2006 ACURA TL Complaints

As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly began smoking through the steering wheel and the hood, then it caught flames and the vehicle was totaled.

My Acura (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a non-collision spontaneous deployment of the side airbag while the vehicle was completely stationary. There was no impact, no crash, and no triggering event. This is a serious safety defect that could have caused significant injury or loss of vehicle control had the car been in motion. This vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Recall 19V182000 involving Takata airbag inflators, but the recall repair was never completed, and the recall now shows as closed. It is unclear whether the recall was closed in error or whether the inflator or a related airbag component failed due to the unresolved safety defect. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the deployment. The airbag system gave no indication of a problem. The deployed components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. The issue has not yet been inspected by Acura because, despite opening a safety case over two weeks ago, the manufacturer has not assigned a case manager. Insurance has been notified, but no manufacturer or dealer inspection has occurred yet. Given the prior Takata recall, the incomplete repair history, and the spontaneous deployment, this failure represents a potentially ongoing safety hazard that requires immediate investigation and corrective action. I attached pictures all the way around the car so you can see where the airbags are deployed and there is no damage to the vehicle because there was no collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed. The contact replaced the sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the power steering hose was leaking. The contact was informed that the steering fluid had entered other unknown components of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was topping off the power steering fluid reservoir every third day. The contact stated that the VSA warning light and air bag light remained illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS), 19E068000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), and 08V091000 (STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

I am the original owner of this 2006 Acura TL. I have vertical cracks on the dashboard surrounding the passenger SRS airbag system. Aside from the bad look, is there a safety issue from either the air bag deploying prematurely and/or the air bag deploying in an unsafe manner and injuring the passenger. I have researched this issue online and there are numerous complaints about this dashboard issue and possible issues with the SRS airbag deployment.

Transmission shifts down very hard, once causing the car to lose traction and skid approximately 10 feet on the highway. The car luckily regained control and I avoided collision. I have seen many other reports of hard shifting in this car.

My transmission failed at 105,000 had to pay 4500 for a new transmission, I’m sure they have had complaints about the Acura TL through 2004-2008. I am currently on my third transmission and now the new one is hard shifting already.

Dashboard cracked. Internet search revels this is a Acura TL fleet wide issue. Cracked dashboard may rip airbag during deployment rendering it useless, impede airbag deployment, or send shards of plastic during airbag deployment.

Car has been in family and well taken care of, smell of fire along with multiple alternators and battery changes. Mechanics cannot figure out why car goes through alternator and batteries. Paid for 6 to 8 alternator and battery. Transmission is now going on car. Like I said car has been taken care of but not worth transmission job, my complaint is I see almost every person who has Acura TL all have transmission problems. I need Acura to answer for all transmission problems through the whole country and why so many alternators and batteries?

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE IS LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SMOKE BILLOWS INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKES DRIVING WITH WINDOW DOWN NECESSARY. AFRAID CONTINUED LEAKAGE WILL START A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OBTAINED A NEW HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BUT AFRAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL DO THE SAME THING OVER TIME. WILL BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE BUT COULD NOT FIND RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE.

2/26/2008 STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER- HOOD FIRE. Summary HONDA IS RECALLING 273.000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551). Notes ACURA RECALL NO. Q73.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP:// WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.