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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-ACURA-TLNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Acura
2005 Acura TL problems
The 2005 Acura TL has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 387 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2005 Acura TL has 387 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 135 complaints, typically surfacing around 104,813 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
1
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 TL?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Powertrain: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–120,000 mi
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
7 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Acura TL? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 135 owner reports
· tends to show around 104,813 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
body — 90 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,305 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
powertrain — 34 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,756 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 24 owner reports
· tends to show around 121,288 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 89,756 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 TL· powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Acura tl. While attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the rpms increased, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The…
No accident - noticed on or about 12-26-2008 that passenger side headlight, when on, displaying a purple like tint- low-beam. 12-29-2008, bulb/light system failed. Dealer - 12/31/2008 states igniter, inverter and possible bulb failed. Repair 1000.00 plus. Inverter and igniter…
Tire specs -goodyear eagle 235/45zr17 94y s2 eagle response edge vsb on 2005 Acura tl with variable assist steering. I recently replaced my tires with goodyear response edge carbon fiber sidewall tires. These tires played havoc with the vas system. The steering wheel could…
Michelin pilot hx mxm4 tire failure complaint against Acura and michelin tire corporations**cc the right front tire dislodged completely off of the rim. The portion of the tire which comes in contact with the road surface completely separated from the remainder of the tire. The…
Had a problem with your 2005 Acura TL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Affinia is recalling certain aftermarket front suspension lower ball joints, napa part no
Misapplication of this part could lead to separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm and collapse of the front suspension, which could potentially cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Affinia is working with napa to identify any owners that have had this part mistakenly installed on to an Acura tl vehicle, and will replace the part free of charge. The safety recall began on july 20, 2011. Owners may contact affinia group's warranty administrator at 1-815-759-7757.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 387 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Acura TL has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Acura TL?
The 2005 Acura TL is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–120,000 mi; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Acura TL?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 135 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Acura TL a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 387 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 104,813 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Acura TL?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 135 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 104,813 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura TL has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Acura TL?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 387 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Acura/TL.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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