My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.
The worst 1999 Acura TL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical58
- Transmission37
- Engine17
- Airbags13
- Acceleration10
- Steering8
- Visibility7
- Body6
- Brakes6
- Lights5
- Tires4
- Seat belts3
- Fuel system2
- Suspension2
- Driver assistance1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Acura TL
Stalling 32Slipping 8Jerking 7Fire or smoke 5Power steering loss 5Sudden acceleration 5Transmission failure 5
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1‑888‑234‑2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1‑800‑255‑6727.
Recall number 20V026000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
- Risk
- If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 05V025000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
- Risk
- If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 03V423000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1999 Acura TL
Defect investigations
Ignition-park interlock
The above failure report counts are for model year (my) 1999 - 2001 honda accord models that were not within the scope of a related honda recall action (the federal safety agency 03v423); these vehicles were investigated by odi under defect petition (dp) 04-006.complaint information for other models and model years was not obtained by odi.the noted population indicates the number of vehicles (including the my 2002 accord plus the prelude and tl models) that are within the scope of honda?s new recall (the federal safety agency 05v‑025, honda p68, p69); 402,525 of these were investigated in dp04-006.seepart 573 documents related to 05v‑025 for further detail on other models and mys.odi notes that, according to honda?s analysis, interlock system warranty rates for the tl and prelude models involved in 05v‑025 are similar to those of the accord models.information provided by honda during dp04-006 indicates that certain vehicles containing interlock systems made by its japanese lock manufacturing facility may contain defective internal components.in combination with certain wear and usage factors, this may lead to a condition that prevents the system from blocking removal of the ignition key when the vehicle is not in park.if the driver leaves the transmission in a non-park position and fails to set the hand brake when parking, the vehicle may roll away and crash.interlock systems manufactured by honda?s u.s. Lock manufacturer do not appear to contain this defect and are therefore not included in the recall action. In a letter dated january 27, 2005, honda advised that it will conduct a safety recall to either upgrade (for operative systems) or repair (for inoperative systems) subject interlock systems with new design level components that do not contain the defect.
PE05002
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Acura TL 144
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with...
- Dealer message
- You are required to install a remanufactured A/T (automatic transmission) and torque converter on any...
- Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- This bulletin updates the troubleshooting procedures for DTC P1456 (evap control system leakage [fuel tank...
- Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem...
- 3.2 tl and 3.2 cl automatic transmission
- Rough idle, stalls at stops, and dtc's P0172 or P0175 appear when inspected
- Remote audio controls do not work properly
1999 Acura TL fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
What 1999 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive
At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recently found that there was as noted above. Can you contact the Dealer on my behalf as I am under the impression that the dealer is suppose to replace the defective part at no cost as it does cause an unsafe condition when it occurs. Engine just dies without warning. There has not been an independent assessment of the condition as it occurs on a random basis and of course, never occurs when you want it to.
Tl* takata recall. The contact's father owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags). The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called acura of concord (1340 concord ave, concord, ca 94520 (925) 674-1900) and was informed that the parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided, VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact contacted hiley acura (3125 ne loop 820, fort worth, tx 76137; (817) 232-2872) where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags). The contact called proctor acura dealer located at 3523 w. Tennessee st, tallahassee, fl 32304, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.*dt
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to bergstrom used car super center of appleton (2925 n victory ln #101, appleton, wi 54913, (800) 398-6846) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available
Acura of concord ca #251621 informed in a telephone call that they do not intend to repair the driver frontal airbag module within 60 days of my april 10 2020 request for a service appointment. The safety of the driver is in jeaporday
My car needs the federal safety agency recall 20v‑026, drivers airbag inflator replacement. As of today, march 23, 2020, parts are not available to correct this safety defect. The recall notice from acura states "the airbag inflator could also rupture during deployment, with metal fragments possibly striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of serious injury or death." I am afraid to drive this vehicle based on this possibility. I contacted american honda consumer affairs (case # 10324034) and requested alternate transportation to be provided at acura's expense until the parts are available. My request was refused. I am asking the federal safety agency to intervene and escalate my request for alternate transportation.
Compare the 1999 Acura TL
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Questions about the 1999 Acura TL
Is the 1999 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 157 complaints about the 1999 Acura TL, 1.2 times a typical TL model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Acura TL?
Electrical system, with 58 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles. Next is transmission (37).
How many recalls does the 1999 Acura TL have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Acura TL electrical?
Yes, 3 recalls: 05V025000, 03V423000, 02V120000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura TL have the most electrical problems?
The Acura TL model years with the most electrical complaints are 1999 (58 complaints), 2006 (31 complaints) and 2005 (28 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 1999 Acura TL range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.
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