A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Acura TL you are looking at. Then check its model year against 25 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.
VIN prefix19UJH4
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Acura TL
About the Acura TL
Acura sold the TL in the US for model years 1996–2014, across four generations. Gen 1 first (1996–1998), then Gen 2 (1999–2003). The Gen 3 arrived for 2004–2008, and the Gen 4 took over for 2009–2014. Across those years NHTSA lists 25 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,117 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 3. Its 2004 and 2005 model years alone account for 939 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and structure and body after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 19–20 mpg combined, while the Gen 4 gets 20–23 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1996–2014
GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3 · Gen 4
NHTSA recall campaigns25
Owner complaints3,117 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Acura TL generations
Four generations since the 1996 model year. The Gen 3 (2004–2008) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 2 (1999–2003) the most recall campaigns (14).
NHTSA has 25 campaigns on file for TL model years 1996–2014, and the 2002 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2000 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Acura TL owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Between them, the 2004 and 2003 hold 942 of the 3,117 complaints, or 30%. Tap any bar or generation.
3,117NHTSA complaints, 1996–2014
149mention a crash
43mention a fire
122injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 4: 335 complaints · most for the 2012 (130)
1996···2000····2005····2010····
Top complaint areas · Gen 4
Mentions in 335 complaints, 2009–2014.
Air bags136
Steering58
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)48
Engine and cooling30
Electrical system22
Structure and body18
Crashes 14Fires 3Injuries 12
2009–2014 (Gen 4)
NHTSA data summary
The 2012 stands out. On its own it has 130 of the ’s 335 complaints (39%), and owners across the generation name air bags most often (136 mentions), then steering (58).
Top complaint areas · Gen 3
Mentions in 1,434 complaints, 2004–2008.
Air bags504
Structure and body492
Steering131
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)129
Electrical system110
Tires71
Crashes 34Fires 23Injuries 37
2004–2008 (Gen 3)
NHTSA data summary
Of all TL complaints, 46% are for the . Complaints peak with the 2004, its first model year, at 551 of 1,434. Owners across the generation name air bags most often (504 mentions), then structure and body (492).
Top complaint areas · Gen 2
Mentions in 1,279 complaints, 1999–2003.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)735
Air bags189
Electrical system118
Speed control / acceleration71
Engine and cooling59
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)53
Crashes 92Fires 15Injuries 64
1999–2003 (Gen 2)
NHTSA data summary
Powertrain owns this generation. Its 735 mentions are more than twice the next area, air bags (189). Complaints peak with the 2003 (391 of 1,279).
Top complaint areas · Gen 1
Mentions in 69 complaints, 1996–1998.
Engine and cooling14
Electrical system13
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)9
Brakes8
Air bags6
Speed control / acceleration6
Crashes 9Fires 2Injuries 9
1996–1998 (Gen 1)
NHTSA data summary
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the ’s, at 9 of 69 (13.0%, against 4.8% across all TL model years). Complaints peak with the 1996, its first model year, at 26 of 69. By area, nothing stands out. Engine and cooling leads with 14, with the electrical system (13) and the powertrain (9) close behind. Fires come up in 2 complaints, or 2.9% against 1.4% for all TL model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.
What TL owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2009–2014 (4th generation)
The 2012 draws the most complaints. NHTSA owners of the 2012 most often mention the driver air bag inflator recall and electric power steering that fails and stiffens while driving. CarComplaints lists cracking paint, oil consumption and rough shifting for 2009, oil consumption, defective brake rotors and an air bag light for 2010, and power steering failure and stalling with hesitation for 2012. Acura replaced the TL with the TLX for 2015. Recalls cover driver air bag inflators on 2009–2014 models that may rupture. [1][2][3][4]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the driver air bag inflator recall was completed.
Check the oil level for signs of consumption and ask about power steering repairs.
On the drive, watch for steering warnings or a sudden heavy wheel, feel for rough shifts and pulsing brakes, and look over the paint for cracking.
