ACURA TL · model year

1999 ACURA TL

197 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999ACURATL carries 197 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 27 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 TL is electrical system with 34 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (26) and electrical system:ignition:switch (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1999 TL, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

197
Complaints
27
Crashes
5
Fires
12
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

197 filings

Crashes Reported

27 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
AIR BAGS11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION8
POWER TRAIN8
STEERING6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
ENGINE5
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES4
INTERIOR LIGHTING3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
STRUCTURE:BODY3

Recent Complaints

20220912UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.

20220912ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 99 will unexpectedly shut off while driving down the road whether it be 5 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour. When this happens all power is off then kicks itself back on but won’t start until about 5 minutes to 10 minutes later and then runs smoothly but sometimes it will shut off again and take longer to start.

20220427CrashAIR BAGS

My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive

20220427CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive

20220427CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

My Acura TL has many issues and is dangerous to drive

20220219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recently found that there was as noted above. Can you contact the Dealer on my behalf as I am under the impression that the dealer is suppose to replace the defective part at no cost as it does cause an unsafe condition when it occurs. Engine just dies without warning. There has not been an independent assessment of the condition as it occurs on a random basis and of course, never occurs when you want it to.

20200921AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF CONCORD (1340 CONCORD AVE, CONCORD, CA 94520 (925) 674-1900) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED, VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200915AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED HILEY ACURA (3125 NE LOOP 820, FORT WORTH, TX 76137; (817) 232-2872) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200903AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200814AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED PROCTOR ACURA DEALER LOCATED AT 3523 W. TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

20200623AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO BERGSTROM USED CAR SUPER CENTER OF APPLETON (2925 N VICTORY LN #101, APPLETON, WI 54913, (800) 398-6846) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE

20200410AIR BAGS

ACURA OF CONCORD CA #251621 INFORMED IN A TELEPHONE CALL THAT THEY DO NOT INTEND TO REPAIR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF MY APRIL 10 2020 REQUEST FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER IS IN JEAPORDAY

20200323AIR BAGS

MY CAR NEEDS THE NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT. AS OF TODAY, MARCH 23, 2020, PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THE RECALL NOTICE FROM ACURA STATES "THE AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD ALSO RUPTURE DURING DEPLOYMENT, WITH METAL FRAGMENTS POSSIBLY STRIKING THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THIS POSSIBILITY. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA CONSUMER AFFAIRS (CASE # 10324034) AND REQUESTED ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO BE PROVIDED AT ACURA'S EXPENSE UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. MY REQUEST WAS REFUSED. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO INTERVENE AND ESCALATE MY REQUEST FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION.

20200213AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT ON THIS WEBSITE. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM CANNOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE ALL PARTS ARE DISCONTINUED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE NOW THE SRS DASHBOARD LIGHT IS ON WHICH MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFFLINE AND WILL NOT ENGAGE IF THERE IS A FRONT END COLLISION. HOW DO I GET THIS RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AND I'M CONCERNED THAT I OR POSSIBLY A PASSENGER IN MY CAR MAY SUSTAIN UNNECESSARY INJURIES IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DOES NOT ENGAGE IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO GET THIS ISSUE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THANK YOU, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

Mileage: 190,000

20190423AIR BAGS

I HAVE A PHONE TO A 88 HONDA, 94 HONDA 99 ACURA EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITION. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR A NEW VEHICLE BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA DUE TO THE AIR CONDITION PROBLEMS UNLESS THERE WAS A GUARANTEE THAT YOU GUYS WILL STAND BEHIND THE AIR CONDITIONS.

Mileage: 149,510

20190423SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A PHONE TO A 88 HONDA, 94 HONDA 99 ACURA EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITION. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR A NEW VEHICLE BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA DUE TO THE AIR CONDITION PROBLEMS UNLESS THERE WAS A GUARANTEE THAT YOU GUYS WILL STAND BEHIND THE AIR CONDITIONS.

Mileage: 149,510

20180910ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HANSEL ACURA (2979 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.

Mileage: 320,000

20170718ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO HAD PROVIDED SEVERAL REPAIR SOLUTIONS BUT THEY DID NOT REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE AND DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V423000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT PUTS MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF AT RISK. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.

Mileage: 173,000

20161104POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, SHIFT INTO PARK, AND TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/14/17.*JB

Mileage: 225,000

Compare 1999ACURATL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 ACURA TL have?
The 1999 ACURA TL has 197 NHTSA complaints, 27 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 ACURA TL?
The most-complained component for the 1999 ACURA TL is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 34 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH.
Is the 1999 ACURA TL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.