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Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 551 owner complaints for the 2004 Acura TL. Most complaints involve structure (232) and air bags (199). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
551
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE.

SuspensionReported Jun 22, 2011NHTSA 11E022000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

551 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2004 – Jul 2024
  1. Structure232
  2. Air bags199
  3. Power train56
  4. Tires51
  5. Steering34
  6. Suspension30
  7. Visibility14
  8. Electrical system11
  9. Exterior lighting10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each TL model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

232 reports1 crash
“DASHBOARD HAS CRACK FROM PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE ALL THE WAY TOWARD DRIVER SIDE. STARTED ABOUT YEAR 10 AND GOT WORSE OVER THE YEARS. AFTER READING SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE I AM ALSO WORRIED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD EITHER NOT TRIGGER OR TRIGGER ACCIDENTALLY HURTING A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. I ALSO TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS INSTRUCTED AS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH SEEMS TO BE MANUFACTURE DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2020Air bags, Unknown or other, StructureODI 11339904

Air bags

199 reports6 crashes
“I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events of an accident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2023Steering, Air bagsODI 11519609

Power train

56 reports1 crash2 fires
“My "D" indicator light is blinking no matter changing the transmission fluid, cleaning the solenoids, etc. the car is not overheating, there are no apparent electrical problems and I do not even have any check engine lights or other codes. The light comes on blinking when I drive for a little while then goes off when I turn the car off and is fine. Then when I start it up it doesn't blink anymore. But then when I drive again for a while it blinks again. I've had transmission shuddering, jerky shifting, delayed shifting, etc.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2021Power trainODI 11434155
All 2004 TL problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TL
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
TL
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$3,800423
  • TL
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • TL
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Acura TL as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1012
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TL have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 551 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (232), air bags (199), power train (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Acura TL at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026