1996 ACURA TL

2 recalls, 33 complaints - 24 TSBs

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

96,518 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

124,875 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Complaint Statistics

33 total complaints 8 crashes 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM	1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK	1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	1

Incident date: Apr 14, 2020

YEA THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2019 @185K MILES AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AROUND APRIL 2020 @ 250K MILES MY , THIS MONTH AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR YOU COULD SAY , MY CAR OVER HEATED AND THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICITY SENSORS AND SUCH STOPPED WORKING WHICH CAUSES ALL MY LIGHTS TO COME O... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Apr 14, 2020

Crash

Incident date: Apr 14, 2020

Crash

Incident date: Aug 2, 2014

I WAS HEADED UP A HILL WHEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO LET AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE PASS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REENTER TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, SOME GRINDING NOISE, AND A JOLT AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. I WAS STARTLED WHEN I IMMEDIATELY PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT IT ... Read more

Incident date: May 11, 2013

MAY 2013, ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, AT 8:55PM. MOTORIST TRAVELING TOWARDS ME SPEEDING WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. MOTORIST MADE CONTACT WITH MY CAR ON PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND DOOR. MOTORIST HIT AND RAN AND LATER TOLD POLICE SHE THOUGHT SHE HIT AN OBJECT. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIO... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 11, 2013

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 11, 2013

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 24, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A DEAD BATTERY. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILE... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1901

1996 ACURA SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK AND AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT**CC THE CONSUMERS WIFE HIT A TREE AND CONSEQUENTLY HER HEAD WENT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 1901

1996 ACURA SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK AND AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT**CC THE CONSUMERS WIFE HIT A TREE AND CONSEQUENTLY HER HEAD WENT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Apr 3, 2006

GOT ESTIMATE FROM DEALER FOR 2600.00 DOLLARS FOR MECHANICAL REPAIR ON A FREE 41 POINT INSPECTION. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP AND HAD REPAIRED FOR 119.00 DOLLARS. *NM

Incident date: Sep 26, 2005

2. *NM

Incident date: Sep 20, 1999

THE PROBLEM IS: AT CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF RPM AND SPEED, THE ENGINE LABORS. IT CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS, WHICH CONTINUE UNTIL EITHER THE SPEED OR RPM IS CHANGED. IT IS NOT RELATED TO TRAVELING UP OR DOWN AN INCLINE. TAKEN TO ACURA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPR... Read more

Incident date: May 21, 2005

1996 ACURA TL WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE.*MR THE WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS WIPER FAILURE RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. *NM

Incident date: Jun 21, 2004

OUR 1996 ACURA 3.2 TL HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. ABS LIGHT CAME KEPT COMING ON. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED, WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL ACURA DEALER, JERRY DAMSON HONDA/ACURA AND WAS CHECKED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT., THE ABS MODULATOR WOULD NEED TO... Read more

Incident date: Jun 16, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND COOLANT SPILLED INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK

Incident date: Nov 19, 2003

THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO ACURA: HAVE A 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL THAT WAS PURCHASED AT RADLEY ACURA. MY VIN # [XXX]. I NOW KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND SAW THAT AN ACURA 2.5 TL VIN # [XXX] COLLAPSED DUE TO THE LOWER JOINT BREAKING ON MAY 22, 2003. I HAD TO REPLACE MY LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT OF... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 1999

I PURCHASED AN 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL IN OCTOBER OF 1998 AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OF ANY KIND FOR THIS VEHICLE. MY ADDRESS HAS BEEN THE SAME FOR THE LAST 9 1/2 YEARS. THE ONLY PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT HAS CHANGED IS MY LAST NAME, FROM WASHINGTON TO GORDON WHICH CHANGED JULY 13, 2002. ... Read more

Incident date: May 22, 2003

I OWN A 1996 ACURA 2.5TL. A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING MY PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKING. I CONDUCTED RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THAT PART ,AND IN FACT THERE WAS. THE PROBLEM IM FACING IS THAT IT ONLY COVERED CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN VI... Read more

Incident date: Jun 19, 2002

THERE IS A LOUD GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGING COMPARTMENT OF MY 1996 ACURA 2.5 TL. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IT IS A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND HE HAS SEEN IT MANY TIMES BEFORE. HOWEVER, THEY STILL DID NOT OFFER TO SUBSIDIZE THE REPAIR IN ANY WAY. I WOULD THINK THAT AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD NOT C... Read more

THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER 35 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE DEALER NEVER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER MADE THAT DETERMINATION BASED ON OUR DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS: AT CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF RPM AND ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTDOWN, AND LOST CONTROL.*AK

Incident date: Aug 8, 1999

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO IMPACT, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER *AK

Incident date: May 15, 1998

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE DEFECTS. EVERY EIGHT MONTH OR LESS CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE BRAKE REPAIRS DONE. EVERY REPAIR WORK WAS DONE BY THE DEALER AT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

Incident date: Feb 1, 1996

WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1996

RADIO/CD PLAYER FAILED.

Incident date: Jun 1, 1996

REAR BUMPER IS LOOSE. QCAW

IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO BUZZING NOISE.

DRIVE LINE WHINES UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION.

Incident date: Apr 21, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 1996

REAR BRAKE PADS WORN.

Incident date: Oct 1, 1996

TRUNK LOCK INOPERATIVE.

Incident date: Dec 27, 1996

REAR BRAKES FAILED.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 ACURA TL

24 manufacturer communications from 20 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
140000 AIR BAGS	2
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	2
116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	1
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
023000 SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE	1

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Sending vehicle data to tech line.

350000 EQUIPMENT

Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.

