As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.
The worst 2006 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.
- Airbags85
- Body64
- Electrical31
- Steering28
- Transmission19
- Brakes13
- Engine10
- Acceleration9
- Suspension9
- Wheels7
- Driver assistance6
- Lights5
- Visibility5
- Tires2
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Acura TL
Won't start 13Battery drain 9Fire or smoke 6ABS 5Check engine light 5Slipping 5Transmission failure 5
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
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the federal safety agency's (the federal safety agency) vehicle safety hotline.
- Risk
- The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
- Remedy
- Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct the federal safety agency vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009, acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238 or honda motorcycles at 1‑866‑784‑1870.
Recall number 06V270000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, on the frontal airbag system where the two external impact sensors is mounted, near the front headlights the front impact sensor bolts were not properly torqued.
- Risk
- If the bolts loosen or fall out, the sensor may fail to properly detect a crash, possibly resulting in delayed or non-deployment of the front airbag increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and remove the bumper and retorque the loose bolts. The recall began on november 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 and acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 05V510000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Acura TL 40
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
- 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
- HandsFreeLink (HFL) Doesn?t Work, or Battery Is Too Low to Start the Engine: The HandsFreeLink (HFL)...
2006 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 2006 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My Acura (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a non-collision spontaneous deployment of the side airbag while the vehicle was completely stationary. There was no impact, no crash, and no triggering event. This is a serious safety defect that could have caused significant injury or loss of vehicle control had the car been in motion. This vehicle was previously included in the federal safety agency Recall 19V182000 involving Takata airbag inflators, but the recall repair was never completed, and the recall now shows as closed. It is unclear whether the recall was closed in error or whether the inflator or a related airbag component failed due to the unresolved safety defect. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the deployment. The airbag system gave no indication of a problem. The deployed components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. The issue has not yet been inspected by Acura because, despite opening a safety case over two weeks ago, the manufacturer has not assigned a case manager. Insurance has been notified, but no manufacturer or dealer inspection has occurred yet. Given the prior Takata recall, the incomplete repair history, and the spontaneous deployment, this failure represents a potentially ongoing safety hazard that requires immediate investigation and corrective action. I attached pictures all the way around the car so you can see where the airbags are deployed and there is no damage to the vehicle because there was no collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed. The contact replaced the sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the power steering hose was leaking. The contact was informed that the steering fluid had entered other unknown components of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was topping off the power steering fluid reservoir every third day. The contact stated that the VSA warning light and air bag light remained illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS), 19E068000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), and 08V091000 (STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
power steering leaking fluid
I am the original owner of this 2006 Acura TL. I have vertical cracks on the dashboard surrounding the passenger SRS airbag system. Aside from the bad look, is there a safety issue from either the air bag deploying prematurely and/or the air bag deploying in an unsafe manner and injuring the passenger. I have researched this issue online and there are numerous complaints about this dashboard issue and possible issues with the SRS airbag deployment.
Transmission shifts down very hard, once causing the car to lose traction and skid approximately 10 feet on the highway. The car luckily regained control and I avoided collision. I have seen many other reports of hard shifting in this car.
My transmission failed at 105,000 had to pay 4500 for a new transmission, I’m sure they have had complaints about the Acura TL through 2004-2008. I am currently on my third transmission and now the new one is hard shifting already.
Dashboard cracked. Internet search revels this is a Acura TL fleet wide issue. Cracked dashboard may rip airbag during deployment rendering it useless, impede airbag deployment, or send shards of plastic during airbag deployment.
Car has been in family and well taken care of, smell of fire along with multiple alternators and battery changes. Mechanics cannot figure out why car goes through alternator and batteries. Paid for 6 to 8 alternator and battery. Transmission is now going on car. Like I said car has been taken care of but not worth transmission job, my complaint is I see almost every person who has Acura TL all have transmission problems. I need Acura to answer for all transmission problems through the whole country and why so many alternators and batteries?
Power steering high pressure hose is leaking on the catalytic converter. Smoke billows into the cabin of the vehicle. This makes driving with window down necessary. Afraid continued leakage will start a fire in engine compartment. Obtained a new high pressure hose but afraid that the catalytic converter will do the same thing over time. Will bring the vehicle in for maintenance but could not find recall for my VIN number associated with vehicle.
Compare the 2006 Acura TL
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Questions about the 2006 Acura TL
Is the 2006 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 247 complaints about the 2006 Acura TL, 1.9 times a typical TL model year.
What is the 2006 Acura TL year score?
The 2006 Acura TL scores 50 out of 100 (below average). 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 2006 Acura TL?
Airbags, with 85 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles. Next is body (64).
How many recalls does the 2006 Acura TL have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, steering and equipment.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Acura TL airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 19V182000, 05V510000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura TL have bad airbags?
The Acura TL model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (199 complaints), 2005 (144 complaints) and 2006 (85 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 2006 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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