Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Acura TL electrical problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 24 electrical complaints filed for the 2007 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Among the 6 model years of Acura TL in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DEALER MESSAGE - AHM IS INVESTIGATING CLIENT COMPLAINT OF HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY REPAIR, PLEASE SEND SUSPECT PARTS BACK TO AHM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AHM IS INVESTIGATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF THE HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PLEASE SEND SPECIFIC PARTS TO AHM PRIOR TO ATTEMPING ANY REPAIRS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION OF THE HANDSFREELINK (HFL) NOT WORKING OR THE BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Acura TL has a pervasive hands-free link (HFL) module that continuously draws power even with the vehicle parked and ignition off. Owners consistently report complete battery drain within 2–7 days of non-use. The module fails to shut down properly due to an internal partial short circuit. Multiple owners document that disconnecting the battery stops the problem temporarily, but the drain resumes once reconnected. One owner replaced the HFL module in 2009 only to experience the exact same drain within 72 hours. Acura service bulletins document this defect since 2005 and dealers openly acknowledge it is a known issue, yet no recall has been issued. Repairs cost $700–$900 at dealerships; the part itself runs $200–$285 online with 10-minute installation labor. Owners report replacing the same battery multiple times in months without fixing the root cause.
Beyond battery drain, owners describe spontaneous engine starts while parked with the ignition off and rough idle with burning smells under the hood. Highway stalling at 65 mph with all warning lights illuminating and inability to restart has been reported, along with stuck ignition keys and locked doors. One owner's computer was found wet from an unknown source. Passenger-side dashboard cracks around the airbag compartment have also appeared spontaneously on parked vehicles, raising airbag safety concerns. One ignition switch failure occurred when a worn key fob hinge folded, allowing the key chain weight to rotate the switch to off while driving.
Same Acura TL electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Hands-Free Link (HFL) Module Battery Drain
The HFL/Bluetooth module fails to shut down when the vehicle is parked, drawing continuous current and draining the battery completely within 2–7 days of non-use. Owners report this is a chronic issue affecting 2004–2008 Acura TLs. A partial short circuit in the module is the suspected root cause. Replacement modules exhibit the same defect.
When: Occurs after 2–7 days of non-use; one owner replaced module in 2009 and experienced recurrence within 72 hours of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely drained after 2–7 days of non-use; Vehicle will not start without jump; No warning lights before failure; HFL never connects or functions properly; Bluetooth cannot be enabled
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of HFL module: $700–$900 labor plus $350+ parts; independent shops and owners report the part costs $200–$285 online; replacement takes ~10 minutes; disabling/disconnecting the module eliminates drain but loses Bluetooth functionality; multiple batteries replaced without fixing root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura service bulletins exist documenting the issue since 2005; Acura has confirmed to owners that HFL is the likely cause but does not recall the defect; dealer personnel acknowledge it is a known problem but not subject to recall; no manufacturer recall issued despite widespread reports
Spontaneous Engine Start with No Ignition Input
Engine starts itself while the vehicle is parked with the ignition switched off. The key cannot turn off the running engine because the ignition is not in the on/run position. Fire department suspected an electrical fire in the engine compartment. Starters may engage without electrical demand.
When: Vehicle parked in driveway for 2 hours; rough idle with burning smell from under hood
Symptoms owners cite: Engine runs on its own with ignition off; Very rough idle; Burning smell under hood; Key has no effect to turn engine off or on; Cooling fan runs after engine shut off (abnormally); Fire department suspected electrical fire in engine
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department disconnected battery to prevent recurrence; vehicle damage not yet assessed
Stalling During Highway Driving with Loss of Electrical Control
Vehicle stalls while driving at highway speed (65 mph). All instrument panel warning lights illuminate. Battery warning light may illuminate before stall. Engine will not restart after stall. Key may stick in ignition; doors will not unlock. Alternator failure and HFL module failure both implicated. Computer may show water damage from unknown source.
When: At highway speed (~65 mph); mileage ranges 14,000–35,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at 65 mph; All warning lamps illuminate; Key stuck in ignition; Doors will not unlock; Battery warning light illuminates; Vehicle vibrates uncontrollably before stall; Engine cannot be restarted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced computer (found to be wet from unknown substance); alternator and HFL module replacement noted in one case; dealers unable to diagnose in other instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but unable to determine cause in some cases; one dealer stated problem could recur
Passenger-Side Dashboard Crack at Airbag Housing
Large vertical cracks appear on the outer edge of the passenger airbag compartment on the dashboard for no apparent reason. Vehicle is garaged and kept clean. Cracks allow moisture ingress into the airbag compartment, potentially degrading the airbag system. Owners worry the airbag may not function properly or deploy without warning.
When: Occurred while vehicle parked in garage; reported as starting overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Vertical crack along outer edge of airbag compartment; Crack appears spontaneously with no external cause; Moisture can enter through crack into airbag compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Not covered under warranty; no repair cost provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; Acura refuses to replace affected dashboard
Ignition Switch Failure from Key Fob Wear
Key fob hinge wears and folds while driving. The weight of the attached key chain causes the ignition switch to rotate to the 'off' position, cutting power while the vehicle is in motion.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob folds due to wear at hinge; Ignition switch rotates to 'off' position unintentionally; Loss of electrical power while driving
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The battery drains down if the car is not started for two days. I have to jump start the car everytime. I have replaced the battery but still the problem exists. *tr
Had electrical trouble with your 2007 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 electrical problem on the 2007 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 35,000 and 107,745 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 107,745. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2007/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.