RoadVitals

2009 Acura TL

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
42
Latest Aug 4, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jun 27, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Acura TL, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 89 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1938.8%
  • Body & structure612.2%
  • Visibility612.2%
  • Powertrain (other)510.2%
  • Electrical36.1%
  • Steering24.1%
  • Brakes24.1%
  • Engine24.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
1,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number S5B, W59View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2019
1,101,534 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
The risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number U40,M45,O41,G44View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 3, 2016
2,232,187 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number JY0, JY1, JY2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2025

The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off without warning due to the key hinge lock failure on the highway ant speed and well as on bumpy roads and at stoplights.

NHTSA ID
11678215
Incident
Jun 13, 2025
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2023

Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I have no brakes. The spongy brakes cause a lag in stopping and if for some reason I have to suddenly stop I would be unable to...this symptom last sometimes minutes, hours, and days with no reason and then brakes return to normal. Im afraid to drive my vehicle as this is dangerius and a safety issue. Acura should issue a recall as this is putting lives in danger.

NHTSA ID
11504865
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2019

I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DUE TO A MECHANICAL RECALL THAT WENT UNDIAGNOSED.( OVER OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL, IN WHICH I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING THE LETTER PRODIVIDED) I WAS DRIVING OFF OF PLEASANT STREET IN HANSON MA, CROSSING ONTO THE MAIN ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND FROZE THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO A POLICE OFFICER WAS ON THE SCENE TO HELP ME SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN CALLING ACURA OF HONDA AND THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING ME IN CIRCLES WITH NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND DENIED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO COVER THIS PROBLEM, AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WHICH THE CLAIM SAFETY IS FIRST AND FOR THE CLIENT, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO DELIVER ON THEIR OWN WORDS IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY DOWN IN HOPES THAT THEY SUPPLY A REPAIR SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN MUCH AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11251847
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
186,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2019

RADUAL ACCELERATION ELICITS THE SYMPTOMS OF SHUDDER AND TACH HUNTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. DRIVING TO WORK 128 MASS HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID
11203161
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
831,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2019
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11196963
Incident
Apr 12, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 19, 2018

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES, VERY HEAVILY, WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, LIKE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ABRUPTLY, OR FROM FIRST OF SECOND GEAR, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS OR WHEN USING A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11112288
Incident
Jul 11, 2018
Mileage
149,223 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 15, 2017

MY 2009 ACURA TL STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CAN BE PULLING OUT FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, PULLING OFF AFTER PAUSING AT A STOP SIGN, CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, OR JUST SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR A CITY STREET. MY CAR CAN HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS OR LESS THAN HALF OF A TANK OF GAS, IT CAN BE COLD OR HOT OUTSIDE, IT CAN BE THE FIRST TIME I MOVE MY CAR FOR THE DAY OR THE TENTH TIME, ETC. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE EXACT ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM GROWING MORE AND MORE CONCERNED THAT THIS STALLING COULD PLACE ME IN IMMINENT DANGER BUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED. PRAYERFULLY, THIS DOESN'T OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY (IN WHICH I DRIVE TO WORK DAILY!) IN WHICH SPEEDS COULD EXCEED 80-MPH. I INITIALLY NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN LATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY. I JUST ASSUMED THAT IT WAS IN RELATION TO THE COLD WEATHER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ACURA AT OXMOOR TWICE IN RELATION TO THIS PROBLEM - RESULTING IN ALMOST $700 WORTH OF EXPENSES. THEY COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTICS AND ENDED UP 1. REPLACING THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR; 2. PERFORMING TRANSMISSION SERVICE; AND PERFORMING FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I AM NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED. BASED ON MY REVIEW OF ACURA BLOGS ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY PREVALENT AMONGST OTHER ACURA TL OWNERS AND MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO ACURA TSB #B16033. MY CAR HAS MORE THAN 120K MILES ON IT. BUT CONSIDERING THE MANUFACTURER, COST, AND CONTINUED PROPER MAINTENANCE (WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN PERFORMED AT ACURA OF OXMOOR), I WOULD EXPECT MY CAR TO LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS WITHOUT MAJOR TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10978653
Incident
Jan 23, 2017
Electrical
Filed Mar 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBY AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10957814
Incident
Feb 1, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B18-020

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2013-14 ILX Hybrid and Other Listed Years and Models.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

BPaS02262021905

SERVICE BRAKES

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BPaS02102021903

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

B15090E

WHEELS

ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage or anything stuck in the tread? While you're checking for leaks, check the valve stem; it could have oxidation buildup from road salt. This buildup can cause a poor seal, resulting in a slow leak.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura TL by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014173151.1
2013623150.7
20121303150.4
2011203052.9
2010643048.8
2009Viewing423052.1
20081244051.7
20071244049.5
20062476049.7
20053877153.9
20045516152.7
20033915459.7
20023327563.3
20011493156.1
20002496259.7
19991574158.6
1998202051.0
1997232056.0
1996262048.4
1995100

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.