2008 Acura Tl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Acura Tl: 2 recalls, 124 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #08V091000 · 2008 · 273,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Prolonged high under-hood temperatures May cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
Why it matters: Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2008.
Steering Vehicle recall #12V222000 · 2012 · 625,762 vehicles
What's wrong: In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura tl vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 accord v6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures May cause the power steering…
Why it matters: If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles May obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #11E022000 · 2011 · 150 vehicles
What's wrong: 2601662, that May have been mistakenly installed in certain model year 2004 - 2008 Acura tl vehicles due to a mistake in a napa and napa dealers' parts application catalogue.
Why it matters: Misapplication of this part could lead to separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm and collapse of the front suspension, which could potentially cause a vehicle crash.
The fix: Affinia is working with napa to identify any owners that have had this part mistakenly installed on to an Acura tl vehicle, and will replace the part free of charge. The safety recall began on July 20, 2011.
Speed control / throttle Equipment recall #19E068000 · 2019 · 3,744 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain accelerator pedal assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2004-2008 Acura tl and tsx, 2003-2007 Honda accord, 2005-2006 Honda cr-v, 2007-2011 Honda element, 2005-2008 Honda pilot and 2006-2014 Honda ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly May bind. As such, these vehicles…
Why it matters: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine May not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (34): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (2).
- Steering (26): the most common themes are steering problems (24), leaks (12).
- Body & structure (20): the most common themes are door / lock issues (7).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2008 Acura Tl has 124 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 20 Tl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 156). Complaints peaked in 2014 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 76,589 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (124 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (42 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Acura Tl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Acura Tl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Acura Tl, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Acura Tl problems?
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (34), steering (26), body & structure (20).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura Tl get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.2 L, Automatic (S5)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Acura Tl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.