RoadVitals

2005 Acura TL Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Nov 28, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 387 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Acura TL submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSteering
Filed Nov 28, 2022
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that she had parked her vehicle and went inside a store as her children waited inside the vehicle. Her son then texted her from inside the vehicle that the alarm had gone off. Soon after the alarm went off, her daughter noticed that both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle. Her children exited the vehicle as the front end of the vehicle caught fire. Pedestrians called for the authorities and both the police and fire departments arrived at the scene. The fire was extinguished and an incident report was filed. No injuries were reported; another vehicle was damaged as a result of the fire. The vehicle had yet to be towed or removed from the scene of the incident. Prior to the failure, the contact had noticed that while driving at highway speeds, heat would emit from vents despite the A/C being turned off. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V091000(Steering). The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,300.

NHTSA ID
11495194
Incident
Nov 27, 2022
Mileage
200,300 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 7, 2019

MY 2005 ACURA TL HAS LOST POWER AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE BATTERY ALSO COMPLETELY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A DAY OR TWO. I JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN TIMES BY 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. MY ISSUES SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO THE FUSE BOX RECALL BUT MY VIN DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL APPARENTLY.

NHTSA ID
11229903
Incident
Jan 15, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2016

IN THE ACURA 3.2 MOTORS, THE CYLINDERS HAVE OIL RELEASE HOLES THAT ARE NOT SMOOTH WHICH IS CAUSING METAL SHAVINGS TO GET STUCK, SHAVE AND DAMAGE THE CAM SHAFTS AND CAUSE MOTOR FAILURE. THEY ARE CAUSING SERIOUS GROOVES ON THE OUTER 2 CAM BEARINGS THAT HAVE THE LARGER RELEASE HOLES. MY MOTOR FAILED DUE TO THIS. I WAS DRIVING, CAR STOPPED RUNNING, I THOUGHT MY TIMING SLIPPED. I PULLED THE MOTOR APART AND MY CAM WAS SEIZED UP AFTER LOOKING INTO IT FURTHER. I ORDER A NEW MOTOR SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, THINKING IT WAS JUST MY MOTOR. I PULLED THE NEW MOTOR APART AND I FOUND THE SAME ISSUE! THE CAM WAS GETTING SCORED DUE TO THE OIL RELEASE HOLE NOT BEING SMOOTH. I ALSO REALIZED THAT ON THE SIDE THAT WAS NOT GETTING DAMAGED IT HAD AN OIL SYLPH, AND WHICH THE SIDE THAT WAS GETTING DAMAGED DID NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10917214
Incident
Oct 12, 2016
Mileage
129,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILTER SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10817236
Incident
Dec 29, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10542276
Incident
Sep 6, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE THEN RESET AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD INITIATED IN OPEN LOOP MODE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,800.

NHTSA ID
10464433
Incident
Jun 27, 2012
Mileage
136,800 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 20, 2011

ENGINE NOISE: A VIBRATION AND LOW BUZZING SOUND IN 5TH GEAR CAUSED BY NORMAL ENGINE VIBRATION AT AROUND 1,500 RPM, REQUIRING A VIBRATION DAMPER NEAR THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT. ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL AT NORMAL HIGHWAYS SPEED LIMITS. AND CAUSING TIRES TO CUP AND GET BALD. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON FREEWAY CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC DUE TO VIBRATION FROM FRONT AND REAR BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND A TROUBLE CODE FOR THE COOLANT SENSOR MAY BE STORED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE GLITCH IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE BRAKES: BRAKE PEDAL MAY FEEL SPONGY OR HAVE EXCESSIVE TRAVEL DUE TO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE VSA MODULATOR. (2004-06) TOTAL REPAIR COST SO FAR... ITEM NAME REPAIR COST A/C COMPRESSOR $1,320 ALTERNATOR $780 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OR TRANSAXLE $3,460 BRAKES $1,320 EXHAUST SYSTEM $890 RADIATOR $920 SHOCKS AND/OR STRUTS $3,200 TIMING CHAIN OR BELT $1,050. *TR

NHTSA ID
10440650
Incident
Jul 16, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2010

WAS DRIVING IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. APPROX 50 MILES LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. PULLED OFF ROAD AND HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THAT THE IGNITION COIL HAD WATER ON IT WHICH SHORTED IT OUT. SHORT ALSO REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ONE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. WATER WAS FROM BLOCKED HOSE FROM AREA DIRECTLY UNDER WINDSHIELD WHICH HAD BEEN BLOCKED BY DEBRIS. DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD SAME PROBLEM COME IN A FEW WEEKS EARLIER. IN THAT CASE, THE IGNITION COIL HAD BURNED INTO THE ENGINE HEAD, REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345550
Incident
Jul 18, 2010
Mileage
58,600 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN DAYS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO CENTER; THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10326878
Incident
Apr 20, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2009

THE CAR EXPERIENCES FLUCTUATIONS IN VEHICLE RPM AT ALL SPEEDS WHILE KEEPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONSTANT. THIS IS NOTICED WITH AND WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BUT MORE NOTICEABLE AT AROUND 40MPH. I BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALERS ATTENTION AT THE SECOND YEAR STATE INSPECTION SERVICE (15,793 MILES) BUT NOTHING WAS DONE AS I THOUGHT I WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10255512
Incident
Jul 7, 2007
Mileage
10,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, IT BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE VIBRATED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. LATER THAT WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK SLOWLY IN THE MORNINGS. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR, FUEL RATIO SENSOR, AND THE ALTERNATOR BELT WERE ALL REPLACED. AFTER THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. REMAILED 12/05/08

NHTSA ID
10247279
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
37,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2005

ONLY AFTER 4 WEEKS OF PURCHASING A NEW ACURA TL 2005, THE ENGINE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE BATTERY AND LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LAMPS BOTH CAME ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE RE-STARTED. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 9 DAYS GETTING TESTS RUN, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING AND WANTED TO RETURN THE CAR IN THE SAME CONDITION!

NHTSA ID
10128244
Incident
Jun 21, 2005
Mileage
1,450 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .