Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Acura TL
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Acura TL has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 551 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19E068000 Accelerator Pedal May Bind/FMVSS 124 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V182000 Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11E022000 LOWER BALL JOINT/REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V091000 POWER STEERING HOSE OIL LEAKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V092000 WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V176000 HONDA/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 232 complaints
- Air Bags 199 complaints
- Power Train 56 complaints
- Tires 51 complaints
- Unknown or Other 49 complaints
- Steering 34 complaints
Of the 551 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 551 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Acura TL has several recalls and complaints regarding its transmission and power steering components. Despite these issues, the model maintains an average rating due to its decent performance and relatively moderate repair costs, but potential buyers should remain cautious about recurring issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| automatic transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | common |
| power steering hose | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| control arm | 90,000–130,000 miles | $200–$500 | occasional |
| windshield wiper motor | 60,000–90,000 miles | $150–$300 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacements
- Coolant flush every 2 years
- Timing belt change at 100,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotations and balance
- Replace air filters annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Delayed shifting or slipping gears
- Power steering fluid leaks
- Unusual steering noises
- Windshield wiper failure
- Vibration or uneven tire wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Acura TL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.