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.
Acura TL fire or smoke problems
42 of the 3,117 owner complaints about the Acura TL describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 42
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 103,000
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 4Stalling 3Sudden acceleration 2Slipping 2Jerking 2Check engine light 2Tire blowout 1Won't shift 1
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 acura tl. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he detected a fuel and oil odor. The contact then saw smoke and flames coming from under the hood near the front driver's side windshield. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's friend's residence. The dealer lyle pearson acura (7675 w gratz dr, boise, id 83709) and manufacturer were made aware of the failure and opened a case, however no further assistance had been provided. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v222000 (steering). The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 acura tl. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called out and dispersed the smoke. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer bradshaw acura (2450 laurens rd, greenville, sc 29607, (864) 297-4529) where it was diagnosed with needing an unknown box assembly, eps, aps unit, and sub-harness to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
I was sitting at a red light, and when the light turned green and I accelerated, the car would not move with moderate throttle. I had to floor the throttle to move, and the engine RPM jumped to about 6000. The car would not shift, either automatically or through the "manual" function on the gear selector. Over the next 1.5 miles, I noticed smoke in the rear view mirror and a burning smell. I pulled the car over and noticed smoke from the hood and a trail of automatic transmission fluid from the car. Car was towed to a transmission shop and I was told that the transmission cooler line running to the radiator had ruptured due to corrosion. Transmission cooler lines and radiator had to be replaced.
9/30/2017 acura tl 2008, 4door sedan, burst into flames inside garage, just minutes wtihin parking the car from driving. Burnt car completely causing house fire.
My wife was driving,I was in the front passenger seat and we smelled rubber burning next we noticed smoke from the hood area. We pulled over turned on the flashers and opened the hood and smoke came out heavy and I saw a fire at the bottom of engine area.we called 911 and a fire truck put out the flames. The engine was destroyed. They towed it to a auto shop and we are waiting for an insurance agent to contact us. Fyi we were driving on a three lane street called portola drive in san francisco ca.
Related recalls
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
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- 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: switch
- 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: switch
- 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 fire or smoke
Which Acura TL years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2006 (6 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).
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