1996 Acura TL Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,100miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Acura TL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1996 Acura TL. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,100 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes5 19%
- Engine cooling4 15%
- Air bags3 12%
- Suspension3 12%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Engine1 3.9%
- Equipment1 3.9%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10154565, filed 2006-04, 114,000 milesEngine cooling: “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 crack this early in the life of the car. What is even worse, is it is known problem and the manufacturer is doing nothing about it. The manifold is the same as that from the old Acura vigor's. I would think the manufacturer would have fixed the problem by now. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000110, filed 2002-12, 59,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 continued to roll down hill. Then I engaged the parking brake, (I never use the parking brake due to an unfortunate happening in the past with a different vehicle). …”
NHTSA complaint #10637525, filed 2014-09, 197,000 milesAir bags: “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 explosion as the airbags deployed, darkness, an awful smell, smoke, I could not see, I lost control of the car as the car veered across the street to on- coming traffic. I thought I had died, but as the car stopped in the grass, I felt the brakes and realized I had not died. …”
NHTSA complaint #10558754, filed 2014-01, 150,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
27% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Acura TL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V227000Aug 19, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
- 99V069000May 10, 1999Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1998, Honda Prelude 1996–1998 +4 more
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.
Recall details for the 1996 Acura TL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10193392Jan 1, 2017Equipment. Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10211608Mar 18, 2016Equipment. Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10037486Nov 1, 2010Tires. 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…
- 10013825Sep 4, 2004Vehicle speed control, Engine cooling. Dtc p0441( incorrect purge flow) after engine or throttle body replacement.
- 10014092Aug 16, 2004Engine cooling. Dtc (diagnostic trouble code) p1457 (evap leak at canister)
- 10012910Feb 1, 2004Air bags. Airbag on off switch.
Other model years of the Acura TL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17 | 36,000 | 3 | 4 | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 62 | 69,503 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 130 | 55,000 | 3 | 3–4 | 23 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 20 | 89,500 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 64 | 62,830 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 42 | 60,038 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 124 | 76,589 | 2 | — | 21 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 124 | 79,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 247 | 88,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 388 | 91,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 551 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 391 | 75,900 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 333 | 64,500 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 149 | 81,936 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 249 | 110,400 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 157 | 112,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 20 | 77,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 23 | 86,260 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 26 | 68,100 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Acura TL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Acura TL have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1996 Acura TL as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Acura TL is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1996 Acura TL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Acura TL reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,100 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 150,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.