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2008
Used 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Acura TL

EPA MPG: 23 mpg
RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
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Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2008 TL is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

The 2008 Acura TL has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2008 Potential Trouble Spots

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2008 Acura TL owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Backup or other camera/sensors

"Screen / system stopped working"

Anonymous A., CA (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
Display screen goes blank

"Screen / system stopped working"

Anonymous A., CA (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"Hasnt worked since I bought the car 3yrs ago. Not worth trying to repair for me on a 16yr old car."

Anonymous A., NC (2008 Acura TL Base 3.5-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"When rear view mirror fell off and was replaced, the Bluetooth always remained in and drained the battery. Needed to remove the fuse to keep this from happening."

Anonymous, KS (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)

"Bluetooth does not operate. Its a common part failure in this model. Cost around $300 to replace the part myself."

Anonymous A., NC (2008 Acura TL Base 3.5-L V6)
Load more

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

What Owners Say

Locks and latches

"My trunk springs exploded. It was a very loud bang. Fortunately no one was hurt. Another issue with locks and latches was that the actuator for one of the back doors intermittently fails, and there's an easy work around just manually using the lock knob/pin. These are my two least significant issues with the car right now. I am quickly shopping for a new car and will likely trade this in or sell it within a week or two. Repairs are just too frequent and expensive given that I drive the car very few miles per year."

Anonymous A., AZ (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
Mirrors

"The right side mirror would angle down automatically when shifting to reverse. This no longer functions."

Anonymous, CA (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
Other body problem

"Driver seat and side mirror position memory is paired with the key. The position memory no longer functions."

Anonymous, CA (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

12V battery

"This model of Acura has a tendency to drain the battery if it is not driven every day. I have removed the Hands Free Link module which is generally the worst offender. Replacement of the HFL module is cost prohibitive. Acura should have replaced these free of charge because they have a known defect."

Anonymous, TX (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
Headlights

"Failure of HID headlights. Likely dealer cost to repair would have been $1000 or more. Repair is complicated because you need to remove the front bumper to get to the headlights. Did the repair myself after reading the factory service manual. Replaced Ballasts and bulbs with aftermarket parts."

Anonymous, TX (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)
Other electrical system problem

""Hands free phone unit overheated & failed. Had to be removed, could not find the replacement part.""

Anonymous, GA (2008 Acura TL Type-S 3.5-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Catalytic converter

"pre-cat needs to be replaced"

Anonymous, CA (2008 Acura TL Type-S 3.5-L V6)
Other/unsure

"Not sure what the problem is. It just happened and is currently in being assessed."

Anonymous, ON (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Black trim piece between front and back doors and along top of door fading/chalking badly."

Anonymous, CA (2008 Acura TL Base 3.5-L V6)
Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"Some paint on the top of the doors is fading"

Anonymous, DE (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Other major transmission & clutch problem

"Rupture of the hydraulic cylinder on the clutch"

Anonymous, GA (2008 Acura TL Type-S 3.5-L V6)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Wheel bearings

"This issue makes the car very loud to drive, and my understanding is that I should not drive the car very much longer since this can cause other issues with the car. There are a few other repairs related to this after they finish that work they would have to do an alignment on the car. Knees repairs are expensive. The car served me well for 17 years, but it is time to move on."

Anonymous A., AZ (2008 Acura TL Base 3.2-L V6)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

2008 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Acura vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

See How Other Brands Stack up
Reliability History
* Redesign year
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Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Recalls
PROVIDED BY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 10, 2019
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
What should you do:
Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 19E068000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3744
Hide Recall Details
STEERING
May 17, 2012
If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
What should you do:
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
For more information:
Honda's recall campaign number for the original recall is S39.Honda's recall numbers for the additional vehicles are S59 (Inspection) and S60 (Remedy).Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V222000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 625762
Hide Recall Details
SUSPENSION
Jun 22, 2011
MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE.
What should you do:
AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.
For more information:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11E022000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 150
Hide Recall Details
STEERING
Feb 27, 2008
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.
What should you do:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551).
For more information:
ACURA RECALL NO. Q73.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08V091000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 273000
Hide Recall Details
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