I contacted Acura's corporate office regarding 3 large cracks that appeared on my Acura tl 2005 dashboard. I spoke with two representatives, who denied any knowledge of this problem occurring with other Acura owners. During our conversation, I told the representatives that I had done some research regarding this problem and discovered that several thousand complaints have been forwarded to the…
2005 Acura TL airbags problems
moderate 135 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
135
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 135 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Acura TL we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 135.
Airbags accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2005 Acura TL has a documented pattern of dashboard cracking around the passenger airbag area, often followed by airbag warning lights and uncertain airbag function. Repair costs ($900–$3,500) and Acura's inconsistent or absent warranty support make this a significant financial and safety concern for used buyers.
The overwhelming complaint pattern in these narratives is a defective dashboard that cracks, primarily around the passenger-side airbag compartment, on 2005 Acura TL vehicles. Owners report cracks appearing suddenly or within months, often described as spreading from hairline to 12+ inches, sometimes forming complete outlines around the airbag. Many describe the problem as occurring even in garaged, well-maintained vehicles with low mileage (some under 50,000 miles). Heat appears to affect visibility of cracks—they close when hot and reappear when cool.
The safety concern tied to these cracks is direct: owners worry the cracked dashboard will interfere with proper airbag deployment (blocking it, deflecting it, or allowing jagged pieces to be ejected into the cabin). A related but distinct issue is spontaneous or unwarranted airbag deployment in at least two cases. Dashboard cracks coincide with illumination of the passenger-side airbag warning light in many narratives. Repair costs cited range from $900 to $3,500, with many owners reporting Acura denied warranty coverage or offered partial "goodwill" repairs. Owners report finding thousands of similar complaints online and on Facebook, noting the issue affects 2004–2008 model years predominantly, yet the 2005 TL was excluded from Takata airbag recalls that covered other Acura models. One owner reported an airbag light malfunction unrelated to dashboard cracking, and another reported a sensor/seat belt light that remained on continuously.
Same Acura TL airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking around passenger-side airbag
Leather dashboard develops cracks, typically beginning around the passenger-side airbag compartment and spreading to multiple locations across the dashboard. Cracks range from hairline to 12+ inches and continue to expand over time. Occurs even in garaged, well-maintained vehicles with low mileage.
When: Varies; some owners report sudden appearance (24–48 hours), others report gradual development over months to years. Commonly occurs between 40,000–116,000 miles; some at under 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks in leather dashboard, particularly around passenger airbag outline; Cracks appear to expand in cooler temperatures and contract/close in heat; Multiple crack lines forming, some spanning full width of dash; Passenger-side airbag warning light illumination (intermittent or continuous); Sharp and jagged-edged crack surfaces
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning light (SRS light)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair typically involves full dashboard replacement. Owner-cited costs: $900–$3,500 (labor $1,850–$2,000+). Some owners report Acura offered 50%–85% cost-sharing via 'goodwill' gestures; others denied any assistance citing out-of-warranty status.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura representatives initially denied knowledge of widespread problem; later offered partial cost-sharing for some owners (labeled 'goodwill'). Most narratives indicate manufacturer refused to acknowledge this as a defect or initiate recall. Takata recall excluded 2004–2008 model-year TLs despite covering other Acura models.
Spontaneous or unwarranted airbag deployment
Passenger-side or dual (driver-side) airbags deployed without collision or impact. In one case, front driver's side airbag deployed while vehicle was in motion on a road, causing occupant injury and vehicle crash. In another case, driver-side and driver-seat airbags deployed without any impact; airbags did not inflate properly.
When: One reported at 230,000 miles; one at approximately 2/15/2010; exact mileage unknown for one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed suddenly without collision or impact warning; Airbag propelled fragments/debris into cabin; Airbag failure to inflate properly despite deployment; Driver loss of vehicle control resulting in secondary crash; Occupant injury (concussion, laceration, airbag burn, bruising, whiplash, soft tissue damage, difficulty breathing)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was totaled. Another repaired at dealership; specific costs not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure in one case. Dealership initially blamed impact (pothole, ice) despite owner denial and lack of physical vehicle damage to support impact claim. No clear manufacturer acknowledgment of airbag system malfunction.
Airbag non-deployment during collision
Frontal collision with extensive vehicle damage occurred without airbag deployment. Owner involved in rear-end collision at 40+ mph with significant front-end damage; airbags did not deploy to protect occupants.
When: Exact mileage not stated; incident occurred while vehicle was in use.
Symptoms owners cite: Frontal collision with significant vehicle damage to front end; Complete failure of airbags to deploy during high-impact collision; Occupants (adult and 2-year-old child) uninjured in this particular incident but at risk
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details cited.
Passenger-side airbag warning light malfunction
Airbag warning light (SRS light) illuminates intermittently or continuously, appearing when a passenger sits in the front seat or at random times during driving. In some cases, light remains on despite no passenger present. One owner reports light comes on even without passenger occupation.
When: Typically concurrent with or shortly after dashboard cracking, though one owner reports SRS light preceded visible cracking.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illumination on dashboard; Light comes on intermittently or continuously; Light responds to passenger presence in some cases; random activation in others
Codes mentioned: SRS/Airbag warning light, Recall-related codes mentioned (owner retrieved codes showing recall applicability despite VIN exclusion)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported being quoted $600 for diagnostic test and ~$2,000 for airbag sensor replacement. Another owner performed diagnostic via personal mechanic; codes indicated recall applicability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura dealerships have denied repair coverage, citing out-of-warranty status or VIN exclusion from recalls. One dealership claimed the 2004–2008 TL generation was not included in Takata recall despite codes suggesting otherwise.
Synthesized from 135 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Dash board began to crack alongside the right of the passenger dash airbag. The passenger side dash airbag is increasingly noticeable. Since june of 2014, the entire dashboard has continued to crack and is now significantly damaged due to the continuation of cracking that has evolved from the initial crack along side the airbag. Fayetteville, arkansas Acura service department insists that…
2005 Acura tl purchased with only 88,000 miles in above excellent (purchased from a Porsche mechanic) condition. The dash over the passenger side airbag started cracking around 100,000 miles and after reading all of the 'Acura forums' have discovered this is more than common with Acura owners around the u.s.a. Dash cracks anywhere near an airbag are more than alarming.
I am happy that I am not alone with this hazardous problem. I own a 2005 Acura tl base and my dashboard where the airbag is suppose to deploy has cracks in it. It seems all 04-05 Acura tl models are starting to notice these cracks. *tr
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Acura TL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 135 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 92 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 75,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Acura/TL.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.