2005 Acura TL Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 388 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Acura TL, 2% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,400 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Acura TL has lost power at least a dozen times while I have been driving on the freeway. The battery also completely drains after the car has not been driven for a day or two. I just replaced the battery and have had the alternator tested at least half a dozen times by 3 different mechanics. My issues sound very similar to the fuse box recall but my VIN does not fall under the recall apparently.”
NHTSA complaint #11229903, filed 2019-07, 155,000 miles“In the Acura 3.2 motors, the cylinders have oil release holes that are not smooth which is causing metal shavings to get stuck, shave and damage the cam shafts and cause motor failure. They are causing serious grooves on the outer 2 cam bearings that have the larger release holes. My motor failed due to this. I was driving, car stopped running, I thought my timing slipped. I pulled the motor apart and my cam was seized up after looking into it further. I order a new motor same year, make, model, thinking it was just my motor. I pulled the new motor apart and I found the same issue! …”
NHTSA complaint #10917214, filed 2016-10, 129,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the air bag and engine warning lights were illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10542276, filed 2013-09, 50,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that she had parked her vehicle and went inside a store as her children waited inside the vehicle. Her son then texted her from inside the vehicle that the alarm had gone off. Soon after the alarm went off, her daughter noticed that both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle. Her children exited the vehicle as the front end of the vehicle caught fire. Pedestrians called for the authorities and both the police and fire departments arrived at the scene. The fire was extinguished and an incident report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11495194, filed 2022-11, 200,300 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. While attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the rpms increased, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the filter system in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10817236, filed 2015-12, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10084265Apr 25, 2016Engineering request for investigation of the handsfreelink (hfl) not working or the battery being too low to start the engine.
- 10083835Apr 13, 2016Dealer message - request for parts to investigatethe handsfreelink (hfl) not working or the battery being too low to start the engine.
- 10075668Mar 30, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10055120Mar 12, 2014Acura: the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on, with dtc p2138 (accelerator pedal position sensor a/b incorrect voltage correlation), and have poor performance in engine…
- 10129812Feb 12, 2014Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2004-2008 TLs & TSXs with a complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with the DTC P2138 (Accelerator…
- 10054809Jan 29, 2014Honda: some vehicles may display a malfunction indicator lamp with the stored dtc p2138 (accelerator pedal position sensor a/b incorrect voltage correlation). There may also be…
- 10054478Sep 23, 2013Acura: due to accelerator pedal position sensor a/b incorrect voltage correlation, engine poor performance and malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on with diagnostic trouble code…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 14% |
| 2011 | 3 | 15% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 6 | 1% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Acura TL
156 complaintsAir bags
144 complaintsOther or unknown
66 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTires
20 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Acura TL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology