2005 Acura TL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Acura TL ranks worst of 10 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 100, 388 complaints, and 5 recalls. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by structure/body and airbag issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 10 TL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 388
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2005 Acura TL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body160 (41%)
- Airbags144 (37%)
- Other69 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (9%)
- Electrical System32 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (8%)
- Steering25 (6%)
- Engine20 (5%)
- Brakes12 (3%)
- Fuel System7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Cast aluminum wheels crack or break at the spokes after curb impacts or even during normal driving, sometimes causing loss of control.
- Owners report wheel separation while driving, with all five spokes breaking away from the center hub.
- Original equipment tires lose air repeatedly and perform poorly in wet or snowy conditions despite being rated for all-season use.
- Airbags reportedly deploy without any impact, striking the driver and obstructing visibility, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some owners describe the transmission engaging or the car moving unexpectedly while in park, resulting in collisions.
- Engine stalls in traffic with the battery and low oil pressure warning lights activating, requiring multiple restart attempts.
2005 Acura TL recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Airbags1,101,534 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
- NHTSA 08V092000Feb 27, 2008Visibility & Wipers129,600 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Honda is recalling 129,600 my 2004-2005 acura tl vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This could cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor housing.
Risk: If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a snorkel tube will be added to the wiper motor breather port to prevent water from entering the wiper motor housing and foam tape will be installed on the cowl above the wiper motor to direct water away from the wiper motor. If signs of corrosion damage are observed on the wiper motor, the motor will be replaced, and the breather tube and foam tape will also be installed to prevent water intrusion on the new wiper motor. The recall began on april 28, 2008. Owners may contact acura at 1-800-382-2238.
- NHTSA 08V091000Feb 27, 2008Steering273,000 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Honda is recalling 273,000 my 2004-2008 acura tl vehicles. Prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
Risk: Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on april 28, 2008. Owners may contact acura at 800-382-2238. This is an expansion of a previous recall (please see 07v551).
2005 Acura TL fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other TL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Acura TL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 TL has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 10 model years covered, and it carries an Avoid verdict for this model.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2005 Acura TL?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 41% of reports and Airbags make up 37%, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 9%.
- Does the 2005 Acura TL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Acura TL, covering airbags, windshield wiper motor corrosion, power steering hose deterioration, fuel pump relay failure, and a loose fuse box terminal.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2005 Acura TL?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 91,000 miles, though Structure & Body issues show up around a median of 94,900 miles and Suspension issues around 43,805 miles.
- How does the 2005 Acura TL compare to other TL years?
- The 2005 TL ranks worst of 10 years with a complaint index of 100, while the 2011 and 2014 model years earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 11 and 0.