Here Are The Acura TL Years To Avoid
At some point, the Acura TL was an underrated luxury sedan that offered tremendous value over its German rivals. During its tenure, it was widely regarded as a reliable, fun car despite its conservative styling. However, it has its fair share of problems.
Is the Acura TL worth buying as used?
If you’re considering purchasing a used Acura TL, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we have picked the Acura TL years to avoid and the ones that are safe to buy used.
Which Acura TL Years to Avoid?
Overall, the Acura TL stable has good reliability ratings. However, there’s no denying that some years are worse than others. These are the Acura TL years to avoid buying used:
- 2003 Acura TL
- 2005 Acura TL
- 2006 Acura TL
- 2007 Acura TL
- 2010 Acura TL
2003 Acura TL
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 model is one of the most problematic Acura TL years, with over 400+ NHTSA user complaints. This car’s top three most prominent problems are transmission failure, car shakes during acceleration, and the peeling clear coat.
Many drivers claimed that the transmission failure just happened out of nowhere, many of which occurred while driving on a freeway which can be very dangerous. Many complaints are about shoddy gear shifting and, in some cases, downright failure.
Also, likely transmission-related, some drivers reported that the vehicle would shake or vibrate during acceleration. The peeling clear coat is also widely reported, which is annoying and unsightly.
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2005 Acura TL
With over 500+ NHTSA user complaints as per Car Complaints, the 2005 Acura TL is yet another year to avoid. The top three trouble spots are a cracked dashboard, transmission failure, and faulty in-car entertainment.
Many Acura TL owners complained about the car’s dashboard having noticeable cracks. In some cases, the cracks would go through the airbag area and gauge cluster. This problem is an eyesore and poses a safety issue since the airbag lights would stay on due to the cracks. The most common and expensive solution is to replace the dashboard entirely.
Like the 2003 model, the 2005 TL is also prone to transmission failure. In this case, many drivers complained about hard shifting and annoying rattling noises while gear shifting.
2006 Acura TL
The 2006 model is yet another Acura TL year with questionable reliability. According to Car Complaints, the 2006 Acura TL has over 300 NHTSA complaints, and most of its problems are related to its electrical components.
Most complaints are about the in-car electronics, mainly the CD player and display screen. According to Consumer Reports, owners claimed that the CD player would heat up and damage the discs or fail altogether. The display screen is also a significant trouble spot because it tends to quit working or is difficult to see.
Another area of concern with this Acura TL model is its Bluetooth. Some users reported that the Bluetooth stopped pairing with devices, costing about $700-$800 to repair.
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2007 Acura TL
The 2007 Acura TL is far from a problematic vehicle, but it has some issues worth mentioning. As per Consumer Reports, the 2007 TL has a reliability rating of 2 out of 5, and most of its problems are transmission-related.
Like with the 2006 TL, this year had some problems with electronics. Again, the culprits are the faulty CD player and display screen. A few owners also complained about the brake system, citing the malfunctioning ABS light and premature brake pad wear.
As for the transmission, a few drivers reported that the transmission tends to hesitate. In other complaints, some reports stated that the transmission system went out at low mileage counts (60k+).
2010 Acura TL
Dubbed the worst Acura TL model by Car Complaints, the 2010 version from the last generation lineup is one sedan you should avoid. What made it one of the worst Acura TL years to avoid is its problem with excessive oil consumption.
The engine will sometimes die even after a scheduled oil change. Many technicians said this was a widespread issue with 2009-2010 Acuras. According to many owners, they had to put two to three quarts of oil during oil changes. Owners wanting to fix this issue are expected to pay around $6,550.
In addition, this year’s model also tends to have defective brake rotors. This particular problem has a severity rating of 10, which is fair since this is a severe safety issue.
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Which Acura TL Models are Safe to Buy Used?
Now that you know the Acura TL years to avoid let’s move on to the models you can confidently buy as pre-owned or used.
2004 Acura TL
The third-generation Acura TL was introduced with the 2004 model. Many consider that 2004 was when Acura TL became a contender in the luxury compact sedan market. It’s a popular model known for its solid reliability.
If you’re looking to buy this model, know that it’s also prone to transmission problems - both five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions (to a lesser extent). Also, check for dashboard cracks, rattles, and squeaks while test-driving.
2009 Acura TL
The fourth and final generation Acura TL debuted in the 2009 model. It’s also the first model that adopted the long-awaited SH-AWD system. As per Car Complaints, the 2009 Acura TL deserves the Seal of Awesome with only 60+ complaints under its belt.
As for its problems, two of the most common problems for this vehicle are cracking paint and excessive oil consumption. Since it’s a post-2007 model, its automatic transmission should hold up just fine.
2013 Acura TL
If you’re going to get a new Acura TL, make it this one. It boasts a lively 280 hp V6 engine with spirited handling on both FWD and AWD configurations. According to J.D. Power, the 2013 Acura TL is a very reliable vehicle that scored 86 out of 100 in Quality and Reliability.
There’s not much to look out for in terms of trouble spots. We’ve seen a few body integrity issues surrounding the seals or weather stripping but nothing too major. Lastly, check for paint cracking or peeling before buying.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE ACURA TL
With more than twenty years of TLs on the market, it might seem overwhelming to make the right pick - but we have you covered. Read on to learn about the most reliable Acura TL year available.
Common Acura TL Problems
Although the Acura TL has a good reliability track record, various reliability issues can develop over the years and miles.
- Engine issues: Several TL models have engine woes, but it’s more prevalent with the 2010 model year. According to 2010 TL owners, the engine suffers from excessive oil consumption. When inspected, the engines showed no signs of leaks or blowouts. Owners were forced to top up early on oil.
- Electrical issues: Some 2000 TLs reportedly had odometers that would prematurely fail. While this issue won’t stop you from driving, it can be a headache once you decide to sell the vehicle later. In some cases, 2007 TL owners also complained about battery drain issues.
- Transmission troubles: The first-generation Acura TLs reportedly had a defective automatic transmission, but the biggest culprit was the 2003 model year. Owners reported experiencing symptoms like gear slipping, sticky shifting, jerking, and even transmission failure. The most common fix is to replace the transmission system, which can be expensive.
- Interior accessories issues: The Acura TL boasts a high-quality interior as a luxury model. However, the interior tended to develop unsightly fractures that can ruin the aesthetic and even disable the passenger side airbag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acura TL Reliability
Q: How reliable is the Acura TL?
A: The Acura TL offers solid reliability and longevity. According to RepairPal, it has a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5, with a 6th ranking out of the 31 luxury cars from other brands. It is average in terms of frequency of issues, and most of its issues have low severity ratings. As such, the Acura TL rarely develops major issues over time.
Q: How long does an Acura TL last?
A: With proper maintenance, an Acura TL can easily hit 100,000 miles or more and still drive like it’s fresh from the factory. Some sources even suggest that an Acura should last around 300,000 miles, and may last you about 16-20 years of solid service.
Q: Which Acura TL model years should I avoid?
A: As per our guide above, the 2003 and 2005 model years are considered the worst Acura TLs due to the high number of consumer complaints. Additionally, the 2010 model didn’t receive as many complaints, but it’s considered an instant pass due to its major issues, including the transmission and excessive oil consumption.
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