I was driving and all of a sudden I hit a pot hole and then when I went to take a turn my car ended up making a shaking rattling sound when I pulled to to side to check it the ball joint was half way out of the control arm
The worst 2004 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.
- Body232
- Airbags199
- Transmission56
- Tires51
- Steering34
- Suspension30
- Visibility20
- Brakes16
- Electrical11
- Engine11
- Driver assistance10
- Lights10
- Seats9
- Acceleration5
- Fuel system5
- Wheels4
- Seat belts3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Acura TL
Airbag light 49Ball joint 14Wipers 12Headlights 9Tire blowout 8Slipping 7Transmission failure 7ABS 6No deployment 6Check engine light 6
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
- 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).
Recall number 08V091000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling 129,600 my 2004-2005 acura tl vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This could cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor housing.
- Risk
- If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a snorkel tube will be added to the wiper motor breather port to prevent water from entering the wiper motor housing and foam tape will be installed on the cowl above the wiper motor to direct water away from the wiper motor. If signs of corrosion damage are observed on the wiper motor, the motor will be replaced, and the breather tube and foam tape will also be installed to prevent water intrusion on the new wiper motor. The recall began on april 28, 2008. Owners may contact acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 08V092000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2004 Acura TL
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper motor failure
The manufacturer notified the federal safety agency by letter dated february 26, 2008, that a safety related recall has been initiated to correct this problem on certain model year 2004 and 2005 acura tl vehicles.the recall affects approximately 129,600 subject vehicles manufactured between march 2003 and may 2005.the defect involves water intrusion into the wiper motor housing that may result in corrosion and failure of a circuit breaker that will disable the wiper motor.corrective action consists of installing a new wiper motor where corrosion is found as well as a breather tube on both new and existing wiper motors to prevent water intrusion into the housing.the federal safety agency has assigned number 08v‑092 to this recall action.
PE07060
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Acura TL 123
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint
- Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- Navigation system information.
- Letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida...
- Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- Dealer message
- Dealer message
- Acura: the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is on, with DTC P2138 (accelerator pedal position sensor a/b...
- Dealer message
- Some symptoms related to the HandsFreeLink (HFL) system can be difficult to diagnose
2004 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 | 18 | 26-28 | 21 |
What 2004 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car stopped working three days after I purchased it.
I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events of an accident
In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to this happening. Upon my research, I noticed that there is a standing recall for the 2004 Acura TL, but not for my specific VIN. I believe that my issue may be related to this recall (08V‑091) and believe this recall should be added to my vehicle.
The red air bag light on the dashboard has been on for many months. It will occasionally turn off, but usually it is on. Is there a recall for my 2004 Acura TL air bags? Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH with her mother in the front passenger’s side seat, her mother informed her that the vehicle was bouncing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front lower control arms, shocks, and bushings were replaced; however, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side of the vehicle dropped significantly and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11E022000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
16 y/o driving and stopped at a traffic light. He attempted to go when the light turned green, heard a pop, engine was revving but the car was not moving. It was acting as if it was in neutral. Luckily a police car was right there and they helped him push it to a parking lot. This car has 99K miles on it. He almost got hammered by the car behind him. This is a transmission issue and we had absolutely no warning and has been driving and servicing this car with no issues. There are a lot of info online with transmission issues in these year/model cars. This put my son in extreme danger.
I have a defective dashboard in my Acura TL. The dashboard is cracking. One of the crack pieces popped out and flew into my eye while driving. I almost rear-ended someone. I would hate for this to happen to anyone else. There needs to be a recall on all dashboards. 2. I can not see through my review mirror. The top half is light grey and the lower half is blacked out/tinted. A rearview mirror is needed to drive safely and I can not see out of mine. It is very difficult to use. I am unsafe trying to use it. 3. Cracked seats. The cracked seats are cutting my legs and my passenger's legs. With the way the world is today, we can not drive around in cars with cracked seats. This is hazardous to our health. There heighten the chances of spreading diseases by exchanging blood and body fluids through the cuts. The cracking of the seats is not safe.
I purchased this used car and while driving the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assis) light comes on with the accompanying trianlge with exclamation point. When the light comes on while driving the car will tug you to the right. Once you stop the vehicle and turn off and re-start the light will turn off. As you drive again, the light comes on and tugs the vehicle to the right. When we purchased the vehicle I drove it home with my 16 year old (it is planned to be his first car) and I was on the highway going 60 and the VSA light came on and tugged the vehicle to the right. I did not lose control but it can definitely catch someone off guard and cause them to over correct. I took the car in to a local auto shop and they said there was a fault on the VSA module and a couple of other issues. I spent $1,300 to replace both front bearings, hubs, 1 speed control sensor because they recommended that be done before looking to replace the VSA modulating assembly ($1,800 + install). I checked the Acura site and but there is nothing there about a recall for the VSA module. I have seen other posts online of people saying that the car pulls to the right when the VSA light comes on so I seems to be an issue. In winter conditions having an issue like this could cause an over correction and/or loss of control which could cause an accident.
04 acura tl my transmission wen applying the brakes feel like a big part of tranny broke u feel it move like it grinding about to brake it can cause a big accident or death .if wen fully apply brakes complete stop .it will b bad it say a recall yrs ago 4 this same thing I'm telling u now about trannie i got kids I take n car seat belt lock don't work n back lights keep flashing n back at nite out of no were is there something n my car my gmail is [XXX]. 04 Acura tl had only 2mounths paid 3000 n Montclair now it sits not going to chance it driving no safe at all please help me INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Compare the 2004 Acura TL
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Questions about the 2004 Acura TL
Is the 2004 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 551 complaints about the 2004 Acura TL, 4.2 times a typical TL model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2004 Acura TL year score?
The 2004 Acura TL scores 21 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura TL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Acura TL?
Body and structure, with 232 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is airbags (199).
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TL have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, steering and visibility.
What year does the Acura TL have the most body problems?
The Acura TL model years with the most body complaints are 2004 (232 complaints), 2005 (156 complaints) and 2006 (64 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Acura TL range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26-28 highway.
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