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2004 Acura TL Base Auto

The 2004 Acura TL Base Auto is a 270-hp 3.2-liter with a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $32,650 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 270 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 238 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm, spinning to a 6,800 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The TL measures 189.3 inches long on a 107.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,575 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$32,650 ($56,174 *)
MSRP with Destination$33,195 ($57,112 *)
Destination Charge$545
Engine
Engine Type3.2-liter, SOHC VTEC V-6
Displacement3.2 L
Horsepower270 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque238 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Redline6,800 rpm
ValvetrainVTEC, 4 valves-per-cylinder, belt-driven SOHC
Bore and Stroke89 mm x 86 mm (3.50 in x 3.39 in)
Compression Ratio11.0:1
Injection TypeProgrammed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift and Grade Logic Control
1st Gear2.563 (45 mph **)
2nd Gear1.552 (75 mph **)
3rd Gear1.021 (113 mph **)
4th Gear0.666 (174 mph **)
5th Gear0.48 (241 mph **)
Reverse1.846
Final Drive4.428
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded, 91 Octane
Tank Capacity17 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer Bar1.0 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.67 in
Turning Diameter39.7 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.4 in (300 mm) x 1.1 in (28 mm)
Rear Brake Disc11.1 in (282 mm) x 0.35 in (9 mm)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17x8 in
Wheels Rear17x8 in
Tires FrontP235/45R17
Tires RearP235/45R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length189.3 in
Width72.2 in
Height56.7 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Front Track62.1 in
Rear Track62 in
Ground Clearance5.8 in
Cargo Volume12.5 ft³
Curb Weight3,575 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)61.4% / 38.6%
Interior
Headroom Front38.7 in
Headroom Rear37.2 in
Legroom Front42.8 in
Legroom Rear34.9 in
Shoulder Room Front58.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear55.7 in
Hip Room Front55.6 in
Hip Room Rear53.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2004 Acura 3.2 TL 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Acura TL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 10, 2019 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

NHTSA campaign 19E068000

Mar 6, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

NHTSA campaign 19V182000

Jun 22, 2011 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.

NHTSA campaign 11E022000

Feb 27, 2008 · STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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.

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

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).

NHTSA campaign 08V091000

Feb 27, 2008 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

HONDA IS RECALLING 129,600 MY 2004-2005 ACURA TL VEHICLES. IF WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE MOTOR TO VENT WARM AIR DURING NORMAL OPERATION, IT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING. THIS COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING.

Consequence: IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILS, IT WILL CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION. IF NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ARE PRESENT, A SNORKEL TUBE WILL BE ADDED TO THE WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING AND FOAM TAPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE COWL ABOVE THE WIPER MOTOR TO DIRECT WATER AWAY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR. IF SIGNS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE OBSERVED ON THE WIPER MOTOR, THE MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED, AND THE BREATHER TUBE AND FOAM TAPE WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION ON THE NEW WIPER MOTOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign 08V092000

Apr 15, 2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign 04V176000

551 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2004 Acura TL

Owner Complaints

551 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Acura TL (13 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure232
Air Bags199
Power Train56
Tires51
Unknown Or Other49
Steering34
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 19, 2024 · Suspension
“I was driving and all of a sudden I hit a pot hole and then when I went to take a turn my car ended up making a shaking rattling sound when I pulled to to side to check it the ball joint was half way…”
May 1, 2024 · Unknown Or Other, Engine
“Car stopped working three days after I purchased it.”
Apr 29, 2023 · Steering, Air Bags
“I noticed that my power steering hose is all dirty and full of built up power steering fluid and my airbag light in the dash screen does not come off. I’m concerned the air bag will fail in the events…”
Mar 24, 2023 · Steering
“In December of 2022, my power steering hoses were found to be leaking. This was confirmed by a local mechanic, but not any manufacturers or insurance reps. There were no warning lights or symptoms…”
Feb 4, 2023 · Air Bags
“The red air bag light on the dashboard has been on for many months. It will occasionally turn off, but usually it is on. Is there a recall for my 2004 Acura TL air bags? Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2004 ACURA TL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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