199000 TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERI

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DTC P0441( INCORRECT PURGE FLOW) AFTER ENGINE OR THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. *NM

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DTC P0441( INCORRECT PURGE FLOW) AFTER ENGINE OR THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. *NM

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) P1457 (EVAP LEAK AT CANISTER) *SC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DON'T TEST-DRIVE WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR D INDICATOR ON. ACURA. SERVICENEWS. APRIL 2004. *TT

140000 AIR BAGS

AIRBAG ON OFF SWITCH. *EH

145000 AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH APPLICATION CHART. ACURA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) COMPRESSOR CONTROL LOGIC. ACURA SERVICE NEWS. *TT

141100 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

INTERMITTENT SRA DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 1-1 TO 1-5, DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR CIRCUIT. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR CONTROL LOGIC. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CLEARING ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

020000 SUSPENSION

SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION SQUEAKS IN COLD WEATHER. *TT

021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT

SUBJECT REGARDING A SQUEAL NOISE AT FRONT SUSPENSION AT LOW TEMPERATURE. *TT

116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

INFORMATION ON TROUBLESHOOTING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1705, P1768, P0753, P0758. *TT

140000 AIR BAGS

SUBJECT REGARDING SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 5-1 THROUGH 8-3, INTERNAL SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM UNIT FAILURE. *YD

023000 SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

EXPERIENCING GROWLING OR WHINING FROM ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS WHEN DRIVING. *TT

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

BRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF 1 - 2 SHIFT. *TT

034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

COMPLAINTS OF BRAKE SQUEAL WHEN YOU LIGHTLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 1-2 COMPLAINTS. *YC

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DRIVER'S FOOTREST IS TOO FAR AWAY. *JD

116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

RADIO INTERFERENCE FROM THE IGNITION COIL(S). *JD

NHTSA Safety Investigations, ACURA TL

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 2002

RUPTURING DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATORS

This RQ investigation was opened to collect and analyze additional information to better evaluate the scope and timeliness of Honda's two safety recalls addressing rupturing of the driver's side air bag inflators (08V-593 and 09V-259).In an earlier response to RMD's request for information, Honda in... dicated that the second recall (09V-259), essentially an expansion of the first (08V-593), was necessary since later information informed that the source of the defect was different than originally postulated, and so the scope of the vehicles affected changed. Honda indicated that it had relied on its supplier of the air bag inflators, Takata, Inc. (Takata), in studying the possible sources of the inflator ruptures and identifying the recall populations.Accordingly, RMD issued a request forinformation to Takata on November 20, 2009, and Takata provided a partial response on December 23, 2009.Takata then provided its complete response on February 19, 2010.Takata informed ODI that, after analysis of several ruptured inflators, Takata and Honda initially attributed the defect to handling of the propellant during inflator assembly that could have yielded increased moisture levels that, when coupled with thermal cycling in automobiles over time, could lead to reduced propellant density and overly aggressive combustion during air bag deployment.However, it discovered upon review of inflators returned from the 08V-593 recall campaign, some of which fell outside the manufacturing range when Takata suspected the propellant was exposed to elevated moisture, that the source of the defect was more likely due to problems with a specific compression press (Stokes press) used to form the inflator's propellant.Specifically, the propellant tablets produced by the press were found to be less dense, and therefore more susceptible to overly aggressive combustion during air bag deployment.Takata identified the manufacturing time frame over which the tablets were shown to have less dense properties as the end of calendar year 2000. Takata informed Honda of its discovery on or about June 12, 2009.Honda made its defect decision and then notified NHTSA of it on June 30, 2009.Honda then supplemented its filing with an identification of the specific vehicles to be included in the campaign, as well as identifying additional models to be included, on July 29, 2009.As with the 08V-593 campaign, Takata examined inflators returned from the 09V-259 campaign, and some of which were manufactured outside of the range when the Stokes press was found to have produced less dense propellant (beyond the end of February 2001).It provided those findings to Honda and Honda decided to expand safety recall 09V-259 to include all vehicles with inflators containing propellant manufactured using the Stokes press.Honda notified NHTSA of its decision on February 9, 2010.Based upon all available information, there is insufficient information to suggest that Honda failed to make timely defect decisions on information it was provided.Also, given that all inflators with propellant manufactured using the Stokes press have been recalled, there are no additional vehicles to be investigated and campaigned.Accordingly, this RQ is closed.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2004

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RELATED RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES.THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 129,600 SUBJECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2003 AND MAY 2005.THE ... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS... Read more

ACURA TL - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the ACURA TL across all model years (1996, 2014).

76 Total Recalls

4,053 Total Complaints

3 Investigations

219 Reported Crashes

57 Reported Fires

8 Reported Deaths

ACURA TL - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2014	3	17	View
2013	3	74	View
2012	3	162	View
2011	3	23	View
2010	3	75	View
2009	3	51	View
2008	4	181	View
2007	4	167	View
2006	6	345	View
2005	7	551	View
2004	6	766	View
2003	5	466	View
2002	7	403	View
2001	3	163	View
2000	6	325	View
1999	4	197	View
1998	2	22	View
1997	2	29	View
1996 (current)	2	33
1995	0	3	View

Other ACURA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
MDX	510	4,287	View
TLX	340	1,306	View
RDX	335	2,540	View
ILX	275	337	View
RLX	187	163	View
NSX	161	20	View
INTEGRA	132	758	View
TLX TYPE S	120	2	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1996 ACURA TL

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 ACURA TL

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, ACURA TL

ACURA TL - All Years Overview

ACURA TL - Year by Year

Other ACURA Models