Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Acura TL submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
I was driving and all of a sudden I hit a pot hole and then when I went to take a turn my car ended up making a shaking rattling sound when I pulled to to side to check it the ball joint was half way out of the control arm
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH with her mother in the front passenger’s side seat, her mother informed her that the vehicle was bouncing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front lower control arms, shocks, and bushings were replaced; however, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side of the vehicle dropped significantly and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E022000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light comes on and tugs the vehicle to the right. When we purchased the vehicle I drove it home with my 16 year old (it is planned to be his first car) and I was on the highway going 60 and the VSA light came on and tugged the vehicle to the right. I did not lose control but it can definitely catch someone off guard and cause them to over correct. I took the car in to a local auto shop and they said there was a fault on the VSA module and a couple of other issues. I spent $1,300 to replace both front bearings, hubs, 1 speed control sensor because they recommended that be done before looking to replace the VSA modulating assembly ($1,800 + install). I checked the Acura site and (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) but there is nothing there about a recall for the VSA module. I have seen other posts online of people saying that the car pulls to the right when the VSA light comes on so I seems to be an issue. In winter conditions having an issue like this could cause an over correction and/or loss of control which could cause an accident.
AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE POWER STEERING WON'T STOP FREAKING EXPLODING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE HOSES GOING BAD. I ONCE AGAIN WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH NO POWER STEERING TRYING TO MUSCLE MY WAY BACK TO THE SHOP. THIS IS RIDICULOUSSSSSSS. WHY ARE THEY NOT TELLING US THEIR CARS HAVE ISSUES!!!!!
I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL, THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I EXITED A HIGHWAY, CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND LUCKILY I DIDN'T HURT AO OR MYSELF. THANK YOU STAY SAFE. I THINK IT WAS IN 2015.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A LOUD BOOM SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND CAUSED THE WHEELS TO "MOVE UP AND DOWN". THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
STRUTS SNAPPED ON HIGHWAY
THE AFTERMARKET ULTRA-POWER K500117 {#51210SEPA01} (ECONOMY) BALL JOINT REPRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. IT CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE JPG ULTRA-POWER K500117 {#51210SEPA01} (ECONOMY) AFTER FAILURE SHOWS THE LOWER CONTROL BUSHING RIPPED FROM THE LLOWER CONTROL ARM. JPG BECK/ARNLEY 1027932 BUSHING CLOSE-UP IS IDENTICAL DESIGN AS THE ACURA OEM PART. THIS BUSHING IS PRESSED INTO THE CONTROL ARM FROM THE TOP. FROM THE FACTORY, ONCE THE BALL JOINT IS IN PLACE, THE RETAINER NUT HOLDS BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND BUSHING SECURELY IN THE CONTROL ARM. THE FACTORY FLANGED NUT IS LARGER THAN THE BUSHING DIAMETER AS TO ENSURE CONTACT WITH THE CONTROL ARM UNDERSIDE. OBSERVE THE NUT IN .JPG ULTRA-POWER K500117 {#51210SEPA01} (ECONOMY)'S. IT IS A STANDARD LOCK NUT. THE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL. IT MAKES NO CONTACT WITH THE CONTROL ARM, BUT RATHER SEATS DIRECTLY TO THE BUSHING. THE BUSHING IS ONLY PRESSED IN, AND WILL EVENTUALLY PULL OUT. AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE AFTER FAILURE PICTURE, THERE IS NO WAY THE NUT COULD HOLD THE BALL JOINT AND BUSHING IN PLACE AS ACURA (HONDA) DESIGNED IT TO DO. PLEASE LOOK AT THE NUT OF THE MOOG K500117 AS AN EXAMPLE OF A CORRECTLY DESIGNED BALL JOINT AND NUT, AND HOW THE NUT IS FLANGED. THIS IS THE CORRECT STYLE NUT AS IT WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM INSTEAD OF ONLY THE PRESSED IN BUSHING. IT CAN BE EASILY SEEN IN THE SECOND PICTURE THAT THE NUT IS CLEARLY SMALLER THAN THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. ORDER NUMBER 82540335 THROUGH ROCK AUTO WAS PURCHASED ON 4/12/2018. THE BALL JOINT, BUSHING AND NUT SIMPLY PULLED OUT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS DESTROYED, AS IS THE CV AXLE. DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND FENDER SKIRT AS WELL. IT IS FORTUNATE THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT RATHER THAN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS JUST MOMENTS BEFORE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE YARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO JAGGS AUTO SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E022000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND PULLING INTO A STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE WAS BRIEFLY PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PREMATURELY FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE, BALL JOINTS, AND LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E022000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,897.
THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARMS THAT CONNECT TO THE TIE RODS, SWAY BARS AND LINKS TO CV AXLE AND I BELEIVE RACK AND PINION SUSPENSION CAME APART FROM THE TIRES AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILD AS A PASSENGER WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS WE WERE IN ROUTE TO TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS CRASH OCCURED.
2004 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BALL JOINT FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, STOPPED IN THE STREET AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO DRIVE UP THE STREET, WHEN SUDDENLY HE HEARD A VERY LOUD METALLIC SNAP AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT HAD SEVERED. THE UNSUPPORTED WHEEL THEN PULLED THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER NEAR THE GUARD RAILS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT BUMPER AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 06/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/26/09.*JB
I PURCHASED VEHICLE AUGUST 2, 2008. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HUMS AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AND A VIBRATION CAN BE FELT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB NUMBER 05-076 THAT WAS ISSUED BY ACURA. THE TSB PERTAINS TO TIRE WEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOADED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK A ROAD TRIP WITH 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TRIP WAS 5,600 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALD A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. HE CALLED THE ACURA DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TIRES WITH THE TOWING ISSUE AND THE TSB, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE BOTH ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER DIDN'T BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES. HE BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE POOR DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IN HIS CASE WAS ABOUT 300LBS COMPRISED OF SUITCASES AND HIS DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT (THE SUITCASES WERE IN THE TRUNK). WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE NOTICED THE TREAD ON THE TIRES HAD WORN DOWN TO NOTHING. UPDATED 09/10/08
ON JANUARY 4, 2008, WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOPLIGHT IN CLIFTON PARK, NY, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF THE MY 2004 ACURA TL BROKE LOOSE AND WAS NO LONGER CONTROLLABLE. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE/COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOOK THE CAR TO NORTHEAST ACURA. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD 61,634 MILES ON IT. I DIDN'T HEAR FROM NORTHEAST ACURA FOR OVER A WEEK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR (STEPHEN WITTEK) VERIFIED THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED AND IT HAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE DRIVESHAFT. AT THIS POINT I ASKED HIM IF IT WAS NORMAL TO ONLY REPLACE ONE BALL JOINT. HE SAID, NORMALLY, YOU'RE RIGHT. BUT THE LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT DIDN'T SHOW ANY WEAR AT ALL. IN FACT, THE RIGHT BALL JOINT DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGN OF WEAR EITHER. IT JUST BROKE - IT WASN'T ACTUALLY THE JOINT THAT FAILED BUT THE SUSPENSION ARM THAT HELD THE BALL PORTION OF THE JOINT. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. IT JUST BROKE. WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. NOTE THE QUOTATION MARKS. I CALLED NORTHEAST ACURA AGAIN ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. TO CONFIRM THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE OPEN ON SATURDAY SO THAT I COULD PICK UP MY CAR. I ASKED THE PERSON TO ENSURE THEY PUT THE BROKEN PARTS FROM THE REPAIR IN MY TRUNK. SHE STATED THAT THEY HAD ALREADY DISPOSED OF THE BROKEN PARTS. I FIND IT HIGHLY DOUBTFUL THAT THOSE PARTS WERE NOT RETRIEVABLE ONE DAY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. IN MY SUBSEQUENT DEALINGS WITH ACURA OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP (KEVIN MCCARTHY) STATED THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST THAT THE PART BE RETAINED FOR INSPECTION OF MATERIAL FAILURE. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW IT WAS MATERIAL FAILURE (SEE THE QUOTED PASSAGE ABOVE) AND FAILED TO RETAIN THE PART OR REPORT IT TO ACURA OF NORTH AMERICA. