1996 Acura TL: common problems and reliability
39 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about service brakes. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 1996 TL?The 1996 Acura TL has 39 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic.
Safety record for the 1996 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Acura TL vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1996 a good year for the TL?
Across the 19 TL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2014) to 551 (2004). With 39 complaints, the 1996 TL sits below the model's median of 124.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1996 TL
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 99V227000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 99V069000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
What owners say across generations
Owner sentiment is sharply divided by transmission choice rather than by the car itself.
Owner insights cover all generations of the TL. See the full TL owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used TL listings typically run $8,537–$13,495 across 2002 to 2014 model years.
Other TL model years
Compare every TL year side by side to see how 1996 ranks against the rest.
Compare the TL against its rivals
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