POWER STEERING MOANS OR WHINES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Acura TL steering problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2fires
1injury
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Acura TL steering system shows multiple fault patterns across 23 complaints. Hydraulic power steering hose failures dominate the record. Owners at 160,000 and 200,000 miles experienced fluid leaking into the catalytic converter, causing smoke and fire. One vehicle caught fire in a parking lot at 200,300 miles; another smoked on the road. A recall (NHTSA 08V091000) addressed the hose issue, but owners report the pump failed afterward or hose problems recurred without remedy.
Low-speed power steering loss appears in multiple reports—steering becomes rock-hard during parking, reversing, and slow turns below 10–15 mph, then functions normally at highway speed. Owners visiting dealers multiple times report no fix found. One owner's axle snapped at 200,300 miles during a 3 mph parking maneuver; the shaft had rusted under the vibration damper. Dealers were slow to schedule recall work despite fire risk. One report noted aftermarket tire replacement on variable assist steering caused steering centering to drift and the car to turn abruptly without steering input—resolved by switching to different tires. Steering wheel groaning and hard-turn incidents are scattered throughout the complaint set.
Same Acura TL steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering hose/fluid leak & fire risk
Hydraulic power steering hose ruptures or connections fail, allowing fluid to leak. Owners report fluid leaking into the catalytic converter causing smoke/fire, or pump failure after hose replacement. One vehicle caught fire at 200,300 miles; another smoked at 160,000 miles with fluid in converter.
When: 200,300 miles; 160,000 miles; 56,000 miles (pump failure post-recall); 72,000 miles (rack/pinion leak)
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke or fire from engine bay; Heat from vents despite A/C off; Power steering fluid leaking; Difficulty steering or power steering loss
Repairs/costs cited: Hose replacement performed under recall (NHTSA 08V091000); pump replacement cost varies. One owner replaced both front axle assemblies at unspecified cost after snapped axle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 08V091000 (Steering: Hydraulic Power Assists: Hose, Piping, and Connections). One owner reported to Acura (Case #08888084) with no resolution mentioned. Dealer advised to bring vehicle but no repair completed in one case. No recall found for continued pump failures post-hose repair.
Power steering failure at low speeds
Power steering becomes difficult or impossible to operate at parking speeds (under 10–15 mph) during turning, parking, and reversing. Owners report the issue resolves above 10–15 mph, raising concern it could recur at highway speeds.
When: Recurring over months to years; no specific mileage cited
Symptoms owners cite: Hard to turn steering wheel at low speed; Steering wheel moaning/groaning while turning; Loss of power assist during parking/reversing; No power steering loss above 10–15 mph
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer unable to help after 5 visits in one year. Another mentions power steering pump and rack replacement after recall, but hose issue ruled out as cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or warranty coverage mentioned for low-speed power steering loss. Recall (08V091000) addressed hose issue but did not resolve recurring power steering failures in some owners' cases.
Front axle assembly snap/fracture
Driver's side front axle shaft snapped in half during low-speed maneuvering (3 mph forward from parking space). Inspection revealed axle rusted underneath vibration damper; passenger side also showed rust. Owner replaced both front axle assemblies. No recall found despite safety-critical failure.
When: 200,300 miles (original owner, routine maintenance performed)
Symptoms owners cite: Sound of breaking metal during low-speed maneuver; Vehicle came to halt, would not move in Drive; Difficulty shifting gears; gear stuck in Reverse; Ignition key locked in place
Repairs/costs cited: Both front axle assemblies replaced by independent mechanic; specific cost not stated. Repair bill attached to complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin found. Owner reported to Acura (Case #08888084) on 8/7/2018 but no mention of manufacturer response or assistance.
Steering wheel/rack hard to turn under load
Steering wheel becomes hard or impossible to turn during active driving maneuvers (merging, cornering, or low-speed parking), sometimes with audible groaning. One case involved temporary loss of control while merging onto freeway due to hard turn and power steering fluid leak.
When: Recurring; varies from shortly after purchase to years into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hard to turn; Temporary loss of control during turn/merge; Power steering fluid leaking; Steering wheel groaning/moaning; ABS warning light (reported in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports steering mechanism repair cost $1,600; another had power steering pump and rack replaced. Dealers unable to diagnose or repair in some cases despite multiple visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty assistance mentioned. One owner's dealer offered no help after 5 service visits in one year.
Tire/suspension mismatch with variable assist steering
Replacement of OEM tires with aftermarket Goodyear Response Edge (235/45ZR17) caused variable assist steering (VAS) system malfunction. Steering wheel could not stay centered and changed position during cornering, acceleration, and braking without steering input. Issue resolved by reverting to Dunlop SP5000 tires.
When: After aftermarket tire replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel off-center; Steering wheel centering drifts during drive; Abrupt turning into corners on acceleration; Steering turns outward during braking without input
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement with Dunlop SP5000 resolved issue; original tire specification was Goodyear Eagle 235/45ZR17.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 not be centered. In fact the centering changed throughout a drive. Cornering, on acceleration, the car turned abruptly…
Necesito saber si esta o no reportado como robado para comprarlo
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2005 Acura TL?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 80,000 and 155,000 miles, with the median around 130,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 155,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.