The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lost automotive power and shifted into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and drove as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message “System too Lean” was displayed on the instrument panel associated with Bank 1 and Bank 2. While starting the vehicle and while the vehicle idling, the RPM was raised above 1,000 RPM, and the message "Idle Position Needs to be Relearned " was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated properly. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle pedal position sensor had an incorrect voltage. The contact was unsure of the repairs performed and the DTC were cleared. After the codes were cleared, the failures continued intermittently. The contact became aware of TSBs that permitted a repair under warranty to clear the system; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The worst 2008 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.
- Airbags34
- Steering26
- Body20
- Electrical15
- Engine15
- Acceleration9
- Transmission8
- Suspension7
- Brakes6
- Seats6
- Visibility4
- Driver assistance3
- Seat belts3
- Wheels3
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Tires2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Acura TL
Recalls 2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
- Risk
- If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V222000 · 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Acura TL 33
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Service News
- ServiceNews Article
- This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint
- Dealer message
- 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...
2008 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 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 26-27 | 20-21 |
What 2008 Acura TL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at lower speeds or while making a left or right turn, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. It was unknown whether the vehicle was previously diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the power steering fluid reservoir needed to be refilled more often than expected, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the Vehicle Safety Assist (VSA) system failed and the VSA Modulator Control illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure of the VSA system had caused the locking mechanisms and seat belts to fail to operate as needed. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 12V222000 (Steering) and 08V091000 (Steering); and linked the failure to the recalls. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.
My car caught on fire from under the hood. Me and my son was sitting in the car and it just caught on fire. I was scared and didn't know how it happen. I drove an hour and thiry plus minutes to my destination and when I got there. I parked my car and sat in it while I waited for the phone repair show to open up.
My car has a recall on the high pressure power steering line because it prematurely fails and douses the catalytic converter in power steering fluid. The problem is the low pressure hose going back is just as susceptible if not more but no recall? I was told at the dealership it would cost 3,489 dollars to fix a fire hazard they knew [XXX] existed. The car is a safety hazard and I pray everyday the car doesnt catch fire because of the dealers greediness. I looked up estimates for other customers of acura and the repair should come out to 1200 not 3489.00. These are bad practices that quite frankly put myself and others on the road at risk. The Acura dealer is located at 505 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing battery drainage failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after sitting for long periods without being driven. The contact stated that the battery was replaced six times however, the failure recurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that after his wife had dropped him off at work, she was driving at an undisclosed speed when the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights was illuminated. The contact then stated that his wife had parked the vehicle in the garage when she heard an exploding sound where the vehicle was parked. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife noticed that the vehicle was inflamed. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police nor fire report was filed. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that upon research, he noticed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was previously included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering) However, the recall had been completed and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 176,930
While driving car, speed decelerated despite pressing on gas/accelerator pedal. Total ability to control speed on high way ended, as car crawled to a speed of under 5mph, nearly resulting in being hit by vehicles behind me. Immediately called independent mechanic who advised me to cut off ignition and restart the car. Highly dangerous to even attempt on a highway during rush hour traffic, nearly resulting in a multiple car crash. Reproduced several times until mechanic was able to diagnose and correct an issue unknown to me. There was no warning light indicator at all, no messages on car navigation/information panel.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was a whining sound coming from the steering column while making right or left turns. Upon inspection, it was discovered that power steering fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump had failed. The contact indicated that the power steering pump had been replaced on multiple occasions due to a faulty power steering hose. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 199,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the passenger's side dashboard was cracked near the passenger's side air bag housing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.
Compare the 2008 Acura TL
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Questions about the 2008 Acura TL
Is the 2008 Acura TL reliable?
Owners have filed 124 complaints about the 2008 Acura TL, close to a typical TL model year.
What is the 2008 Acura TL year score?
The 2008 Acura TL scores 75 out of 100 (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 2008 Acura TL?
Airbags, with 34 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is steering (26).
How many recalls does the 2008 Acura TL have?
2 recalls, covering steering.
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 2008 Acura TL get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Acura TL range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.
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