1999 Acura TL: common problems and reliability

159 owner complaints on record.

Most complaints are about electrical system. 4 recalls.

Should I buy a 1999 TL?

The 1999 Acura TL has 159 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and power train.

Safety record for the 1999 model year

159
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
18
Crash reports
4
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Acura TL vehicles (US, public record).

How we score it

Is 1999 a good year for the TL?

Across the 19 TL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2014) to 551 (2004). With 159 complaints, the 1999 TL sits above 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

electrical system
58
power train
38
air bags
13
engine and engine cooling
12
vehicle speed control
11

Recalls affecting the 1999 TL

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V026000

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.

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 02V120000

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.

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 05V025000

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.

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 03V423000

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."

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 1999 ranks against the rest.

Compare the TL against its rivals

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