2006 Acura TL Owner Complaints

As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ID

11749644

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

My Acura (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a non-collision spontaneous deployment of the side airbag while the vehicle was completely stationary. There was no impact, no crash, and no triggering event. This is a serious safety defect that could have caused significant injury or loss of vehicle control had the car been in motion. This vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Recall 19V182000 involving Takata airbag inflators, but the recall repair was never completed, and the recall now shows as closed. It is unclear whether the recall was closed in error or whether the inflator or a related airbag component failed due to the unresolved safety defect. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the deployment. The airbag system gave no indication of a problem. The deployed components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. The issue has not yet been inspected by Acura because, despite opening a safety case over two weeks ago, the manufacturer has not assigned a case manager. Insurance has been notified, but no manufacturer or dealer inspection has occurred yet. Given the prior Takata recall, the incomplete repair history, and the spontaneous deployment, this failure represents a potentially ongoing safety hazard that requires immediate investigation and corrective action. I attached pictures all the way around the car so you can see where the airbags are deployed and there is no damage to the vehicle because there was no collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11699822

Incident

Nov 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed. The contact replaced the sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the power steering hose was leaking. The contact was informed that the steering fluid had entered other unknown components of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was topping off the power steering fluid reservoir every third day. The contact stated that the VSA warning light and air bag light remained illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS), 19E068000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), and 08V091000 (STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11698546

Incident

Sep 10, 2023

Mileage

170,000 mi

power steering leaking fluid

NHTSA ID

11632368

Incident

Dec 21, 2024

I am the original owner of this 2006 Acura TL. I have vertical cracks on the dashboard surrounding the passenger SRS airbag system. Aside from the bad look, is there a safety issue from either the air bag deploying prematurely and/or the air bag deploying in an unsafe manner and injuring the passenger. I have researched this issue online and there are numerous complaints about this dashboard issue and possible issues with the SRS airbag deployment.

NHTSA ID

11616146

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Transmission shifts down very hard, once causing the car to lose traction and skid approximately 10 feet on the highway. The car luckily regained control and I avoided collision. I have seen many other reports of hard shifting in this car.

NHTSA ID

11537036

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

My transmission failed at 105,000 had to pay 4500 for a new transmission, I’m sure they have had complaints about the Acura TL through 2004-2008. I am currently on my third transmission and now the new one is hard shifting already.

NHTSA ID

11528133

Incident

Jun 3, 2019

Dashboard cracked. Internet search revels this is a Acura TL fleet wide issue. Cracked dashboard may rip airbag during deployment rendering it useless, impede airbag deployment, or send shards of plastic during airbag deployment.

NHTSA ID

11515155

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

Car has been in family and well taken care of, smell of fire along with multiple alternators and battery changes. Mechanics cannot figure out why car goes through alternator and batteries. Paid for 6 to 8 alternator and battery. Transmission is now going on car. Like I said car has been taken care of but not worth transmission job, my complaint is I see almost every person who has Acura TL all have transmission problems. I need Acura to answer for all transmission problems through the whole country and why so many alternators and batteries?

NHTSA ID

11514549

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE IS LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SMOKE BILLOWS INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKES DRIVING WITH WINDOW DOWN NECESSARY. AFRAID CONTINUED LEAKAGE WILL START A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OBTAINED A NEW HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BUT AFRAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL DO THE SAME THING OVER TIME. WILL BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE BUT COULD NOT FIND RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11511875

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

2/26/2008 STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER- HOOD FIRE. Summary HONDA IS RECALLING 273.000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551). Notes ACURA RECALL NO. Q73.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP:// WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

NHTSA ID

11465366

Incident

May 19, 2022

I was told by a mechanic that this 2006 Acura TL I bought from Joe's Garage here In Clovis Ca was a car I do not want to be driving. Now when purchased from Joe's Garage he stated he put engine didn't say new or used, He also said the car was practically brand new because previous owner was a high school kid who assume he cracked his radiator and was not the problem, but the kid bought a new car and left Acura there since. Since the purchased I had nothing, but engine problems told Joe never responded I did my own research come to find out Joe's business licensed was suspended and that where he got my car Acura to pass smog of course was a smog business already being investigated for passing car illegally. So I took my Acura to Acura dealer here In Fresno Ca I was told all motor mounts were cracked so they replaced all motor mounts and installed used motor charging me $7,000 at that time I was in the process of suing Joe's Garage however since I have had no car emotionally distress because I paid $2700 for Acura trusting this business man come to find out its Salvaged vehicle now you can understand how frustrated I am not including the losses in my life back to back not been able to just mourn rest etc because of cruel business companies intentions. I'm not asking for much all I want is for you to give Acura Dealer here in Fresno ca the ok to make sure my car is or passed the safety and drivable test making sure everything on car is safe to drive at no cost to me. I have grandkids who are my world and I need to have a good reliable car for them Nathan here at Acura Dealer called me yesterday asking me if I had money, I said no I will file my taxes and see but I honestly feel and would appreciate your help on closing the two companies for good and release my car to me at no cost.

