YearToAvoid

2009 Acura TL Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

44/100

#6 most-complained of 10 TL years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Acura TL has a complaint index of 44, ranking it 6th worst of 10 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other TL years. NHTSA lists 42 complaints, 3 recalls, and 5 crashes tied to this model year, with airbags as the top problem area.

Complaints
42
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2009 Acura TL problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags19 (45%)
  2. Structure & Body7 (17%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers6 (14%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain5 (12%)
  5. Electrical System3 (7%)
  6. Brakes2 (5%)
  7. Engine2 (5%)
  8. Fuel System2 (5%)
  9. Steering2 (5%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the steering wheel suddenly locking up at low speed, in one case causing a sideswipe collision.
  • Airbags reportedly deployed unexpectedly at very low speeds, in one instance causing the car to crash into a fence.
  • One owner described the brakes failing to stop the car while exiting a parking lot, leading to a crash into a tree with the engine continuing to rev.
  • Reflective trim on the lower dashboard reportedly creates strong glare in the side and rearview mirrors on sunny days, described as covering nearly the entire mirror surface and creating a blind spot.
  • Owners report the driver's side window rattling excessively when the door shuts or on rough roads.
2009 Acura TL complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2009Dec 2010Sep 2014Oct 2015Jun 2016Nov 2016Mar 2017Aug 2019
50 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2009 to Aug 2025; peak Apr 2016 (4).

2009 Acura TL recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V061000Feb 3, 2016Airbags2,232,187 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

2009 Acura TL fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
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.

2009 compared with other TL years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution56124221
2008Caution67124221
2009Good4442320.5
2010Good3364320
2011Best1120320

All Acura TL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Acura TL reliable?
Compared with other TL model years, the 2009 has a complaint index of 44, better than higher-index years like 2005 (100) and 2006 (89). It carries a 'Good' verdict relative to the rest of the model lineup.
What problems does the 2009 Acura TL have?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 TL are led by airbags (45% of complaints, median mileage 50,075), followed by structure and body issues (17%) and visibility/wiper problems (14%), including glare from dashboard trim.
Does the 2009 Acura TL have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 TL, all related to airbag inflators, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2009 Acura TL compare to other years?
The 2009 ranks 6th worst out of 10 model years by complaint index (44), better than 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012, but worse than 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Acura TL?
EPA rates the 2009 Acura TL at 20.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.