The Lemon Index
200420063rd generation
40 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 BMW 3 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 522005 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Acura TL
- Airbag light / sensor31 complaintsmostly at 72,000–139,000 miles (116,000–224,000 km)
- Transmission failure8 complaintsmostly at 76,000–120,000 miles (122,000–193,000 km)
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 44,000–117,000 miles (70,000–188,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 3,300 and 34,000 miles (5,200–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 40 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 7 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 71 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting”?
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 40 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 3K to 33K miles (5K to 54K km) on the car (28 of all 40 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
Purchased a 2005 Acura tl a-spec 6-speed manual in 2007. Current mileage is 42,000. Since date of purchase transmission will pop out of 3rd gear several times each week while driving.
2005 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10244935
More owner reports
6 speed manual transmission is synchronized poorly making it difficult to shift into 3rd & 4th gear smoothly and sometimes will pop out of gear when you think you have shifted sufficiently.
NHTSA complaint 10213031
Michelin pilot hx mxm4 tire failure complaint against Acura and michelin tire corporations*
NHTSA complaint 10177515
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting
- 6 speed manual transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- 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 7 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER.
- Electrical · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A LOOSE TERMINAL IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER.
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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Acura TL reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (40%), transmission & drivetrain (28%) and suspension (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Acura TL have?
7 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 2005 Acura TL get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,300 and 34,000 miles (5,200–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 40 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Acura TL have?
3.2L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2005?
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