Avoid: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2014
15 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 19 model years, the Acura TL has 3,189 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 76 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. 2004 drew the most complaints (551), 2014 the fewest (17).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Acura TL vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $8,537–$13,495.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2008 | 124 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2006 | 247 |
| 2005 | 388 |
| 2004 | 551 |
| 2003 | 397 |
| 2002 | 353 |
| 2001 | 162 |
| 2000 | 251 |
| 1999 | 159 |
| 1998 | 26 |
| 1997 | 33 |
| 1996 | 39 |
Highest: 2004 (551 complaints). Lowest: 2014 (17).
Owner sentiment is sharply divided by transmission choice rather than by the car itself.
Owners report failures as early as 60,000 miles and as late as 190,000 miles, with multiple owners replacing the transmission two or more times.
Described as significantly more robust than 2004-2006 but not immune, with one owner reporting failure at 210,000 miles.
Reported as occasional and often linked to abusive driving, with a fluid swap cited as a workaround.
Due around 105,000 miles and reported to cost roughly $1,000-1,500.
Most often associated with high-mileage 3rd generation cars.
Owner insights cover all generations of the TL. Individual model years are broken down above.
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