NHTSA ID

11461588

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

I have owned this vehicle for about 9 years and been seeing major cracks in the IP trim, around passenger airbag area. The cracks started to develop about 5 years ago. They were insignificant in the beginning but have accelerated very quickly over the past year or so and seem to be getting worse by the month. I am concerned that these cracks would result in malfunctioning of passenger side airbag in an accident. I purchased this vehicle used and there has not been an accident since I have owned it.

NHTSA ID

11456843

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The contact also stated that the air bag housing along the dashboard was cracked. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,950.

NHTSA ID

11423081

Incident

May 10, 2021

Mileage

133,950 mi

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11402934

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITH THE ABS AND THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, AFTER EACH REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11396477

Incident

May 10, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO SEE ASSUMING IT TO BE DEPLOYED ANYTIME SOON RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE PASSENGER FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ID

11386760

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

203,000 mi

RECALL INCOMPLETE

NHTSA ID

11378180

Incident

Feb 26, 2008

POWER STEERING HOSE OIL LEAKING, ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BIND, DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY EXPLODE, 2001-11 MULTI-MODEL AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALLS , PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. TRANSMISSION OIL IS LEAKING ALL THE OIL IN 4 DAYS

NHTSA ID

11374495

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

I HAVE A 06 ACURA TL AND FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE HEARD A VERY WINDING UP AND DOWN NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, WHEN I AM TURNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IT GETS LOUDER . I NOTICED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE BUT ACURA TELLS ME NO ! I TOOK IT TO A SHOPS AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT'S MY POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING/ COULD BE BAD .. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR , BUT LATELY ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMING FULL CIRCLE. I FIND RECALLS AND WHEN I CALL THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAID IT'S NOT MY CAR BUT I SEE ON THE WEBSITE THAT IT IS , BUT NOT MY VIN # !

NHTSA ID

11361562

Incident

May 21, 2020

Mileage

198,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I WAS COMING TO GET READY TO STOP I STARTED TO BREAK, AT THAT TIME MY BRAKE SYSTEM FELT LIKE I WAS SLIPPING ON BLACK ICE YOU COULD SAY . BUT THE ROAD WAS DRY ! MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP NORMAL I SOMEHOW BY THE GRACE OF GOD GOT IT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET ! MY ABS AND VSA AND THE TRIANGLE WITH ( ! ) WITCH IS ORANGE ALSO ALL CAME ON . I SHUT MY CAR OFF ! AND HAD IT TOWED HOME .. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE LOOK AND SHOW ME BEHIND MY TWO FRONT TIRES THAT THE SPEED SENSORS ARE ON BOTH SIDES DETERRATED AND THE BOLTS ARE MISSING THAT CONNECT EVERYTHING IN PLACE . I HAVE LOOKED UP AND SEEN RECALLS ON THIS SAME SITUATION I AM NOW GOING THREW !

NHTSA ID

11361556

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

BAD TRANSMISSION! CAR DIDN'T MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325512

