Service bulletin - The moonroof will not auto-close or will reverse direction when contacting the wind deflector. The drain channel rods create too much friction when the moonroof is closing, which causes the anti-pinch function to operate and open the moonroof.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Acura TL body problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 4 body complaints filed for the 2009 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
Of the 5 model years of Acura TL we track for body problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 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 body 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.
Service bulletin - The moonroof will not auto-close or will reverse direction when contacting the wind deflector. The drain channel rods create too much friction when the moonroof is closing, which causes the anti-pinch function to operate and open the moonroof.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When performing a routine oil level check, the hood on my Acura tl 2009 unexpectedly dropped suddenly. The hood struts have subsequently been replaced by the dealer (to prevent reoccurrence). The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired under recall. Updated 4/16/2015 *js
I just bought the Acura tl 2009 at 4/23/2013 and with a month driving the car the paint begin cracking ,fading and peeling in the all body part of the car and I look ugly when you look the car from any view no matter if raining or sunny you still see the cracking in the car and getting ugly day by day and the dealer don't want to deal with this matter what I can do with this problem?? *tr
Had body trouble with your 2009 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 body problem on the 2009 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 69,827 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2009/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.