2008 Acura TL Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 21 engine complaints for the 2008 Acura TL, 17% of its 124 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 70,000, and reports include 3 fires and 1 crash, though no engine recall is tied to this model year.
- Engine complaints
- 21
- 17% of 124 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 124
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported after the vehicle was parked or during startup, in some cases originating from a power steering hose leaking fluid onto the catalytic converter.
- Owners describe sudden stalling while driving at low speeds, with the engine restarting on its own moments later.
- One owner reported a piston rod breaking and destroying the engine and oil pan at very low mileage, described by the dealer as extremely rare.
- Reports of the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or rolling forward from a parked or stopped position with the brake failing to stop it initially.
- A persistent 'tighten fuel cap' warning light that stayed on even after the fuel cap was replaced, alongside separate motor mount and transmission repairs.
- Some owners noted power steering hose deterioration causing smoke and hissing sounds under the hood, with at least one driver saying their car was not covered by an existing recall despite the same failure.
When 2008 Acura TL engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 14, 2008, latest Mar 16, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2008 Acura TL
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by TL model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2008 Acura TL?
- NHTSA lists 21 engine-related complaints for the 2008 Acura TL, which is 17% of the 124 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an engine recall for the 2008 Acura TL?
- No engine recalls are listed for the 2008 Acura TL in this dataset, though some owners reported power steering hose failures similar to issues covered by a related recall on other vehicles.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2008 TL?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2008 TL is 70,000 miles.
- Are there fire risks with the 2008 Acura TL engine?
- NHTSA complaint data includes 3 fire reports and 1 crash report tied to the engine component for the 2008 TL.
- How does the 2008 TL compare to other TL years for engine complaints?
- The 2008 TL's 17% share of complaints tied to the engine is higher than most other TL years in the data, though 2012 recorded a slightly higher share at 18%.