2009 Acura TL Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Acura TL has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission shudder and hesitation on acceleration.” Acura's Maintenance Minder calculates oil life from real engine conditions and shows service codes instead of fixed mileages — code A or B (oil / oil + inspection) plus sub-codes for items like tire rotation (1), air filters (2), or transmission fluid (3). Follow the codes, not the calendar. One interval you should never stretch: most Acura 3.5L V6 engines (MDX, TL) use a timing belt with a roughly 105,000-mile / 7-year replacement — a snapped belt on this interference engine means bent valves. SH-AWD models add a rear-differential fluid service that's essential for the torque-vectoring unit.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Acura TL.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission shudder and hesitation on acceleration

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2019-04

“GROWLING AND VIBRATION FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING 35-40 MPH. WAS TOLD IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN. HAVE HAD IT REPLACED TWICE NOW, GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER LAST NIGHT AND IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10937185
“VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES, VERY HEAVILY, WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, LIKE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ABRUPTLY, OR FROM FIRST OF SECOND GEAR, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS OR WHEN USING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11112288
“RADUAL ACCELERATION ELICITS THE SYMPTOMS OF SHUDDER AND TACH HUNTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. DRIVING TO WORK 128 MASS HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11203161

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel lock-up while driving

STEERING

2 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2010-03

“WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2009 ACURA TL THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN CT AT ABOUT 6:00 PM ON FEB 17TH. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HILL IN MY HOMETOWN THAT I HAVE DRIVEN ON LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES. I KNOW THE HILL IS FAIRLY STEEP SO I WAS GOING VERY SLOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10316266
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 ACURA TL WITH 10,000 MILES ON IT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR I SIDESWIPED A GUARDRAIL CAUSING MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEVAN ACURA IN NORWALK CT. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO THE ENGINEERS FROM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317976

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood strut failure causing hood to fall

STRUCTURE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2015-02

“WHEN PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL LEVEL CHECK, THE HOOD ON MY ACURA TL 2009 UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED SUDDENLY. THE HOOD STRUTS HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER (TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE). THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. UPDATED 4/16/2015 *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10632727
“HOOD FALLS SUDDENLY WHEN OPEN. STRUTS HAVE FAILED TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN SECURELY. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER ( ACURA OF SANTA MONICA CALIFORNIA) AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO HOT WEATHER IN LOS ANGELES. NOW, THE SECOND TIME, IT HAS HAPPENED IN WINTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10689690

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reflective dash trim glare in side mirrors

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2010-12

“THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT CREATED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS. THE GUNMETAL TRIM INSERTED INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER SIDES OF THE DASH CREATE A BLINDING GLARE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ON SUNNY DAYS. THE GLARE IS SO BAD, IT COVERS NEARLY ALL OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278680
“THE LOWER PART OF THE DASHBOARD, AT MID LEVEL ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES NEXT TO THE VENT OPENINGS, IS FINISHED WITH A REFLECTIVE MATERIAL THAT CAUSES SEVERE SIDE MIRROR GLARE WHEN DRIVING WITH SUNLIGHT COMING FROM THE REAR. THE GLARE IS SO BAD, THAT IT CREATES A BLIND SPOT IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10352654
“BECAUSE OF THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DASH LOWER DASH COMPONENTS ON THE FAR LEFT AND FAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH, THERE IS A BLIND SPOT CREATED BY SUN GLARE INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT MIRRORS FROM THE REFECTION OFF THE LOWER LEFT AND RIGHT DASHBOARD. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10373490

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall replacement part delay

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2017-02

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10955286
“ACURA IS ASKING ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE A HAZARDOUS AND PERHAPS FATALLY FLAWED VEHICLE WITH REGARDS TO THE AIRBAG RECALL THUS JEOPARDIZING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS. I WAS INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DEALER IN THE ORLANDO, FL AREA THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN AND SIGN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10863370
“"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM ACURA THAT MY 2009 TL WAS BEING RECALLED FOR THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. ON THE RECALL NOTICE IT STATES "THE DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES COULD KILL OR INJURE YOU OR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR VEHICLE". IT ADVISES TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10852914

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended airbag deployment at low speed

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2016-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HAND AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10924819
“SON WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5 MPH, WENT OVER A DRAINAGE GRATE & THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE OUTSIDE OR UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS NOT ON AIRBAG RECALL LIST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10782009

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall or shutdown while driving

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2025-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10957814
“I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DUE TO A MECHANICAL RECALL THAT WENT UNDIAGNOSED.( OVER OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL, IN WHICH I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING THE LETTER PRODIVIDED) I WAS DRIVING OFF OF PLEASANT STREET IN HANSON MA, CROSSING ONTO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11251847
“The Acura key has a hinge on it with a release button and a spring where the keys open when the button is pressed and the key locks in place. The locking mechanism on the hinge failed. This means that when enough items are on a keychain on the key the weight will rotate the keys”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678215

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Soft or spongy brake pedal

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2023-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HELP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11196963
“Intermitten problem with brakes becoming soft/spongy. I have taken my vehicle to Hondaa and a few local shops no one could identify the issue but confirmed brakes rotors were good and no leakes. After searching online I found many people experiencing the same issue which seems”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504865

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter (Maintenance Minder A/B)

Every 8,000 mi

Change when the Maintenance Minder reaches 15% oil life or shows code A/B — typically every 7,500-10,000 miles with 0W-20 synthetic. Short-trip city driving triggers the code sooner; that's the algorithm doing its job.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Timing Belt (3.5L V6 — MDX, TL)

Every 105,000 mi

J-series V6: replace the timing belt around 105,000 miles or 7 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 4). It's an interference engine — a failed belt destroys valves. Replace the water pump and tensioner in the same job. (2022+ MDX 3.5L remains belt-driven; the Integra's turbo four is chain-driven.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate when sub-code 1 appears — roughly every 7,500 miles. SH-AWD models: keep tread depths matched across all four corners.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and fluid level with every A/B service. Type S models with Brembo front calipers: pads wear faster and cost more — budget ahead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 3 years regardless of mileage — Honda/Acura schedules this on time because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Transmission Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF when sub-code 3 appears — commonly every 30,000-60,000 miles depending on duty. Use Honda/Acura ATF only (DW-1, or the 10-speed's specified fluid); aftermarket 'universal' ATF causes shudder in these gearboxes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

SH-AWD Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

SH-AWD (MDX, TLX, RDX): replace the rear differential fluid roughly every 30,000 miles (sub-code 6) — the torque-vectoring clutch packs run in this fluid, and whining or binding in tight turns is the classic overdue symptom.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 4)

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs around 100,000 miles on most models. Turbocharged Integra/ADX engines: check the manual — forced induction typically shortens the interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2, roughly every 30,000 miles — sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2 alongside the engine air filter. Behind the glovebox — an easy DIY on most Acuras.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Sub-code 5)

Every 100,000 mi

Honda/Acura Type 2 coolant: first change around 10 years / 100,000 miles, then every 5 years / 50,000. Use the blue Type 2 coolant only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

31 crashes 1990–2024

How the 31 occupant deaths break down

22

driver deaths

9

passenger deaths

31

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Acura TL reflects Acura's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.