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severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Of the 26 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
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.
Among the 6 model years of Acura TL in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
All 2 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
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.
Dealer message - In May 2010 and June 2012, American Honda announced a safety recall for 2004-08 TSX and 2007-08 TL due to a potentially leaking power steering feed hose. For some time, the countermeasure hoses and required repair parts have been in stock as part of special campaign parts kits available for dealer ordering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2008 Acura TL has a well-documented power steering system problem across 26 complaints. The high-pressure hose deteriorates prematurely due to sustained heat exposure, causing fluid to leak onto the catalytic converter and exhaust. Owners describe smoke, burning smell, and in several cases, engine fires while parked or driving. The replacement hose installed during recall work includes heat shielding; the original does not—a telling design difference.
Owners also report premature failure of the power steering pump, rack, and reservoir. One mechanic noted that seals in the rack cannot withstand the sustained high temperatures, causing rubber to warp and fail over time. Steering becomes stiff, requiring excessive force to turn, particularly at low speeds and during turns.
Critically, many owners report losing power steering assist completely while driving—a sudden loss at highway speeds. One owner's steering wheel locked up during acceleration after an electrical cascade failure. Others experienced fire while parked, hearing an explosive sound before flames emerged.
A major complaint: many VINs fall outside the recall range despite owners experiencing identical symptoms. Acura has denied warranty assistance, stating the VIN is not included even when the failure matches the recall description exactly. Type-S models are excluded entirely despite needing the same heat-shielded hose replacement. Repair costs range from $1,200 to $3,489 depending on dealer.
Same Acura TL steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
High-pressure and low-pressure steering hoses fail prematurely due to heat exposure, causing fluid to spray onto the catalytic converter and exhaust, creating smoke and fire hazard. Owners report the same symptoms across multiple vehicles; some who received recall repair notice the replacement hose included heat shielding that the original lacked.
When: 40,000 to 199,000 miles; failures reported as early as 40K and as late as 199K
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leak visible under hood; Smoke or burning smell from engine compartment; Power steering fluid spraying onto catalytic converter; Burnt oil or fuel odor while driving; Vehicle fire in some cases
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering), NHTSA Campaign 08V091000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement hoses (high-pressure and low-pressure); original estimated at $3,489 at one dealer, $1,200 at others; Acura applied 50% discount in one case; one owner self-repaired with aftermarket hose that included heat shielding
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Power Steering Fluid Leak); NHTSA Campaign 08V091000 (Power Steering Hose); Type-S models reportedly received heat-shielded hose as factory option but are excluded from recall coverage despite experiencing identical failures; Acura denied coverage in multiple cases citing VIN not in recall range despite owner having same symptoms
Power steering pump fails, often after multiple replacements due to faulty hoses that destroy the pump by circulating degraded fluid or causing cavitation. One owner replaced pump multiple times before identifying the root cause as the hose.
When: 199,000 miles (one documented case); likely cascading failure from fluid loss or contamination
Symptoms owners cite: Whining or knocking sound from steering column during turns; Power steering fluid leak; Loss of power steering assist
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement; one owner had pump replaced multiple times before root cause (failed hose) was identified
Steering rack and fluid reservoir leak fluid, requiring replacement. Owners cite faulty seals that cannot withstand sustained high power steering fluid temperatures, causing rubber to warp and deform over time, breaking the seal.
When: Mileage varies; one case at 176,930 miles; another diagnosed at 164,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid reservoir requires frequent refilling; Steering rack leaking fluid; Difficulty steering vehicle
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and reservoir replacement; estimated $2,299 at one dealer for both components
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000; Acura corporate response was to contact local service station for repairs as issues arise
Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn, requiring excessive force to maneuver. Occurs at low speeds and during turns. One owner reported physical strain from years of complaint to dealership.
When: 15 mph to 30 mph operating speeds; one case reported 1.5 years of recurring stiffness; 40,000 to 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff and difficult to turn; Excessive force required to steer; Problem occurs during turns and at low speeds; Physical strain from steering effort
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering fluid and hose replacement in one case; dealership repeatedly claimed car was 'fine' in another despite ongoing complaints
Power steering fails completely during driving, leaving steering wheel locked or extremely heavy. In one documented case, steering wheel snapped to one side due to ball joint failure (separate suspension recall), compounded by loss of steering control; in another, steering locked up after electrical cascade failure.
When: 30 mph on curved road (ball joint case); 60 mph on highway during acceleration (electrical cascade case); 176,930 miles (fire case with stiff steering preceding it)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff and unresponsive; Sudden loss of all power steering function; Steering wheel locks up; No warning lights or lights appear after failure occurs; Loss of steering control at speed
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in totaled suspension and brake line damage from curb strike due to loss of control; another case involved overheating after owner attempted to drive home without power steering
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) system fails and VSA Modulator Control light illuminates on instrument panel; system shutdown triggers cascading electrical failures including locking mechanisms and seat belt operation. One case involved complete electrical shutdown at 60 mph on highway including engine shutdown and steering wheel lockup.
When: 164,000 miles (VSA case); 60 mph on highway after routine driving (electrical cascade case)
Symptoms owners cite: VSA Modulator Control light illuminates; VSA system fails; Locking mechanisms fail to operate; Seat belts fail to operate; Engine shuts down while driving; Multiple warning lights flash (VSA, engine, oil, ABS, battery); Car 'dinging' as if door is open
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering), NHTSA Campaign 08V091000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Unrepaired; dealer confirmed VIN not included in recalls despite experiencing failure symptoms
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 and 08V091000; Manufacturer and dealer confirmed VIN not included in recall despite owner experiencing identical symptoms; Acura customer service rejected financial assistance claim
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
2008 Acura tl. Consumer writes in regards to power steering feed hose leak recall repairs. *smd the consumer is seeking reimbursement for the repair he paid for. *jb
February 2020 going downhill at 30mph on a curved road, and my wheel snaps to the right thanks to recalled ball joints!!!!!!!!! Hit the curb, snapped my rotor in half and the brake line. Lower control arm went thru my cradle. Spinning out of control with no steering and no freaking brakes at all. Out of nowhere! Totaled suspension all the way around. Only freakin airbag to go off was the…
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at lower speeds or while making a left or right turn, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. It was unknown whether the vehicle was previously diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
My Acura tl is a type s. They have a recall for the high pressure power steering hose on the tl but not the type s. My high pressure power steering hose is leaking in the same place as all the other tls (verified by numerous Acura forums). It is leaking directly on the exhaust on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Smoke can be smelled at all speeds while driving. This is definitely a…
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 60,547 and 145,000 miles, with the median around 76,589. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,547; a quarter make it past 145,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.