The Lemon Index
2007
20093rd generation
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 BMW 3 Series 1442008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 402008 Lexus IS 59
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 12V222000 (steering) and 11E022000 (suspension) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Acura sent dealers 33 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “There is a knocking or vibration from under the front of the vehicle while driving due to high”?
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 19 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 2K to 53K miles (3K to 87K km) on the car (16 of all 19 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
Replaced timing belt, tensioner, fan belt, and back leather seat (bottom part).
2008 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10290008
More owner reports
The doors do not stay open and tend to close on passengers as they are entering or exiting the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10288842
2008 Acura tl - doors will not stay open when getting out of car. Doors close on individuals when exiting the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10287471
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 33 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is a knocking or vibration from under the front of the vehicle while driving due to high
- HandsFreeLink (HFL) Doesn?t Work, or Battery Is Too Low to Start the Engine: The HandsFreeLink…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- Steering · recall issued 2012
In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles.
- 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 4 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES.
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–$3,750 (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, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TL year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Acura TL reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (26%), engine (16%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Acura TL have?
4 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 2008 Acura TL get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Acura TL have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2008?
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