EPA lists 40 TL versions for model years 1996–2014. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 385 g/mi (2014). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
Gen 11996–1998
19–20 mpg · CO₂ 444–468 g/mi
Gen 21999–2003
20–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–444 g/mi
Gen 32004–2008
20–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–444 g/mi
Gen 42009–2014
20–23 mpg · CO₂ 385–444 g/mi
2014
23combined MPG
385CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,550EPA yearly fuel cost
5–6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
Bin 5 · LEV-II ULEVEmission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2014: TL 2WD · Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L — 23 MPG · 385 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
TL vs Lexus ES vs BMW 3 Series
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2009–2014. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the TL, against 7 for the Lexus ES and 26 for the BMW 3 Series. Pick a range to compare.
Acura TLGen 2
Model years 1999–2003
NHTSA recall campaigns
14
NHTSA owner complaints
1,279
EPA combined mpg
20–21
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.2 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 735
Air bags 189
Electrical system 118
Lexus ES
Model years 1999–2003
NHTSA recall campaigns
2
NHTSA owner complaints
447
EPA combined mpg
19–21
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Speed control / acceleration 132
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 114
Engine and cooling 61
BMW 3 Series
Model years 1999–2003
NHTSA recall campaigns
22
NHTSA owner complaints
2,371
EPA combined mpg
18–24
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.9 L · 6-cyl 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 694
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 478
Exterior lighting 267
Acura TLGen 3
Model years 2004–2008
NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
1,434
EPA combined mpg
20–21
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.2, 3.5 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 504
Structure and body 492
Steering 131
Lexus ES
Model years 2004–2008
NHTSA recall campaigns
6
NHTSA owner complaints
1,456
EPA combined mpg
21–22
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.3, 3.5 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 579
Speed control / acceleration 320
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 184
BMW 3 Series
Model years 2004–2008
NHTSA recall campaigns
17
NHTSA owner complaints
3,755
EPA combined mpg
19–22
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 2.5, 3.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 1,466
Electrical system 776
Engine and cooling 607
Acura TLGen 4
Model years 2009–2014
NHTSA recall campaigns
3
NHTSA owner complaints
335
EPA combined mpg
20–23
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5, 3.7 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 136
Steering 58
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 48
Lexus ES
Model years 2009–2014
NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
787
EPA combined mpg
22–40
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed
hybrid
Drive (EPA)
FWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 527
Speed control / acceleration 57
Electrical system 51
BMW 3 Series
Model years 2009–2014
NHTSA recall campaigns
26
NHTSA owner complaints
2,526
EPA combined mpg
19–36
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 1,104
Air bags 570
Electrical system 549
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Acura TL VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a TL
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Discontinued after 2014, the TL's VIN appears on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's windshield, the door jamb sticker, and a trunk lid label near the latch. The Gen 4 generation starts with the 2009 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (9 for 2009) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Acura TL VIN questions
Which Acura TL model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2004 leads with 551, ahead of the 2003 (391) and 2005 (388). Those first two alone make up 30% of the 3,117 TL complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Acura TL had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 25 vehicle campaigns for model years 1996–2014, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 14. Then come the Gen 3 (9), Gen 4 (3) and Gen 1 (2), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Acura TL recalls are high risk?
20V-026, 20V-027, 15V-320 and 16V-061 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-182, 19V-499 and 19V-500 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 08V-091 and 12V-222. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which TL generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1996–1998 and the Gen 2 1999–2003. Gen 3 spans 2004–2008, Gen 4 2009–2014. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (9 is 2009).
What fuel economy does the Acura TL get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2009–2014 Gen 4 at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 19–20 mpg for the 1996–1998 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Acura TL compare with the Lexus ES and BMW 3 Series on recalls?
For 2009–2014 models the TL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Lexus ES has 7, the BMW 3 Series 26. Complaints run 335, 787 and 2,526 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Acura TL have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2014 TL 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and 4WD, get that score.
