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 visibility problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 6 visibility complaints filed for the 2009 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 4 model years of Acura TL we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 6.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 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 visibility 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Because of the reflective material used in the construction of the dash lower dash components on the far left and far right side of the dash, there is a blind spot created by sun glare into the left and right mirrors from the refection off the lower left and right dashboard. The reflection and glare is so strong, it completely eliminates an image in the mirror, when the sun is behind you, low in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Acura tl. The contact discovered that the front windshield contained several cracks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
The lower part of the dashboard, at mid level on the left and right sides next to the vent openings, is finished with a reflective material that causes severe side mirror glare when driving with sunlight coming from the rear. The glare is so bad, that it creates a blind spot in the side view mirror. When this happens, the glare almost completely covers the entire surface of the mirror, making it…
This problem has not created an accident, but it has the potential to cause accidents. The gunmetal trim inserted into the left and right lower sides of the dash create a blinding glare in the rear view mirrors on sunny days. The glare is so bad, it covers nearly all of the surface of the left hand mirror, so when changing lanes from right to left, the driver will miss seeing a car in the left…
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2009 Acura TL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 50,370 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.