The Lemon Index
2003
20053rd generation
90 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 BMW 3 Series 532004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2004 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Acura TL
- Airbag light / sensor28 complaintsmostly at 68,000–100,000 miles (110,000–161,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm14 complaintsmostly at 62,000–157,000 miles (99,000–253,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 60,000–166,000 miles (97,000–267,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 551 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Acura TL (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 675 and 29,000 miles (1,100–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 48 complaints, of all 90 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 19V182000 (airbags) and 11E022000 (suspension) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Acura sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Atf (automatic transmission fluid) leaks from cooler line banjo bolt”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 90 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 29K miles (1K to 47K km) on the car (48 of all 90 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2001 Acura tl customer states that he was not happy with the service received and the work was not done correctly*
2004 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10189026
More owner reports
Tire vibration. At about 50 mph, the tires cause the entire car to vibrate. This continues at all highway speeds and does not seem to go away. I have contacted Acura several times and Acura's engineers 'are looking into it'.
NHTSA complaint 10058552
Severe vibration at most speeds, particularly in the 40 - 60 mph range.
NHTSA complaint 10058824
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Atf (automatic transmission fluid) leaks from cooler line banjo bolt
- Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
- Suspension · recall issued 2011
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA A…
Show all 6 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES.
- Visibility · recall issued 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 129,600 MY 2004-2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADIN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedWindshield wiper motor failure2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TL year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2004" title="Acura TL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tl/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Acura TL reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 136; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about half as many complaints as the average car. The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (51%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and suspension (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TL have?
6 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Acura TL get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 675 and 29,000 miles (1,100–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 48 complaints, of all 90 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Acura TL have?
3.2L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works