Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Acura TL problems
Owners filed 247 complaints about the 2006 Acura TL with NHTSA between Mar 2006 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (85).
Complaints
247
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags85
- Structure64
- Electrical system31
- Steering28
- Power train19
- Engine10
- Vehicle speed control9
- Suspension9
- Service brakes9
- Wheels7
- Electronic stability control (esc)6
- Equipment4
- Exterior lighting4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
6
2
2
10
15
17
23
38
33
25
18
15
12
8
4
3
5
2
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
85 reports5 crashes2 related recalls
“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…”
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.”
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…”
Steering
28 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed. The contact replaced the sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the power steering hose was leaking. The contact was informed that the steering fluid had entered other unknown components of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was topping off the…”
Power train
19 reports
“Transmission shifts down very hard, once causing the car to lose traction and skid approximately 10 feet on the highway. The car luckily regained control and I avoided collision. I have seen many other reports of hard shifting in this car.”
Engine
10 reports1 fire
“Car has been in family and well taken care of, smell of fire along with multiple alternators and battery changes. Mechanics cannot figure out why car goes through alternator and batteries. Paid for 6 to 8 alternator and battery. Transmission is now going on car. Like I said car has been taken care of but not worth transmission job, my complaint is I see almost every person who has Acura TL all have transmission problems. I need Acura to answer for all transmission problems through the whole country and why so many alternators and batteries?”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.