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED (I HAD JUST EXITED OFF I-87 NORTH IN A 65 MPH ZONE), THE RESULTS OF THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR GRAVER THAN THE NOMINAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE DRIVES HIS VEHICLE AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THEN STOPS. ONCE THE SPEED REACHES 75 MPH, THE VIBRATION BECOMES WORSE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE 2004 ACURA TL, WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/18/07 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MECHANIC THAT THE 2 REAR TIRESPREMATURELY WEAR WORE OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #05076. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS BEST TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE 2 BACK TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THESE TIRES CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WITH DOT# 0B6NTU22404 AND SIZE P235/45R17 RADIAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THESE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAS TO PAY 75% OF TIRE REPLACEMENT AS PER THE DEALERSHIP TIRE CHART, HONDA WILL PAY REMAINING 25%. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE AND THE TIRES COULD EXPLODE ANYTIME AND IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
2004 ACURA TL RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE DEALER BLAMED THE FAILURE ON AFTER MARKET RIMS THAT THE CONSUMER PURCHASED, THE BUSINESS WHERE THE RIMS WERE PURCHASED STATED THEY WERE A PROPER FIT FOR THE VEHICLE. *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 ACURA TL ON A RECENTLY REPAVED HIGHWAY WHEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF THE AXLE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO PRECEDING NOISES OR CHANGES IN HANDLING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY AND AVOID INJURY. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, SO I CONTACTED ACURA TLC SERVICE AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER'S REFERRING AUTO BODY SHOP. ACURA EVALUATED THE CAR, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE. THE AUTO BODY MECHANICS AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER BOTH FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ACURA DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND ASKED TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK; THEY DECLINED. I CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AND REQUESTED A REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER TO EVALUATE THE CAR. THEY DECLINED. ONE WEEK AFTER THE INCIDENT, ACURA CLIENT SERVICES MADE THEIR FINAL DETERMINATION NOT TO COVER THIS INCIDENT. ULTIMATELY, THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS FOUND TO HAVE SNAPPED WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OR WEAR AND TEAR. IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW LOWER BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, AXLE, TIRE, WHEEL, AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL AT THE EXPENSE OF MY AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER. *NM
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY, RIGHT FRONT BALL-JOINT BROKE IN HALF WITH NO WARNING OR REASON. RIGHT FRONT TIRE BECAME PERPENDICULAR TO THE VEHICLE. WIFE AND CHILD WERE IN VEHICLE WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE BALL JOINT WAS ABSOLUTELY DEFECTIVE AND ACURA REFUSED TO ASSIST IN REPAIR, CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY. I OWN 2 ACURA AND WILL NEVER BUY HONDA AGAIN. *NM
VIBRATION AT 50-55 MPH. SOMETIMES WORSE THAN OTHERS. CAN MAKE CAR FEEL UNSTABLE. CHANGING TIRES DID NOT HELP. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 50 OR MORE MPH THE 2004 ACURA TL VIBRATES. *TS THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SEAT. THE VIBRATION WAS CONSTANT BUT VARIED IN INTENSITY DEPENDING ON THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AFTER THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD DEEMED THE VIBRATION A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE REAR END THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT. CAUSING ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. HE REPLACED THE REAR TIRES TWICE, EVERY 7,000-8,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD SET OF TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THE REAR TIRE WERE WORN EVENLY THAT ALIGNMENT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. *NM
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED, AND A WHEEL ALIGNED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. AFTERWARDS THE MECHANIC TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THIS VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED, AND HAD A DESIGN FLAW PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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