10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,688 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Acura TL body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2004 Acura TL Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #177

Feb 172014

TL 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dashboard has crack from passenger side middle all the way toward driver side. Started about year 10 and got worse over the years. After reading some other complaints here I am also worried airbag deployment could either not trigger or trigger accidentally hurting a passenger in my vehicle. I also took to dealer and was instructed as out of pocket expense even though seems to be manufacture defect.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #176

Dec 082016

TL 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchased my 2004 Acura TL from autoland usa in selden, NY on April 5th, 2016. The vehicle is in great shape. No torn seats, interior issues or any other visible issues at time of purchase. Just about 2 weeks ago, I noticed these cracks forming on my dashboard. I know this to be a manufacturers defect due to the overwhelming complaints on quite a few message and complaint boards and websites. I need to know what will Acura do to fix this issue. This is definitely not a wear and tear issue, because I also have a 1992 Honda Accord in my driveway, that still has a perfectly intact dashboard and the Accord is much older than this Acura. I have attached a few pictures to confirm my claim. Thank you. [xxx] unsatisfied customer information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

problem #175

Oct 312016

TL 6-cyl

  • 141,000 miles
I was reading some other complaints here and this has also happened to my car. The dashboard is totally cracked surrounding the airbag and looks like the airbag will explode any time. I was actually just in an accident and it didn't explode, which makes me even more nervous. It looks horrible and is very expensive to replace. I have talked to several mechanics as well as a vinyl/leather repair place. The repair place won't touch it because it surrounds the airbag and could effect proper function. However, like I said, I was just hit in the front of my car and it didn't explode at all!

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #174

Jul 302015

TL 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Acura TL and in the last months cracks have appeared on the dashboard, directly around the airbag compartment on the passenger side. It is definitely a defect of workmanship and or materials. There is way too much consistency in the positions of the cracks. There are hundreds of posts on social media reporting the same issue. Https://www.facebook.com/acuratldefectivedash/posts/219662424726766 my car has 165K miles, is garage kept, detailed regularly with one owner.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #173

Apr 142015

TL

  • 187,000 miles
I have owned my 2004 since 2011 and since then I have noticed my dash has been cracking more and more have crack lines all over the dash I am not the only Acura TL owner experiencing this issue.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

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problem #172

Jul 112007

TL 6-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
The cracks around passanger side airbag. The air bag light has been on since the first crack appear. The cracks are on all over the dashboard. Some chipping started now. I have taken to the dealer many times and I was told there is no issue but couldn't clear the light. The car is always parked in garage and under canopy at work.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #171

Mar 042015

TL 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Extensive cracking of dashboard cover, including near passenger side airbag which may cause dashboard pieces to become missiles in the event of deployment of this airbag. Acura has of this date not issued a recall or in any way that I know of accepted responsibility for this product issue.

- Arnold, MD, USA

problem #170

Mar 052014

TL 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
A small crack developed on the dashboard on left side of the passenger side airbag. Over time, the crack has grown and another crack has developed on the right side along the passenger side airbag. Both cracks are of equal length running from the top of the dashboard down past the airbag. Now there are more than 6 cracks on the entire dashboard and they are progressing in all directions everyday. Rapid progression of these cracks (specially the ones around the passenger side air bag area) makes me very uncomfortable driving around this car. If the dashboard is not replaced immediately, this air bag could deploy pre maturely and cause serious harm and/or injury and/or death of my family member. This definitely looks like a recall issue and Acura/dealer needs to pay for the part to be fixed and/or replaced.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #169

Jan 012012

TL

  • 25,000 miles
The dashboard is spiderwebbing with cracks, especially around the passenger side airbag.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #168

Feb 232015

TL

  • 126,500 miles
I am the 2nd owner of a 2004 Acura TL that I purchased in October of 2007. It has been a great vehicle with the exception of a recent defect issue. The dashboard has cracked multiple times directly over the passenger side airbag as well as over the instrument panel. It appears this is a common defect reported by several other owners of this year, make, and model of vehicle. I'm afraid the cracks may cause inadvertent airbag deployment which would be extremely dangerous to myself or any other occupant that may be in my car. I strongly believe Acura needs to step up and handle this safety issue.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #167

Oct 012014

TL 6-cyl

  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a certified used 2004 Acura TL in 2011. The car was in awesome shape. Then in Oct. 2014, I noticed two cracks running from the windshield almost to the glove box. It appeared to outline the airbag on the passenger side. Hairline cracks in the first couple of weeks. Then a cold spell hit and the cracks became much larger. Now a crack is running across the airbag area. I am very concerned about safety due to the airbag being compromised by a cracked dash. I took it to the dealer where I have purchased 3 Acura TL's for my family. They told me that it was a very well known problem but there was no recall on this issue. They suggested using leather conditioner to soften the dash in hopes of stopping the spread of the cracks. They blamed it on armer all type product usage on the dash. They even gave me a leather conditioner kit to apply. Now, I have researched the thousands of other complaints about Acura TL dashboard/airbag issues with cracked dashboards in 2004-2008 models. Safety is being compromised while Acura/Honda refuses to take responsibility. I have never seen a dashboard crack like this in the 40 years of car ownership! it screens defect and must be recalled.

