The Lemon Index
2008
20104th generation
Not enough data. Only 7 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 BMW 3 Series 1222009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452009 Lexus IS 75
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V500000 (airbags), 19V182000 (airbags) and 16V061000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Acura sent dealers 89 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage…”?
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 7 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 10K miles (1K to 16K km) on the car (6 of all 7 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
Driver side window rattles excessively when shutting door and driving on rough roads.
2009 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10325829
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 89 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage…
- Update on some model vehicles regarding testing of alternators with the gr8 alternator/starter…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TL year. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Acura TL reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (71%), body structure (43%) and steering (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Acura TL have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Acura TL get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Acura TL have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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