Fuse box Power steering hose
The worst 2005 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.
- Body156
- Airbags144
- Transmission36
- Electrical28
- Steering25
- Tires20
- Engine12
- Suspension11
- Brakes9
- Acceleration8
- Fuel system7
- Lights5
- Visibility5
- Wheels5
- Driver assistance4
- Seat belts4
- Locks2
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Acura TL
Airbag light 45Loss of power 9Check engine light 7Transmission failure 7Battery drain 6Headlights 6Stalling 6Ball joint 5
Recalls 5
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
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 07V097000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 05V132000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2005 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 2005 Acura TL 71
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...
- Dealer message - ahm is investigating client complaint of handsfreelink not working or battery being too...
- Ahm is investigating customer complaint of the handsfreelink not working or the battery being too low to...
- Engineering request for investigation of the handsfreelink (HFL) not working or the battery being too low...
- Dealer message - request for parts to investigatethe handsfreelink (HFL) not working or the battery being...
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Symptom
2005 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 | 21 |
What 2005 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle has been gradually leaking power steering fluid over time. I have been monitoring the fluid level and have noticed a recurring burning smell while operating the vehicle. At times, I have also observed what appears to be a very faint, clear or nearly transparent smoke or vapor that is only visible when light reflects off of it. I am uncertain whether this is smoke or vapor. The steering has not become difficult or hard to turn at this time. I am concerned that power steering fluid may be leaking onto or near a hot engine or exhaust component, causing the burning smell and possible smoke or vapor and creating a potential fire or safety hazard. The exact source and cause of the leak are currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request.
The contact owned a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver's side air bag might have deployed without impact, hit the contact's face, reducing the roadway visibility and causing the vehicle to crash into the rear-end of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag exploded and propelled fragments, causing the driver to experience difficulty breathing. The contact was assisted out of the vehicle because the front driver's side door was damaged and could only be opened from the outside. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was significantly damaged and pushed back, and the driver's side of the vehicle was pushed back. The contact was transported to the hospital, where he was informed that he had sustained a concussion and a laceration on the left side of the head. The contact sustained bruises on the sternum, the spectrum, and the muscles, and the contact sustained whiplash and an airbag burn on the hand. The contact also sustained soft tissue damage on the right calf and throughout the body. The other driver did not sustain injuries and was able to drive away from the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried to engage back into Drive with no success. In the middle of oncoming & ongoing HWY traffic, I turned the car off, back on & the car acted as if it was in limp mode. The VSA light & Triangle appeared. I had to pay get a towing service to get me & my car. It never had any transmission issues before & all of a sudden it did all of the above, erratic shifting, flare up shifts, won't move. It was then put on a diagnostic scanner which showed a code for Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid but was cleared & didn't reappear. After the car has been sitting for a while (days) you can crank it, put it into drive & it is hesitant to go & will drive ONLY for a few minutes. After the transmission heats up, it stops pulling. I have read numerous complaints, safety concerns, bulletins, etc. I am devastated & lost on what's going on with the car & what can be done. I purchased my '05 TL in 2022 & haven't been able to drive it but for one & a half years. I've put so much money into the repairs & maintenance. I replaced the rear & front motor mounts, transmission speed sensor, transmission position sensor, etc. I am now disabled & don't have the means to put into it anymore. I pray there's an investigation behind these Drive train safety concerns!
My wife, [XXX] , purchased a 2005 Acura TL on [XXX]. The car was not inspected, it had a hole in the oil tank, was leaking battery acid, had broken control arms, wore out rotors, wore out brake pads, bald tires, Vehicle Stability Control disabled, no AC, cracked dashboard where the passenger air bag is located, and the alignment was so bad that the car would try to pull very hard off of the road. Toxic hot fumes entered the cockpit during my wife's drive home from the car dealership. The fumes made her feel sick and gave her a horrible headache because of the leaking battery acid and perhaps the hole in the oil tank. It's a health and safety issue that needs to be taken seriously. The used car dealership (Premium Auto Outlet Inc.) is selling vehicles to customers and are not providing them with the title. My wife paid in full, yet she had to fight to receive the title. The employees scream at there customers, including my wife and also tell them to leave the property when asking for the title and when confronted about vehicle mechanical issues. The female employee even screamed over the phone at our mechanic (Delran Auto Repair) who tried to tell the employee that the car was not is sellable condition due to the safety and mechanical problems. Please review the Google reviews and Facebook reviews for more horrible customer experiences when it comes vehicles being sold in horribly unsafe mechanical condition, withholding titles, unlawfully repossessing, screaming at customers and ignoring customer complaints. The best resolution for my wife and I would be for the dealership to pay for all of the repair bills that accrued (roughly $4K) due to the car being sold in unsafe condition and most importantly the prevention of any health and safety issues due to the selling of unsafe mechanically condition vehicles to future customers. Please investigate this issue for the health and safety of people. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
See attached document for complaint.
The driver and passenger side mirror lenses will click randomly while driving on the interstate going at a relatively good speed. When these click and move, it causes a distraction and I can no longer see what’s coming next to me. I have to turn the mirror lenses back to their original position in order to view my blind spot.
Ball joint purchased from Napa Auto Parts #260-1791was defective. Nut supplied with ball joint was too small. This caused the ball joint to separate from the steering knuckle. After driving a very short distance the front end of the car collapsed, causing the front axle to break. The car fell on the front fender damaging it. This is the same problem reported in 2011. [XXX] This is a serious safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags light flashing on and off almost every day we are driving the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that she had parked her vehicle and went inside a store as her children waited inside the vehicle. Her son then texted her from inside the vehicle that the alarm had gone off. Soon after the alarm went off, her daughter noticed that both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle. Her children exited the vehicle as the front end of the vehicle caught fire. Pedestrians called for the authorities and both the police and fire departments arrived at the scene. The fire was extinguished and an incident report was filed. No injuries were reported; another vehicle was damaged as a result of the fire. The vehicle had yet to be towed or removed from the scene of the incident. Prior to the failure, the contact had noticed that while driving at highway speeds, heat would emit from vents despite the A/C being turned off. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V091000(Steering). The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,300.
Compare the 2005 Acura TL
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Questions about the 2005 Acura TL
Is the 2005 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 388 complaints about the 2005 Acura TL, 3.0 times a typical TL model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 Acura TL year score?
The 2005 Acura TL scores 33 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 2005 Acura TL?
Body and structure, with 156 complaints, typically around 94,900 miles. Next is airbags (144).
How many recalls does the 2005 Acura TL have?
5 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 2005 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Acura TL range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.
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