- Nashville , TN, USA

problem #166

Mar 192014

TL

  • 115,000 miles
In March of last year a crack in the dashboard running parallel to the driver side airbag appeared and extended from the windshield to the to glove compartment. In the intervening months, several more cracks near the airbag have appeared and the SRS warning light is on whenever the ignition is live. Given the recent publicity regarding airbags, and the many similar complaints I have read from other owners of 2004 Acura TL's, I am increasingly concerned that this defect is both widespread and dangerous. Since Acura is aware of the hazard these significant failures present, and to date has taken no action to correct them, I believe the NHTSA must act to compel Acura to recall and repair the affected vehicles.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #165

Sep 012013

TL 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
I noticed a small crack over my passenger airbag area over a year ago. That small crack has now grown to a much larger crack, in size and depth. Several cracks now all over dashboard. The ones over passenger airbag concern me due to its location. I have read that it has caused the airbag light to turn on. I have contacted Acura to possibly replace it but because my warranty has expired, they refused.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #164

Jan 012013

TL

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that the passenger side dashboard began to deteriorate around the air bag. In addition, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- North Chesterfield , VA, USA

problem #163

Jan 022015

TL

  • 43,000 miles
In the last 10 days, the SRS dash light came on without a known incident. Researching online Acura information, many areas refers to cracking of the dashboard as a possible reason for the SRS light to stay on. Upon investigation, there is a 15 inch crack on the passenger side, going down the right side of the airbag placement. Reports say cracks will continue, Acura knows of the issue however will not recall or correct the issue. For the numerous reported issues of cracking dashboards, Acura should take the corrective action needed. This has been my best purchase to date and have unquestionable faith in the car. With the multitude of complaints about this same issue, how can it be ignored? before this, I would not consider purchasing anything other than another Acura however a $36K vehicle should not have a known repetitive issue thru several years of models. I called Acura client relations in the us ((800) 382-2238) and had them open a case number for my issue. Not sure if it will do anything however it can not hurt. Only 43K on the car, immaculate 2004. Normally stored during the winter. Dealer maintained.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #162

Jan 022015

TL

  • 43,000 miles
In the last 10 days, the SRS dash light came on without a known incident. Researching online Acura information, many areas refers to cracking of the dashboard as a possible reason for the SRS light to stay on. Upon investigation, there is a 15 inch crack on the passenger side, going down the right side of the airbag placement. Reports say cracks will continue, Acura knows of the issue however will not recall or correct the issue. For the numerous reported issues of cracking dashboards, Acura should take the corrective action needed. This has been my best purchase to date and have unquestionable faith in the car. With the multitude of complaints about this same issue, how can it be ignored? before this, I would not consider purchasing anything other than another Acura however a $36K vehicle should not have a known repetitive issue thru several years of models. I called Acura client relations in the us ((800) 382-2238) and had them open a case number for my issue. Not sure if it will do anything however it can not hurt. Only 43K on the car, immaculate 2004. Normally stored during the winter.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #161

Jan 022015

TL

  • 43,000 miles
In the last 10 days, the SRS dash light came on without a known incident. Researching online Acura information, many areas refers to cracking of the dashboard as a possible reason for the SRS light to stay on. Upon investigation, there is a 15 inch crack on the passenger side, going down the right side of the airbag placement. Reports say cracks will continue, Acura knows of the issue however will not recall or correct the issue. For the numerous reported issues of cracking dashboards, Acura should take the corrective action needed. This has been my best purchase to date and have unquestionable faith in the car. With the multitude of complaints about this same issue, how can it be ignored? before this, I would not consider purchasing anything other than another Acura however a $36K vehicle should not have a known repetitive issue thru several years of models. I called Acura client relations in the us ((800) 382-2238) and had them open a case number for my issue. Not sure if it will do anything however it can not hurt. Only 43K on the car, immaculate 2004. Normally stored during the winter. Dealer maintained.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #160

Oct 172013

TL

  • miles
I have the same problem that every 04 Acura TL has. The dashboard has been cracking on me and my airbag indicator light stays on. I have contacted Acura about the problem and they told me to take it into a dealer so they could look at it and send a report. I have not heard from anyone about fixing the problem let alone, hear from anyone at all. Acura should take care of this problem before someone gets seriously injured from a premature airbag deployment because of the cracked weak dashboard. The manufacturer should not wait for some thing serious like a death to happen from the problem just to fix it. The problem should be taken care of now. We the consumers want action and satisfaction with this problem. I hope Acura comes to their senses and fixes this problem immediately. Goodnight!!

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #159

Nov 022009

TL 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
The problem started with one split line on the left middle side of my dashboard. I thought nothing of it, because it looked like part of the unit. However, as time went by, more splits occurred in similar areas and is still continuing to spread across the whole dash. It has gotten progressively worse and when I contacted the dealer, because of the expired warranty, they want me to shell out over $300 for repairs. I have gone to other websites where consumers with my car had similar issues with their dashboard. I believe this to be a defect in the plastic which appears over time. My vehicle is garage kept and the dash is covered when parked in the sun. Although, this is not a serious priority, Acura should readdress the issue in good faith with it's customers. I know there must be many more consumers out there with the same problem. As a matter of fact, my neighbor has the same car and told me he has also acquired splits on his dashboard.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #158

Aug 222014

TL

  • miles
Purchased 2004 Acura TL in late August 2014. Initially thought the markings on the passenger side of the dashboard were as designed due to the uniform appearance. Turns out, there are multiple cracks in the dash going in different directions. Cracks are at least 10 inches and there are several. I am very concerned about the airbag deploying. This is our third Acura and we have never seen this before. Looking at this board, I see multiple complaints regarding TL dashboard cracking. Hope Acura will evaluate this issue and determine whether or not there is any danger to front seat passengers.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

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