Incident

May 20, 2020

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MY CAR'S BATTERY WOULD PREMATURELY DRAIN TO THE POINT OF MY HAVING TO PURCHASE SEVERAL BATTERIES IN A MUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAN USUAL. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS THE PROBLEM. BUT ONLY AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE WAS I ABLE TO DETERMINE THE TRUE ISSUE. APPARENTLY, A MODULE USED TO CONTROL THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, AND THE COMPANY HAD KNOWN FOR YEARS AND STILL REFUSED TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND FIX THE ISSUE. I AM AN AGORAPHOBIC PERSON WHO SUFFERS FROM BIPOLAR DISORDER AND OTHER ANXIETY CONDITIONS, SO SIMPLY STICKING A CAR CAN BE TRAUMATIC IN CERTAIN SITUATION. ONE SUCH SITUATION IS EXPECTING BOTH ONE'S NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND BATTERY PERFORM ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY ALL THE TIME; MY REASON FOR PURCHASING THE CAR WAS BECAUSE IT HAD THE PREMIUM NAVIGATION OPTION, WHICH, AT THE TIME, HELPED ALLEVIATE MY ANXIETY BY PROVIDING VERBAL DIRECTIONS IN REAL TIME TO MY LOCATION, WHICH REDUCES THE ANXIETY FROM THE AGORAPHOBIA. IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MY ANXIETY LEVEL HAS INCREASED TO UNHEALTHY LEVELS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE BATTERY CAUSED BY SOME PHANTOM DRAIN FROM A MODULE CONTROLLING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. NISSAN LITERALLY PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER IN ITS FAILURE TO WARN ME ABOUT THE FAULTY MODULE. I DISCONNECTED THE MODULE AND PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY A FEW MONTHS AGO AND ALL SEEMED WELL, OTHER THAN NO NAVIGATION. NOW, IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC MY BATTERY IS DYING AGAIN IN THE MOST INCONVENIENT PLACES SUCH THAT I'M LITERALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP AND MAKE THEM FIX THIS. WHILE I KNOW LONGER NEED THE NAVIGATION WITH MODERN PHONES, HAVING THE BLUETOOTH THROUGH THE NAV SYSTEM IS CONVENIENT, PLUS, I'VE LOST A PREMIUM OPTION THAT WAS MY REASON FOR BUYING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!

NHTSA ID

11322930

Incident

Mar 27, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

WELL MY AIR BAG SENSOR, MY PSA LIGHT AND MY TPSA LIGHT IS ON. ALL DEALING WITH FAULTY SENSORS AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND MY AIR BAG SENSOR WILL COME ON ONCE IN AWHILE, SAYING IT'S OFF. AND FROM THE ACURA TL COMMUNITY 2003 TO 2006 HAVE HORRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. EVERYBODY I KNOW AND TALK TO THAT HAVE A TL THAT FALLS INTO THOSE YEARS, HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS EITHER REBUILT OR REPLACED. AND NOBODY EVER TALKS ABOUT IT. I WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE OF THE WORST TRANSMISSIONS OTHER THAN THE HONDA ODDESSY BUT HONDA HAS A RECALL ON THERE TRANSMISSIONS. SO HOPEFULLY ONE DAY ACURA CAN DO THE SAME.

NHTSA ID

11311223

Incident

Sep 14, 2018

Mileage

167,000 mi

ACURA WILL NOT HELP ME WITH DASHBOARD. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $3000 FOR A NEW DASH. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE , ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT BY ME AND ONE OTHER OWNER! CRACKING ALL OVER DASH IS GOIN TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO HURT SOMEONE IF DEPLOYED! NO DASH CRACKS ALL OVER THATS KEPT INSIDE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERY ACURA TL 04-08 MODEL! REPETITIVELY ! THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY COASTAL AREA OR SALT OR SAND OR HEAT AT ALL! IV OWNED MANY CARS HIGHER IN MILLAGE THAT WERE KEPT OUTSIDE ONLY AND NEVER HAD CRACKING DASH PROBLEM! IV SEEN OLDER CARS THAT WERE EXTREMELY OLD IN AGE AND KEPT IN HEAT THAT HAD MINOR CRACKS BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY ON NEWER VEHICLES KEPT NO WHERE BUT INSIDE THE WHOLE TIME SINCE CAR CAME OFF PRODUCTION LINE! ACURA ACKNOWLDGED THE PROBLEM BUT NO HELP WAS OFFERED THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AROUND #3000 TO HAVE A NEW DASH INSTALLED. THIS IS CLEARLY POORLY MADE MATERIAL BY ACURA PROBABLY FAKE CARBON FIBER OR CHEAP PLASTIC. BUT THEY ADVERTISE THEIR VEHICLES AS "WORLD CLASS, LUXURY, ETC THEIR ADS GO ON AND ON ABOUT QUALITY!" NO OTHER VEHICLE IN THIS CLASS HAS THIS PROBLEM AND ONLY THIS GENERATION TL MADE BY ACURA 04-08! PLEASE MAKE THEM DO SOMETHING AND BE RESPONSIBLE AND FAIR! THIS IS NOT FROM SUN OR HEAT! THEY BASICALLY LIE TO SELL VEHICLES! THIS IS CALLED SAMINGOR CONING. TEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE INSTEAD OF JUST ALLOWED TO TELL CUSTOMERS PAY US $3000.00 AND THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT! SEE THIS LINK ! - HTTPS://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/3G-TL-PROBLEMS-FIXES-114/MY-CRACKED-DASHBOARD-ORDEAL-730775/ [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ID

11306422

Incident

Jan 8, 2008

Mileage

77,000 mi