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Acura TL battery drain problems

28 of the 3,117 owner complaints about the Acura TL describe battery drain or dead battery, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
28
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
80,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 7, 2024 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2023 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the battery power was drained after driving the vehicle for less than 48-hours. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the Bluetooth in the vehicle was draining the battery. Bluetooth was disabled, but the failure recurred. The contact had since replaced the battery twice within two months, each time with the same brand of battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2022 · Electrical · NV · fire

While highyway driving for 6 hours the “Check system charging” light came on for a few minutes, then went off for 10 or so minutes, then came back on. I was 10 miles from exit. I exited and left the car running while I checked in to motel. Drove to a parking place, turned off car engine, took a bag to room. When I came back out, flames were flaring from under the hood from battery area near fight front. The car had about 33,500 miles on it. A few weeks before, a “check battery” light had come on briefly. I took the car to dealership and told them about the battery light. I was going on a long trip so I told them to check everything. They replaced the battery and claimed to have checked the alternator, which they said was good. Even though the car only had less than 33,000 miles at that point, this was the fourth battery the car had had put in. 1) the original, 2) second put in by the same dealer, 3) a third when my battery went dead at a casino le one night. The valet charged it and I drove to an all night Autoxone where I bought a new batttery, and 4) the last one a few weeks ago. The Acura had a hard cardboard engine cover that you have to unscrew and remove to access the battery or the rest of the engine. This cover was completely burned up. The car was totaled. I believe the cardboard engine cover played a big part of the fire. Note: the fire occurred at Prescott, Arkansas. I had driven about 7 hours from Austin, Texas that day. The car was serviced in Las Vegas. I have pictures in my phone of the burned out car which I can send to you.

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · MI

In both 2012 and 2014 I complained to Acura CS and was told that they wouldnt do anything for me when their hands free unit refered to in TSB 08-057 This was causing a parasitic power leak draining the battery overnight. After researching the cause online and the solution which was to remove the defective HFL unit which was done. Yesterday I came across that TSB and contacted Acura with my correspondence from 2012, 2014 and the TSB. So far I'm getting the run around. I just want a replacement module for the one that I have kept as a reminder of how I was screwed by Acura. The TSB states all 2005 TL's are affected yet today they had the gaul to say it was no longer in warranty. This is a critical safety item in that it provides hands free utilization of the cellular phone. This came defective from the factory in that I was never able to either connect to the garage door opener or to the phone and was extremely angered by the dealer insisting that I just didnt know what I was doing. I perform surgery in peoples mouths for a living and build and program computers and networks on the side. I know that this module with part number 1135133c1m3m04 or 3qc32dc2 on 2 stickers on back of the circuit board are defective. The TSB only lists what is on the plastic cover to the module and not the module itself. Please verify that these modules are in fact garbage.

Filed Jul 21, 2020 · Electrical · GA

The battery drains after the car sits in one spot for more than two days. Had to buy a new battery. It did it again. The alternator is good. But the battery keeps draining. Can't afford to miss work or taking time to go get the battery recharged every week. This has been going on for a couple of months now.

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Airbags, Body · GA

My battery would be dead if I didn't drive my car every day. Then I found out there is a parasitic drain on the battery from a faulty hands-free bluetooth module. I watched a video then disconnected mine myself, problem solved. I've used a headlight restoration kit because the lights are yellow and they have spider-cracks all in them, it really affects the brightness of the light itself. The dashboard is cracked beyond repair and I'm terrified of getting into a wreck in my car, the dash would become shrapnel!

Filed Feb 10, 2019 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · MO

Owned this car since new 12 years ago. Battery always drains if not driven in 7 days or so. Constant problem through 4 batteries. Just got a new battery and alternator. Car is garaged. Didn't drive it for 10 days. Dead battery again. Blogs tell me this is extremely common with 2004-2008 acura tl sedan 6-cyl. Blogs say it is the hands free link of bluetooth that is a chronic drain whether or not the car is running. So I park it in airport parking, take a trip, come back at midnight, a woman in long-term airport parking, totally unsafe for me, waiting for help to jump the car. Totally unacceptable. Not safe. You need to do something! Next block says "when did this happen" and asks for a specific date. I will use today' s date, but it happens anytime I don't drive it for 7 days or so. The bloggers all have the same identical same problem. This is chronic.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Car battery drains itself too quick. Car electrical system draws current too much. After 3-4 days park without driving battery dead. It won't start. Battery is very good condition.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · CA

I purchased this vehicle from the oringinal owner 11-17. He didnt inform me of any problems with the vehicle. Three days after purchase I had a dead battery. Then I noticed the speedometer and tach would stop working when I was driving, also the vsa warning light would come on when I was driving. I searched on line and found that there was many complaints about my same problems, and that the dealer was no help at all. I tried disconnecting the hands free link, but I still had a dead battery the next day. The only solution I have found is to disconnect my battery every day when I come home. I replaced the battery in jan. 2018. There are also receipts in the vehicle from the origanal owner for the same problems.

Filed Mar 11, 2018 · Electrical · 107,745 miles · MN

My 2007 accura tl has a battery drain problem. I have a new interstate battery in it. I park it on our driveway and after 3-5 days of it being parked, not driven, the new battery is drained of power and will not start the vehicle. I have to charge the battery. It starts and will continue to start as long as I drive it to re-charge the battery. This occurs very consistently and has for the past year, on and off.

Related recalls

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported April 5, 2005 · 1,923 vehicles affected
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

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported January 28, 2005 · 486,659 vehicles affected
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: switchReported October 27, 2003 · 563,861 vehicles affected
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: switchReported May 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the Acura TL battery drain

Which Acura TL years have battery drain or dead battery problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (9 complaints), 2007 (8 complaints) and 2005 (6 complaints).

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