The Lemon Index
200520073rd generation
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 BMW 3 Series 1102006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class2006 Lexus IS 93
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Acura TL
- Battery drain / dead battery9 complaintsmostly at 75,000–90,000 miles (121,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 247 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
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.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Acura sent dealers 40 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint”?
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 16 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 4K to 20K miles (6K to 32K km) on the car (14 of all 16 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.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 40 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint
- Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting
- Front passenger seat squeaks or rattles
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
- Airbags · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ON THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM WHERE THE TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS IS MOUNTED, NEAR THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.
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
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. 2006 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 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Acura TL reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (19%), suspension (12%) and wheels (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 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 2006 Acura TL get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Acura TL have?
3.2L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2006?
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