Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2008 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints for the 2008 Acura TL. Most complaints involve air bags (34) and steering (26). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
124
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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

Steering: hose, piping, and connections

Remedy pending

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.

SteeringReported May 17, 2012NHTSA 12V222000

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 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2007 – Mar 2026
  1. Air bags34
  2. Steering26
  3. Structure20
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Engine10
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Power train8
  8. Suspension7
  9. Seats6

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
4
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
3
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

Air bags

34 reports1 crash
“I noticed a vertical straight line/crack in the dashboard of my 2008 Acura TL located on the passenger side, which is directly in the area of the air bag system. Oddly enough it seemed to appear literally overnight. I’ve noticed the crack seems to expand when in cooler temperatures, however the crack appears to fuse back together when the temperature is warmer and/or hot outside, which is concerning in itself. My vehicle has been stored in a garage since it’s purchase and when not in use a sunshade is used to protect the dash when exposed outside. I am very concerned that there may be a bigger problem with the air bag system that may result in the air bags being inadvertently deployed resulting in an accident, injury or even greater death. Internet searches reveal this a common problem among individuals similarly situated with the same make and model, and Acura is apparently aware. My vehicle is regularly serviced and maintained at the Acura Dealership in Memphis. I have reached out to the dealership regarding this issue, however I have not heard back from them regarding a possible resolution. I believe this issue warrants some type of safety recall before…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2021Air bagsODI 11422396

Steering

26 reports1 crash5 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at lower speeds or while making a left or right turn, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. It was unknown whether the vehicle was previously diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2025SteeringODI 11704570

Structure

20 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the passenger's side dashboard was cracked near the passenger's side air bag housing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2022StructureODI 11463069
All 2008 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

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 3.5L 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, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,800423
TL
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$4,000444
  • TL
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • TL
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • TL
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    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 2008 Acura TL as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2422
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

2008 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Acura TL have?

4 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 2008 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (34), steering (26), structure (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Acura TL at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026