Model year record

2006 Acura TL recalls & problems

The 2006 Acura TL has 6 safety recalls and 247 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (85 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints247filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Acura TL in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 10, 2019

Accelerator pedal

Recall 19E0680003,744 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

Air bagsMar 6, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V1820001,101,534 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionJun 22, 2011

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 11E022000150 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.

SteeringFeb 27, 2008

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 08V091000273,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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).

EquipmentJul 26, 2006

Other › Owners/service/other manual

Recall 06V2700001,190,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Risk: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

Air bagsNov 3, 2005

Frontal

Recall 05V510000316 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ON THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM WHERE THE TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS IS MOUNTED, NEAR THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.
Risk: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN OR FALL OUT, THE SENSOR MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY DETECT A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DELAYED OR NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAG INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REMOVE THE BUMPER AND RETORQUE THE LOOSE BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 AND ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Acura TL 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2006 Acura TL NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

TL

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

TL

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsSide/window; Frontal	85	5	0	3	101,000 mi
StructureBody	64	1	0	0	89,500 mi
Unknown or other	44	1	0	0	90,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood	31	0	2	1	75,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections; Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid	28	0	1	0	120,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	19	0	0	0	108,353 mi
Engine	10	0	1	0	85,000 mi
SuspensionFront	9	1	0	0	43,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	9	2	0	1	70,431 mi
Service brakes	9	0	0	0	81,868 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Rim	7	2	0	0	63,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	6	0	0	0	94,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

EngineFire
As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.
Jul 8, 2026
Air bags
My Acura (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a non-collision spontaneous deployment of the side airbag while the vehicle was completely stationary. There was no impact, no crash, and no triggering event. This is a serious safety defect that could have caused significant injury or loss of vehicle control had the car been in motion. This vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Recall 19V182000 involving Takata airbag inflators, but the recall repair was never completed, and the recall now shows as closed. It is unclear whether the recall was closed in error or whether the inflator or a related airbag component failed due to the unresolved safety defect. There were no warning lights, messages, or…
Nov 7, 2025
Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator…
Sep 10, 2023 · 170,000 miles
Steering
power steering leaking fluid
Dec 21, 2024
Unknown or other
I am the original owner of this 2006 Acura TL. I have vertical cracks on the dashboard surrounding the passenger SRS airbag system. Aside from the bad look, is there a safety issue from either the air bag deploying prematurely and/or the air bag deploying in an unsafe manner and injuring the passenger. I have researched this issue online and there are numerous complaints about this dashboard issue and possible issues with the SRS airbag deployment.
Sep 1, 2021
Power train
Transmission shifts down very hard, once causing the car to lose traction and skid approximately 10 feet on the highway. The car luckily regained control and I avoided collision. I have seen many other reports of hard shifting in this car.
Jun 1, 2023
Power train
My transmission failed at 105,000 had to pay 4500 for a new transmission, Iâm sure they have had complaints about the Acura TL through 2004-2008. I am currently on my third transmission and now the new one is hard shifting already.
Jun 3, 2019
Air bags
Dashboard cracked. Internet search revels this is a Acura TL fleet wide issue. Cracked dashboard may rip airbag during deployment rendering it useless, impede airbag deployment, or send shards of plastic during airbag deployment.
Mar 31, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.