Servicenews article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as recommended in their owner?s manual may find that oil consumption has exceeded their expectations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Acura TL electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Acura TL have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 TL | 18 |
| 2006 TL | 27 |
| 2007 TL | 24 |
| 2008 TL | 13 |
| 2009 TL (this page) | 3 |
| 2012 TL | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 6 model years of Acura TL we track for electrical problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 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.
DEALER MESSAGE - SINCE THE POSTING OF SERVICE BULLETIN 16-033 FOR 09-11 TL SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR LOCK-UP FUNCTION THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP RISE IN CLAIMS FOR TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR COMPARED TO THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR BEFORE THE SB WAS POSTED. SERVICE BULLETIN 16-033 2009-11 TL IS A WARRANTY EXTENSION. SERVICE BULLETIN 16-030 FOR 12 TL IS A PRODUCT UPDATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DEALER MESSAGE - SINCE THE POSTING OF SERVICE BULLETIN 16-033 FOR 09-11 TL SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR LOCK-UP FUNCTION THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP RISE IN CLAIMS FOR TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR COMPARED TO THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR BEFORE THE SB WAS POSTED. SERVICE BULLETIN 16-033 2009-11 TL IS A WARRANTY EXTENSION. SERVICE BULLETIN 16-030 FOR 12 TL IS A PRODUCT UPDATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 2045 MPH. TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE JUDDER TO OCCUR, A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE AT THE CLIENTS REQUEST. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IS AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE FOR 8 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF THE VEHICLES PURCHASE OR 105,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE CAN BE APPLIED TO A VEHICLE AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - THERE IS A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 2045 MPH. TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE JUDDER TO OCCUR, A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE. TO INCREASE CLIENT CONFIDENCE, AMERICAN HONDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN AFFECTED VEHICLES TO 8 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE OR 105,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Audio stops working after 2-4 seconds of starting the car. Speakers pop and no audio.
The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys into a lever and pull the car into the off position on its own while driving on the road. My car has turned off…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 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?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 96,000 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 $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/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.