CarBrief

NHTSA has 124 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Acura TL[1]. The car has 2 recalls, both for a power steering hose that can leak fluid and cause smoke or a fire[2][3].

124owner complaints[1]
2recalls[4]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 124 complaints for this model year[1]. Five mention a fire, 5 mention injuries, 2 mention a crash and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part, so the group counts below overlap.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[6] 41
Electrical system[7] 25
Structure[8] 20
Unknown or other[9] 16
Steering[10] 15
Engine[11] 7
Power train[12] 7
Brakes[13] 6

We read a sample of 12 complaint texts from each of the top groups. It is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe, not how often a problem happens.

Air bags. In the sample, 10 of 12 owners describe cracks in the dashboard around the passenger air bag, and some worry the crack could affect the air bag[6]. Three describe an air bag warning light or message[6]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 102,000[6].

Electrical system. In the sample, 8 of 12 owners describe a dead or draining battery[7]. Five of them name the hands-free link system as the cause[7]. The median mileage at failure is 74,500[7].

Structure. Nine of the 12 sampled texts describe dashboard cracks, most of them on the passenger side, filed under structure instead of air bags[8]. Because of this overlap, the structure and air bag counts should not be added together. The median mileage at failure is 73,450[8].

Steering. In the sample, 11 of 12 owners describe a power steering fluid leak, often with smoke from under the hood[10]. Several say they were told their car, often a Type S, was not included in the recall[10]. Steering has 3 of the fire mentions and 1 of the crash mentions[10]. The median mileage at failure is 81,029[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2007 TL, and both are about the power steering hose[4].

Fuel economy

All three EPA listings use premium fuel and front-wheel drive[5][14][15].

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5)[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
3.5L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[14] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,900
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5)[15] 17 / 26 / 20 $4,100

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car (4 DR FWD) as not rated[16]. There are no star scores to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA listings show a 3.2L 6-cylinder and a 3.5L 6-cylinder[5][14][15]. Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for a TL /TYPE-S, converted to US units. They can differ slightly from US models[17].

Measure Value
Length[17] 189 in
Width[17] 76 in
Height[17] 57 in
Wheelbase[17] 108 in
Curb weight[17] 3,620 lb

How 2007 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 recalls20052006: 247 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 124 complaints, 2 recalls12420072008: 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 2007 is highlighted[4].
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

The 2007 TL has 124 complaints and 2 recalls[4]. The 2008 TL has the same numbers[4].

Every model year from 1999 to 2006 has more complaints, from 149 in 2001 up to 551 in 2004[4]. The 2012 model year has 130, slightly more than 2007[4]. The 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 model years have fewer, from 17 to 64[4].

On recalls, 2 is fewer than every year from 1999 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2014, which have 3 to 7[4]. The 1996 to 1998 model years also have 2[4]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[4].

Should you buy a used 2007 TL?

Among TL years, 2007 has fewer complaints than every year from 1999 to 2006, and the same as 2008[4]. The power steering hose is the item to check first, because both recalls are about it and the risk is a fluid leak that can lead to smoke or fire[2][3]. Ask the seller whether the recall work on the hose was done. The sampled complaints also point to dashboard cracks near the passenger air bag and a battery that goes flat[6][7]. This is a sample of owner reports, not a full reliability study, so a pre-purchase inspection is still wise.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Acura TL?
Air bags is the largest complaint group with 41 of 124 complaints[6][1]. In a sample we read, owners describe dashboard cracks near the passenger air bag and a battery that goes flat[6][7].
Does the 2007 Acura TL have recalls?
Yes, 2 recalls, 12V222 and 08V091, both for a power steering hose that can leak fluid onto a hot catalytic converter[2][3].
What MPG does the 2007 Acura TL get?
EPA rates it from 20 to 21 MPG combined, depending on engine and transmission[5][14][15].
Is the 2007 Acura TL safe?
NHTSA 5-Star ratings list it as not rated[16]. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for it, both for the power steering hose[2][3].
Is 2007 a good year for the Acura TL?
It has fewer complaints than every year from 1999 to 2006, but more than 2009 to 2011, 2013 and 2014[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 124 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Acura TL (2 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 12V222, filed May 17, 2012: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 08V091, filed February 27, 2008: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. 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
  6. 41 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 20 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,450). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 119,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,029). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for TL, 3.5L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for TL, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TL /TYPE-S: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,620 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.