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2006 Acura TL: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Acura TL[1]. Four recalls are on record for this model year, including one for driver air bag inflators and one for a power steering hose that can leak onto hot parts[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 247 complaints for the 2006 TL[1]. Eight mention a crash, 2 a fire and 5 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components. The counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The largest groups by complaint count are:
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags[6] | 85 | 101,000 |
| Structure[7] | 64 | 89,500 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 44 | 90,000 |
| Electrical system[9] | 31 | 75,000 |
| Steering[10] | 28 | 120,000 |
| Power train[11] | 19 | 108,353 |
| Brakes[12] | 13 | 56,250 |
| Engine[13] | 10 | 85,000 |
We also read a small sample of complaint texts from the larger groups. It is a sample, so it shows what owners describe and not how common a problem is.
- Air bags and structure. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 8 describe cracks in the dashboard along the passenger air bag seam, and owners say they worry about how the air bag will work[6]. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 11 describe the same dashboard cracking, with some owners saying it grew within days[7]. In that air bag sample, 3 describe side air bags going off over a pothole, or a warning light with no fault found[6].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 10 involve the hands-free (Bluetooth) link module, either failing or draining the battery so the car would not start[9]. Some owners quote repair bills of several hundred dollars[9].
- Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints, 7 describe power steering fluid leaking from a hose or the rack, and some mention a stiff or noisy wheel[10]. This matches the hose recall below.
Power train (19 complaints), brakes (13) and engine (10) are small groups, so we do not call them common problems[11][12][13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2006 TL, newest first. Recall ids are plain text.
- Driver air bag inflator (19V182). Dated 2019-03-06[3]. It covers cars that got a replacement driver air bag inflator in an earlier Takata recall repair, or a replacement module with the same inflator type. A manufacturing error means the inflator may explode in a crash and send metal fragments at the driver or other occupants. The risk is serious injury or death. Honda notifies owners, and dealers replace the inflator with an alternate one free of charge[3].
- Power steering hose (08V091). Dated 2008-02-27[4]. It covers 273,000 vehicles[4]. Long periods of high under-hood heat can make the hose crack and leak power steering fluid. Fluid on a hot catalytic converter makes smoke and could lead to an under-hood fire. Dealers install a heat resistant hose free of charge[4].
- Owner's manual hotline (06V270). Dated 2006-07-26[14]. Some owner's manuals had the wrong contact information for the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline. Honda sends a postcard with the correct details to insert in the manual. It is a paperwork fix and not a mechanical one[14].
- Front impact sensor bolts (05V510). Dated 2005-11-03[15]. It covers 316 vehicles[15]. The bolts on the front impact sensors near the headlights were not tightened properly. If they loosen, the sensor may not detect a crash, and the front air bag could deploy late or not at all. Dealers remove the bumper and retighten the bolts[15].
A recall listed for the model can still apply to a given car, so ask whether the repairs for a specific car were done.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 3.2L 6-cylinder TL with a 6-speed manual at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG[5]. The Automatic (S5) version has the same ratings[16]. Both are front-wheel drive and use premium fuel[5][16]. EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $3,900 for each, based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions and not prices from when the car was new[5][16].
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4 door front-wheel-drive TL show as not rated[17]. So there is no star rating here to compare.
Engine and size
EPA lists a 3.2L 6-cylinder engine for this TL[5][16]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, converted to inches and pounds, and they can differ slightly from US models[18][19].
How 2006 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 |
NHTSA has 247 complaints and 4 recalls on file for the 2006 TL[2]. That is fewer complaints than 2002 (333), 2003 (391), 2004 (551) and 2005 (388), and more than 2007 and 2008, which have 124 each[2]. The 2000 model year is close, at 249[2]. For recalls, 2007 and 2008 have 2 each, and 2009 through 2014 have 3 each[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, but they are comparable across years of the same model.
Should you buy a used 2006 Acura TL?
The data gives a mixed picture. The 2006 TL has fewer complaints than the 2002 to 2005 model years, but more than 2007 and 2008[2]. Owners in the samples we read describe cracked dashboards near the passenger air bag and hands-free link battery drain, so check both on any car you look at[7][9]. Ask whether the repairs were done, especially for the driver air bag inflator and power steering hose recalls, which both have a free dealer fix[3][4]. Look for power steering fluid leaks too[10]. NHTSA has no star rating for this car, so you will need other sources for crash safety[17].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Acura TL?
- By complaint count, air bags lead with 85 of 247 complaints, then structure with 64[1][6][7]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe cracked dashboards near the passenger air bag, hands-free link battery drain and power steering leaks[6][9][10].
- Does the 2006 Acura TL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recalls, covering driver air bag inflators, the power steering hose, front impact sensor bolts and owner's manual hotline details[3][4][14][15].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Acura TL?
- EPA rates it at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG, with the manual or the Automatic (S5), on premium fuel[5][16].
- Is the 2006 Acura TL a reliable car?
- Our data cannot give one reliability score. It shows 247 complaints on file, which is lower than 2002 to 2005 and higher than 2007 and 2008[1][2]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- Did the 2006 Acura TL get a NHTSA safety rating?
- The 4 door front-wheel-drive version shows as not rated in NHTSA's 5-Star program[17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Acura TL (8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V091, filed February 27, 2008: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 85 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,353). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 06V270, filed July 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V510, filed November 3, 2005: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- 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 FWD: 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