RoadVitals

2008 Acura TL Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
15
Latest Mar 7, 2024
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.
12%
of 124 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 electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Acura TL submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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 electrical

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

Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2024

The contact owns 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing battery drainage failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after sitting for long periods without being driven. The contact stated that the battery was replaced six times however, the failure recurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11576016
Incident
Mar 7, 2024
Mileage
20,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 17, 2022

While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearly resulting in a multiple car crash. Reproduced several times until mechanic was able to diagnose and correct an issue unknown to me. There was no warning light indicator at all, no messages on car navigation/information panel.

NHTSA ID
11484998
Incident
Sep 5, 2019
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2021

Random slipping/stalling causes not to go in gear.. torque converter could. coolant expansion tank needs replacement hoses and cap causes car not to heat up and operate at regulating temperature. Power steering pump replacement

NHTSA ID
11433039
Incident
Jul 5, 2021
Electrical
Filed Oct 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SPRINGFIELD ACURA(243 US-22, SPRINGFIELD, MO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER HAD SHORT CIRCUITED DUE TO MOISTURE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING PIPES POSITIONED ABOVE THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AND 25,000 MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOARDWALK ACURA (6806 TILTON RD, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE COMPUTER HAD SHORT CIRCUITED AGAIN DUE TO MOISTURE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING PIPES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ID
11132421
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 12, 2018

CAR BATTERY DRAINS ITSELF TOO QUICK. CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAWS CURRENT TOO MUCH. AFTER 3-4 DAYS PARK WITHOUT DRIVING BATTERY DEAD. IT WON'T START. BATTERY IS VERY GOOD CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
11110971
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2018

THE HANDSFREE LINK STOPPED WORKING IN 2016. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD IN ITSELF SINCE THAT WAS THE MAIN REASON I PURCHASED A VEHICLE WITH HFL. THE BATTERY THEN STARTED DYING WHEN I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS CAUSING FREQUENT BATTERY REPLACEMENTS. IT'S ESCALATED TO WHERE NOW WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY, IF I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD, THE CAR IS DEAD THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ID
11103800
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2018

THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR DRAINS DUE TO A FACTORY FAULTY HFL UNIT. THIS CAUSES EVEN A NEW BATTERY TO BE DRAINED AND THEN LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASION. WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS THE BATTERY. ACURA REPLACED THE BATTERY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD RATHER THAN FIXING THE REAL PROBLEM. NOW THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11103729
Incident
Jun 24, 2018
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE MANUALLY OPENED USING THE KEY FOB. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10907523
Incident
May 19, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2016

HANDSFREELINK SYSTEM LOCKED INTO "BOOTING UP" MODE. HANDS-FREE CELL USE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. AFTERWARD, BATTERY WAS DEAD NEXT TIME THE CAR WAS ATTEMPTED TO BE STARTED.

NHTSA ID
10897824
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 14, 2016

THE HANDS FREE LINK WORKS SOME OF THE TIMES I HAVE TO BUMP THE PLASTIC COVER FOR IT TO CONNECT TO MY PHONE, ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESOVOR LEAKS CONSTANTLY AND THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY THIS SHOULD BE FIXED WHEN YOU GET THE HOSES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL I THINK IT SHOULD BE AS WELL. VERY DISSATISFIED HOW ACURA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH THE HFL AND THE POWER STEERING!!!!

NHTSA ID
10874071
Incident
Jun 6, 2016
Electrical
Filed Feb 19, 2016

HANDS FREE LINK MODULE HAS FAILED. IT NOW CAUSES BATTERY DRAIN, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL AFTER 1 WEEK OF NOT DRIVING. NOW ON MY 3RD BATTERY IN TWO MONTHS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS THE ACURA MODELS WITH HANDS FREE LINK, REFERENCED IN THE ACURA FORUMS. ADDITIONALLY, NOT HAVING A HANDS FREE SYSTEM FOR CELLULAR USE POSES A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ID
10837085
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 10, 2014

BLUETOOTH MODULE FAILED AND REMAINS INOPERABLE. A LOOK ONLINE SHOWED THAT MANY OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAVE HAD BLUETOOTH FAILURES AND AT FAR HIGHER RATES THAN OTHER CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643755
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
45,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 21, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 5/13/14*CN

NHTSA ID
10573930
Incident
Mar 7, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, AND ALSO STATED THAT ADDITIONAL KEYS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO FAIL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568794
Incident
Mar 2, 2014
Mileage
67,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2014

ON OUR ACURA TL W/NAV 08, THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS. FINALLY FEED UP, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. $1000 LATER, PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE NAV SYSTEM AND BOTH MOTORS IN THE MIRRORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN AND THE MIRRORS ON BOTH SIDES WOULD FREELY CLICK AND MOVE AT WILL. I THINK AT A MINIMUM, ACURA SHOULD RECALL THEIR VEHICLES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE REFUNDS TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562991
Incident
Feb 4, 2014
Mileage
71,000 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 .