inspect the dashboard closely. If you test drive a manual, pay attention to third gear[8]. Before buying, run the VIN for open recalls, especially the driver air bag inflator and fuel pump items, since stalling and inflator failure are the more serious risks described[13][4][16]. Fuel economy is the same for both transmissions, at 21 MPG combined[6][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2005 Acura TL?
Owners filed 388 NHTSA complaints[1]. The largest groups are structure with 156 and air bags with 144, and in the samples we read, 10 of 12 complaints in each described dashboard cracks[1][2][3].
Does the 2005 Acura TL have recalls?
Yes, 5 recalls are on file[5]. They cover the driver air bag inflator, wiper motor, power steering hose, fuel pump relay and fuse box, and each lists a dealer remedy[13][14][15][4][16].
What MPG does a 2005 Acura TL get?
EPA rates it at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG, for both the Manual 6-spd and the Automatic (S5)[6][17].
Which Acura TL model year has the fewest complaints?
The 1995 model has 1 complaint[5]. Next lowest, 2014 has 17 complaints, and 1998 and 2011 have 20 each[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 388 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Acura TL (7 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 156 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,950). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 144 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 07V097, filed March 14, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for TL, 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 64 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 36 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 28 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 128,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 20 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,206). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 08V092, filed February 27, 2008: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 08V091, filed February 27, 2008: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 05V132, filed April 5, 2005: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. NHTSA recall database
  17. 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
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. 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
  20. 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

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.