Research · Midsize Cars

2006 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 247 owner complaints for the 2006 Acura TL. Most complaints involve air bags (85) and structure (64). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
247
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

247 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2006 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags85
  2. Structure64
  3. Electrical system31
  4. Steering28
  5. Power train19
  6. Engine10
  7. Vehicle speed control9
  8. Suspension9
  9. Service brakes9

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
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

85 reports5 crashes
“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 NHTSA 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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Air bagsODI 11699822

Structure

64 reports1 crash
“CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO SEE ASSUMING IT TO BE DEPLOYED ANYTIME SOON RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE PASSENGER FOR NO REASON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2021Air bags, StructureODI 11386760

Electrical system

31 reports2 fires
“FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MY CAR'S BATTERY WOULD PREMATURELY DRAIN TO THE POINT OF MY HAVING TO PURCHASE SEVERAL BATTERIES IN A MUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAN USUAL. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS THE PROBLEM. BUT ONLY AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE WAS I ABLE TO DETERMINE THE TRUE ISSUE. APPARENTLY, A MODULE USED TO CONTROL THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, AND THE COMPANY HAD KNOWN FOR YEARS AND STILL REFUSED TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND FIX THE ISSUE. I AM AN AGORAPHOBIC PERSON WHO SUFFERS FROM BIPOLAR DISORDER AND OTHER ANXIETY CONDITIONS, SO SIMPLY STICKING A CAR CAN BE TRAUMATIC IN CERTAIN SITUATION. ONE SUCH SITUATION IS EXPECTING BOTH ONE'S NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND BATTERY PERFORM ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY ALL THE TIME; MY REASON FOR PURCHASING THE CAR WAS BECAUSE IT HAD THE PREMIUM NAVIGATION OPTION, WHICH, AT THE TIME, HELPED ALLEVIATE MY ANXIETY BY PROVIDING VERBAL DIRECTIONS IN REAL TIME TO MY LOCATION, WHICH REDUCES THE ANXIETY FROM THE AGORAPHOBIA. IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MY ANXIETY LEVEL HAS INCREASED TO UNHEALTHY LEVELS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE BATTERY CAUSED BY SOME PHANTOM DRAIN FROM…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2020Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11322930
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 Nov 11, 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$3,600423
TL
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,600423
  • TL
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • TL
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2006 Acura TL as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1839
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

2006 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Acura TL have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2006 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 247 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (85), structure (64), electrical system (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Acura TL at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026