2008 Acura TL: common problems and reliability

The 2008 Acura TL has 124 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and steering. Owners most often flag catastrophic automatic transmission failures (1999-2006 primarily), complete 2nd gear failures, oil jet clogging, inadequate cooling, premature wear 80,000-120,000 miles typical, replacement cost $3,500-$5,500, honda extended warranties covered many failures though expired, drain-and-fill every 30,000 miles (never power flush) critical prevention, 2007+ significantly improved though not immune, very frequent (1999-2006), recurrent (2007-2008), isolated (2009-2014 with 6-speed auto).

Safety record for the 2008 model year

124
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
4
Crash reports
7
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Acura TL vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

air bags
34
steering
26
structure
20
electrical system
15
engine
10

Recalls affecting the 2008 TL

vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

Campaign 19E068000

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord,…

steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

Campaign 08V091000

HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.

steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

Campaign 12V222000

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In Septembe…

suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

Campaign 11E022000

AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA A…

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment for sport sedan regarded as Acura's golden era defining model, praised extensively for powerful smooth J-series V6 engines delivering effortless acceleration, engaging driving dynamics balancing sport and comfort, timeless ele

  • Catastrophic automatic transmission failures (1999-2006 primarily), complete 2nd gear failures, oil jet clogging, inadequate cooling, premature wear 80,000-120,000 miles typical, replacement cost $3,500-$5,500, Honda extended warranties covered many failures though expired, drain-and-fill every 30,000 miles (NEVER power flush) critical prevention, 2007+ significantly improved though not immune, very frequent (1999-2006), recurrent (2007-2008), isolated (2009-2014 with 6-speed auto)
  • Universally cracked dashboards, all 3rd generation (2004-2008) affected regardless of climate or care, cracks develop 80,000-150,000 miles, sunlight accelerates deterioration, no permanent repair exists, dash covers only solution, replacement dash costs $1,200-$2,000 installed and cracks again, very frequent (3rd gen universal)
  • Driver seat bolster wear and peeling, leather quality poor allowing driver side bolster to crack, peel, tear exposing foam, typical 100,000-150,000 miles, replacement seat covers $200-$400, reupholstery $600-$1,000 per seat, very frequent
  • Paint clear coat failure and peeling, Honda/Acura paint notoriously poor quality, clear coat delaminates exposing primer, typical 10-15 years regardless of care, black and red colors most affected, complete respray only solution $3,000-$8,000, recurrent
  • Oil consumption issues (3.7L V6 2009-2014), worn piston rings or deteriorated piston liners cause excessive oil burning, 1-2 quarts per 1,000 miles typical severe cases, Honda issued recall for piston ring replacement, repair requires engine disassembly $3,000-$5,000, check recall completion status, recurrent (3.7L engines)

Owner insights cover all generations of the TL.

Typical used price

Used TL listings typically run $8,537–$13,495 across 2002 to 2014 model years.

Other TL model years

2011 TL2006 TL2003 TL2002 TL1999 TL1998 TL1996 TL
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