2007 Acura TL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe cracked dashboards around the passenger airbag, a battery that goes flat when the car sits for a few days, and power steering fluid leaks. Many of the reports come from higher-mileage cars, though the dashboard and battery complaints appear at a wide range of mileages, often without a triggering event.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard around passenger airbag

   • 45 complaints (36%)
   • median 104,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2023

   Complaints describe hairline cracks appearing in the dashboard above the passenger airbag, often while the car was parked, which then spread across the dash over weeks or months. Owners say the cracks expose the airbag area and worry about how the airbag will deploy or that dash pieces could be thrown. Dealers quoted roughly $2,000 or more to replace the dashboard, and some owners said repairs were declined because the car was out of warranty; a few had a dash replaced under warranty and saw cracks return. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 22,000 to over 180,000 miles, with many reports on garaged cars.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard on both sides of the passenger airbag for cracks or repaired areas, especially on cars kept in hot climates, and ask whether the dash has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Initially I observed a airline sized crack on passenger side of the dashboard right on airbag. Slowly it enlarged and now I see another crack around the same area. When I checked online, I found that it's not only me but several others have the same issue with Acura tls. When I went tithe dealership they say the repair cost is about 2,000 usd.”

   NHTSA complaint #10672890, filed 2015-01, 75,000 miles

   “The dash board cracked on my 2007 Acura TL. The cracks are above the steering wheel and around the passenger airbag. Acura said they will not replace this because the car is out of warranty. This is obviously at no fault or abuse and it is clearly a defect that such a new car has this problem. I have read numerous posts online about this same problem and it should be classified as a manufacturer defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10568045, filed 2014-03, 66,500 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery drains when the car sits unused

   • 17 complaints (14%)
   • median 81,250 mi at 8.4 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners report that the battery goes flat after a few days of not driving, sometimes after as little as a couple of hours, and that replacement batteries did not solve it. Several complaints say a mechanic or dealer traced the draw to the HandsFreeLink (Bluetooth) module staying powered with the car off. Some owners had the module replaced at their own cost, others had it disconnected, and some dealers told them no fault was found or that the behavior was normal. Reported from about 8,000 up to roughly 180,000 miles, typically after the car has been parked for two days or more.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the HandsFreeLink module has been repaired or disconnected, and check for a recent battery replacement or a jump-start pack in the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a drain on the battery. We replaced the battery. If the car sits for just an hour or sometimes a few days, it may not start because the battery has drained. We have had to jump it and trickle charge it multiple times. From searching the internet, this is not a new problem for Acura owners. Acura should fix this as so many cars are having the same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10682776, filed 2015-02, 110,000 miles

   “My 2007 accura TL has a battery drain problem. I have a new interstate battery in it. I park it on our driveway and after 3-5 days of it being parked, not driven, the new battery is drained of power and will not start the vehicle. I have to charge the battery. It starts and will continue to start as long as I drive it to re-charge the battery. This occurs very consistently and has for the past year, on and off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11078545, filed 2018-03, 107,745 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering hose leaks fluid

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2017

   Complaints describe a leak from the power steering pressure hose, with fluid running down onto the catalytic converter and engine, a burning smell, smoke from under the hood, and a whining or buzzing noise when turning the wheel. Several owners of Type S cars say the dealer told them the power steering hose recall did not cover their vehicle even though the symptom matched it. Repairs were typically hose replacement; one complaint describes foam or a heat shield on the replacement part. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 145,000 miles, often noticed when fluid was found under the hood or a burning smell appeared.

   Recall 08V091000Recall 12V2220002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering hose recall campaign was performed on this specific car (Type S models are often excluded), look for fluid residue near the hose and converter, and check the fluid level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was at the dealership to get my car service and found out that my power steering hose is leaking which in 2004 -2008 Acura TL recall but since I have 2007 Acura TL type s it is not under recall. Well it seems like my hose deteriorated and got worn out after 63,000 miles and now there is a leak which could potential cause major damage and lead to a fire. Dealer is telling me its not under recall when it happens to be the exact same hose pipe.”

   NHTSA complaint #10438994, filed 2011-12, 63,030 miles

   “I was driving to the store today and as I drive into the lot my steering wheel started making a buzzing, whining sound, I popped the hood to find that the power steering hose was leaking a lot of fluid. After I parked the car the fluid was leaking a lot more and drippun all over the catalytic converter, engine, axles. I've already spent over 250.00 replacing it at firestone before I found out the car has a recall for the exact same issue and part. It is a used car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10689839, filed 2015-02, 130,045 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags deploying without a crash

   • 19 complaints (15%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2023

   A few owners report side curtain and seat airbags deploying after hitting a pothole or bump at road speed, with no impact to the side of the car, and one report describes airbags deploying while driving on the highway without any impact. Complaints mention the deployment being loud, the seatbelt locking, an airbag warning light afterward, and in one case injuries. One owner also reported an airbag warning message on the dash saying the airbag may not deploy. Reported between roughly 98,000 and 145,000 miles, typically triggered by driving over a pothole or bump.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that no airbag warning light is on and ask whether any airbag components have been replaced or whether the airbag warranty extension work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at night on I-90 east in washington state, at 60mph when I hit a very small pothole right the front passenger tire, and it deployed the driver's seat airbag, and the driver's side curtain airbag, and locked the seatbelt tight against me. The airbag malfunctioned and hit me very hard disorienting me and barely allowing me to pull over. The airbag malfunction nearly caused me to total the vehicle while I had a passenger in the car with me. No other airbags were deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10970392, filed 2017-04, 144,500 miles

   “While traveling on a state roadway struck a pothole at about 35-40 MPH. The front passenger side tire hit pot hole however the driver side curtain air bags and seat airbags deployed almost causing me to lose control. I was able to maintain control and pull off highway. The seat belt also locked up. The bags deploying did not cause crash or injury however deployment was very loud and cause ear ringing for 48 hours. I was able to drive vehicle home after making police report. Air bag light is lit up on dash.”

   NHTSA complaint #10694009, filed 2015-03, 98,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   "Tighten fuel cap" warning

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a "Tighten Fuel Cap" message appearing on the dash display even with the cap tight, sometimes repeatedly and without other symptoms. Dealers suggested replacing the gas cap, replacing a valve, or simply ignoring the light, and one owner was quoted about $500 for the repair. Complaints note the message relates to the evaporative emissions system. Reported at low to moderate mileage, from near-new up to about 55,000 miles.

   What to check: With the engine running, confirm no check-engine or fuel cap message is showing, and ask whether the gas cap or evap purge valve has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was parked in driveway; had not been driven for 2 hours. Heard a pounding, hammering noise from inside my house and when I entered the driveway the vehicle's engine was running, although it was a very rough idle. There was a smell of something burning coming from underneath the hood. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10524024, filed 2013-07, 25,900 miles

   “The warning light tighten gas cap comes one every so often with no understanding of why. Have talked to Acura dealer who stated to replace gas cap, ignore it and/or replace valve in motor. When looking on the internet as to why this is happening, I am amazed at the number of owners of 2007 TL's who are having the same problem. It has something to do with emissions. Acura wants $500 to make this light go away. But on the internet threads I have read that some people have had their cars repaired to only have the warning light come back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10523295, filed 2013-07, 55,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the dashboard around the passenger airbag and ask whether the power steering hose recall and any HandsFreeLink repair were done on this particular car. Having a mechanic check for a parasitic battery draw and inspect the steering hose before purchase covers the most common owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.