Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front passenger?s airbag inflators have failed internally.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Acura TL airbags problems
severe 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 33 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 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
Owners have filed 33 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Airbags accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
LETTER SENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT TO REMIND FLORIDA OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most consistent complaint across these 33 narratives is dashboard cracking directly over the passenger-side airbag. Owners describe cracks appearing suddenly, often overnight, while the vehicle sits parked or garaged—no accident, no impact, no maintenance performed. The cracks range from single 6-inch lines to multiple lengthy fissures spreading across the dashboard. Several owners note the cracks expand and contract with temperature swings, suggesting material degradation rather than trauma. Even owners who replaced the dashboard report it cracking again in the same location within months or years.
Acura's response is consistent: the company states the cracks are cosmetic and do not compromise airbag deployment, refuses to cover repair costs beyond the initial warranty, and has not issued a recall. Owners face $1,600–$2,000 bills to replace the entire dashboard. Multiple owners cite online forums and complaint databases showing hundreds of 2008 TL owners dealing with identical cracking.
A smaller but serious cluster involves unintended airbag deployments. Owners report airbags firing while driving at low speed, during braking, or from minor road hazards like small potholes—situations that should not trigger deployment. In one case, airbags deployed on the passenger side when a driver-side tire hit a curb. Some deployments happened while the vehicle was merely parked. Additionally, some owners report persistent SRS warning lights that remain on even after repairs or recall work, and one case of airbags that deployed but failed to properly inflate.
Same Acura TL airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking over passenger airbag
Vertical, horizontal, or perimeter cracks develop in the dashboard directly above or around the passenger-side airbag housing, often appearing suddenly without impact or accident. Owners report cracks ranging from 6 inches to multiple lengthy fissures. Cracks may expand in cooler temperatures and contract in warmer conditions. Repeated occurrence even after replacement.
When: Typically under 80,000 miles; some instances within first year of ownership. Occurs with vehicle stationary in garage or parked lot.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible crack(s) in dashboard over passenger airbag area; Crack appears suddenly overnight; Cracks expand and contract with temperature changes; Multiple cracks developing over time in same location; Crack reappears after dashboard replacement; Dashboard separating from frame on passenger side
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships quote $1,600–$2,000 for full dashboard replacement. Replacement dashboards reported to crack again. No manufacturer assistance beyond warranty period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura states cracking does not affect airbag deployment and is cosmetic. Refuses to acknowledge design defect or issue recall. Directs owners to pay out-of-pocket for replacement. SRS light may remain on after replacement.
Unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deploy without collision, impact, or identifiable trigger. Incidents include driver-side curtain airbags deploying while braking at traffic light, passenger-side roof/seat/side airbags deploying from minor curb strike, and airbags deploying while vehicle in motion at low speed. No impact detected by dealership inspection.
When: While driving; one incident at approximately 125,000 miles. Occurs during normal driving or minor road hazards (small pothole, curb strike, slight impact).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deploy without warning or collision; Ringing in ears and flashing lights from deployment; Airbag light remains on after deployment; Airbags deploy from minor hazards (pothole, curb) disproportionate to trigger; Multiple airbag zones deploy from single-side impact
Codes mentioned: SRS light on
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed; dealers unable to diagnose cause or find mechanical fault. One owner replaced batteries and alternator for unrelated Bluetooth issue but SRS light persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned by owners; some suspect vehicles should be included but are excluded from recall lists. Acura hotline contacted but no clear resolution documented.
Airbag deployment malfunction or failure to deploy
Airbags deploy partially (inflate but do not fully inflate), deploy but only on side opposite impact, or fail to deploy in actual accident. One reported case where airbags deployed from driver-side tire impact yet passenger-side airbags deployed instead.
When: One instance at 65 mph hitting pothole; one instance during actual crash (ice/embankment collision).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed but did not inflate; Airbags deployed on opposite side from impact point; Airbags failed to deploy in actual accident scenario; Seat belt tensioner operated
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. One owner expressed concern airbags would be useless in actual accident after prior malfunction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated deflated airbags deployed due to pothole and saw no malfunction. No further action documented.
SRS warning light persistent after repair
SRS (airbag) warning light remains illuminated continuously even after component replacement (seat belt buckle recall work, battery/alternator replacement). Light does not clear with troubleshooting.
When: September 2016 onward; persistent for months.
Symptoms owners cite: SRS light on constantly; SRS light does not clear after seat belt recall repair; SRS light does not clear after electrical component replacement; Airbag light on after unintended deployment
Codes mentioned: SRS light
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt buckle under recall was replaced but did not resolve SRS light. Bluetooth module disconnected in one case due to repeated battery drain. No successful SRS light resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura refuses to acknowledge root cause or provide warranty coverage outside initial period. No diagnostic protocol documented.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
12" vertical crack on passenger side dashboard, found many complaints of same nature on the internet and one here, here is the complaint found here: my 2008 tl dashboard started to crack in august over the passenger airbag area. Now in september there are at least 3 lengthy cracks throughout the dashboard. Although I live in fl. I park in a covered garage every day for work from 10 am to 6:30…
There is a long gash in the dashboard by the passenger airbag. Apparently this is a known issue based on internet searches and Acura has not issued any recall for the same even though it poses a potential safety risk. I reached out to Acura corporate and their response was that because my vehicle is outside the initial warranty period, there is nothing they can do. There are numerous online…
In september 2018, seemingly overnight, 2 large cracks developed in my dashboard, on the passenger side, directly over the airbag. I'm concerned that this is a safety issue, because the damage is directly over the airbags.
There are three long crack on my dashboard, I'm afraid that it will affect my front passenger air bag.
Crack developed along the perimeter of the passenger airbag location. This presents a potential safety hazard. There needs to be a safety recall to fix this potential safety hazard that could be fatal. Almost everyone I know that owns this third generation Acura tl has this crack problem. Something needs to be done. This is unacceptable.
I am the only owner with 39,000 miles on it. I moved to south florida 5 years ago. The dashboard has major cracks over the passenger airbag. I saw this "letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience." I should be included in the recall. The vehicle…
The area around my passenger side airbag on the dash is completely cracked and damaged. I'm concerned that the airbag is damaged under neath and will not deploy during a accident. These cracks just appeared one day while the vehicle was parked and a few days later more cracks. Acura should truly consider recalling these vehicles before someone dies due to there negligence. This is my 2nd…
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Acura TL?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 72,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 72,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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/2008/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.