Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Acura TL problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2009 Acura TL with NHTSA between Jul 2009 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (19).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags19
  2. Structure6
  3. Visibility6
  4. Power train5
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Engine2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Steering2
  10. Back over prevention1
  11. Seats1
  12. Other / unknown1

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20091
20106
20110
20120
20132
20143
20154
201616
20174
20181
20193
20200
20210
20220
20231
20240
20251

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

19 reports2 crashes3 related recalls
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2017Air bagsODI 10955286

Structure

6 reports
“HOOD FALLS SUDDENLY WHEN OPEN. STRUTS HAVE FAILED TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN SECURELY. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER ( ACURA OF SANTA MONICA CALIFORNIA) AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO HOT WEATHER IN LOS ANGELES. NOW, THE SECOND TIME, IT HAS HAPPENED IN WINTER WHEN THE LA TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 60'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO SERIOUSLY INJURING MY HAND OR LOSING A FINGER!!! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2015StructureODI 10689690

Visibility

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CONTAINED SEVERAL CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2014VisibilityODI 10637522

Power train

5 reports
“I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DUE TO A MECHANICAL RECALL THAT WENT UNDIAGNOSED.( OVER OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL, IN WHICH I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING THE LETTER PRODIVIDED) I WAS DRIVING OFF OF PLEASANT STREET IN HANSON MA, CROSSING ONTO THE MAIN ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN AND FROZE THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO A POLICE OFFICER WAS ON THE SCENE TO HELP ME SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN CALLING ACURA OF HONDA AND THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING ME IN CIRCLES WITH NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND DENIED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO COVER THIS PROBLEM, AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WHICH THE CLAIM SAFETY IS FIRST AND FOR THE CLIENT, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO DELIVER ON THEIR OWN WORDS IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY DOWN IN HOPES THAT THEY SUPPLY A REPAIR SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN MUCH AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2019Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11251847

Electrical system

3 reports
“The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off without warning due to the key hinge lock failure on the highway ant speed and well as on bumpy roads and at stoplights.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11678215

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems to be a known issue Acura is aware of....there seems to be a problem with the VSA Modular failing which is leaking air into the brake line and causing spongy brakes. This is sooooo dangerous as it happens out of no where Im driving normal and suddenly it feels like I have no brakes. The spongy brakes cause a lag in stopping and if for some reason I have to suddenly stop I would be unable to...this symptom last sometimes minutes, hours, and days with no reason and then brakes return to normal. Im afraid to drive my vehicle as this is dangerius and a safety issue. Acura should issue a recall as this is putting lives in danger.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2023Service brakesODI 11504865
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.