Acura TL Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 260 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Acura TL across 17 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (58). The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (18% of reports).
- 260electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $710typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 47 of 260 complaints (18%)
- Free link: mentioned in 23 of 260 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Acura TL at $710, and half of them between $470 and $1,100.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 190 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 260 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 5 an injury.
Acura TL electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 TL | 6 | 10% | 5,540 |
| 2012 TL | 11 | 8% | 75,000 |
| 2010 TL | 2 | 3% | 98,000 |
| 2009 TL | 3 | 7% | 96,000 |
| 2008 TL | 15 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2007 TL | 25 | 20% | 74,500 |
| 2006 TL | 31 | 13% | 75,000 |
| 2005 TL | 28 | 7% | 117,000 |
| 2004 TL | 11 | 2% | 73,000 |
| 2003 TL | 15 | 4% | 84,837 |
| 2002 TL | 12 | 4% | 157,672 |
| 2001 TL | 5 | 3% | 145,000 |
| 2000 TL | 25 | 10% | 110,400 |
| 1999 TL | 58 | 37% | 117,316 |
| 1998 TL | 3 | 15% | 98,000 |
| 1997 TL | 8 | 35% | 96,000 |
| 1996 TL | 2 | 8% | 111,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Model years: 2005
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
Risk: If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 1999, 2000
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
Risk: If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 1999
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Risk: If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 1999
Problem: On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Fuse box Power steering hose
As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.
The vehicle has a faulty Hands free link module which runs the battery down when the vehicle is not in use. Acura has been aware of this problem since 2005. The government of this sorry ass country has done nothing about this issue except sit on their hands and accept payoffs from Acura. Acura…
While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Acura TLs have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 260 owner complaints about electrical system for the Acura TL. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Acura TL electrical system?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Acura TL?
Owners report a typical cost of $710 (half paid between $470 and $1,100), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Acura TL?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 47 of 260 complaints, followed by “free link” (23).
Other Acura TL problems
- Power Train problems (904)
- Air Bags problems (826)
- Structure problems (548)
- Steering problems (210)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (117)
- Tires problems (108)
See all Acura TL problems.