NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Acura TL Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Acura TL has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 157 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Acura dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Acura TL. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Acura TL owner complaints

Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Acura TL, describing incidents dated July 15, 1998 to April 20, 2022.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 58 complaints
Power Train 37 complaints
Engine 17 complaints
Air Bags 13 complaints
Unknown or Other 11 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 10 complaints

Of the 157 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 157 complaints, owners report 9 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11483942 · Filed September 12, 2022
My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take…
ODI #11462475 · Filed April 27, 2022
My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive
ODI #11452922 · Filed February 19, 2022
At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay…

Read all 157 complaints

Owner-reported

1999 Acura TL mileage at failure

83 of the 157 complaints on file for the 1999 Acura TL give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 115,000 miles	Middle half 85,000–165,000 miles	Based on 43 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Acura TL in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE05-002: IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Closed February 2, 2005
- Recall 05V-025

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V026000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 17, 2020 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,439,841 vehicles

Repair completion: 7.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign D8J, Z8G · Owners notified October 1, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

NHTSA #05V025000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2005 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 486,659 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign P68, P69 · Owners notified March 7, 2005 · Vehicles built February 16, 1999 – July 30, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

Safety consequence

IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NOS.P68, P69.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

HONDA/IGNITION SWITCH

NHTSA #03V423000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 27, 2003 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 563,861 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03-088/03-034 · Owners notified December 8, 2003 · Vehicles built January 7, 1998 – February 15, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Safety consequence

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NO. 03-088/ACURA RECALL NO. 03-034.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

HONDA/IGNITION SWITCH

NHTSA #02V120000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2002 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 1,000,000 vehicles

Owners notified June 14, 2002 · Vehicles built January 7, 1998 – August 26, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Safety consequence

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Acura TL. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

157 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Acura TL.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11483942

Incident: September 16, 2021 · Filed: September 12, 2022

My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.

Air Bags; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11462475

Crash

Incident: April 20, 2022 · Filed: April 27, 2022

My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive

Electrical System

ODI #11452922

Incident: January 20, 2019 · Filed: February 19, 2022

At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recently found that there was as noted above. Can you contact the Dealer on my behalf as I am under the impression that the dealer is suppose to replace the defective part at no cost as it does cause an unsafe condition when it occurs. Engine just dies without warning. There has not been an independent assessment of the condition as it occurs on a random basis and of course, never occurs when you want it to.

Air Bags

ODI #11360294

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: September 21, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF CONCORD (1340 CONCORD AVE, CONCORD, CA 94520 (925) 674-1900) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED, VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #11355117

Incident: January 1, 2020 · Filed: September 15, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED HILEY ACURA (3125 NE LOOP 820, FORT WORTH, TX 76137; (817) 232-2872) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #11353020

Incident: August 17, 2020 · Filed: September 3, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #11349203

Incident: January 17, 2020 · Filed: August 14, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED PROCTOR ACURA DEALER LOCATED AT 3523 W. TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

Air Bags

ODI #11330394

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: June 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO BERGSTROM USED CAR SUPER CENTER OF APPLETON (2925 N VICTORY LN #101, APPLETON, WI 54913, (800) 398-6846) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE

Air Bags

ODI #11320790

Incident: April 10, 2020 · Filed: April 10, 2020

ACURA OF CONCORD CA #251621 INFORMED IN A TELEPHONE CALL THAT THEY DO NOT INTEND TO REPAIR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF MY APRIL 10 2020 REQUEST FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER IS IN JEAPORDAY

Air Bags

ODI #11319074

Incident: March 23, 2020 · Filed: March 23, 2020

MY CAR NEEDS THE NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT. AS OF TODAY, MARCH 23, 2020, PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THE RECALL NOTICE FROM ACURA STATES "THE AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD ALSO RUPTURE DURING DEPLOYMENT, WITH METAL FRAGMENTS POSSIBLY STRIKING THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THIS POSSIBILITY. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA CONSUMER AFFAIRS (CASE # 10324034) AND REQUESTED ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO BE PROVIDED AT ACURA'S EXPENSE UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. MY REQUEST WAS REFUSED. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO INTERVENE AND ESCALATE MY REQUEST FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION.

Other Acura TL model years

Check your 1999 Acura TL VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Acura TL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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