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2008 Acura TL Base

The 2008 Acura TL Base is a 258-hp 3.2-liter with a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $33,725 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 258 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 233 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 3,623 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$33,725 ($50,909 *)
MSRP with Destination$34,485 ($52,056 *)
Destination Charge$760
Engine
Engine Type3.2-liter, SOHC VTEC V-6
Displacement3.2 L
Horsepower258 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque233 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 multi-point Injection (PGM-FI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift and Grade Logic Control
1st Gear2.697 (44 mph **)
2nd Gear1.606 (74 mph **)
3rd Gear1.071 (111 mph **)
4th Gear0.693 (171 mph **)
5th Gear0.49 (242 mph **)
Reverse1.888
Final Drive4.312
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded
Tank Capacity17.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link
Front Stabilizer Bar1.07 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.72 in
Turning Diameter39.7 ft
Brakes
Front Brake CalipersSingle-piston
Front Brake Disc11.8 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 Front235/45R17
Tires Rear235/45R17
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 Weight3,623 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)61.6% / 38.4%
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: 2008 Acura TL 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 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

May 17, 2012 · STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. 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 hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.

Consequence: If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Remedy: 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 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign 12V222000

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

124 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Acura TL

Owner Complaints

124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Acura TL (4 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags34
Steering26
Structure20
Electrical System15
Unknown Or Other13
Engine10
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 16, 2026 · Engine, Vehicle Speed Control
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the vehicle lost automotive power and shifted into LIMP Mode…”
Dec 11, 2025 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at lower speeds or while making a left or right turn, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was required to steer…”
Apr 21, 2025 · Steering, Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
“The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the power steering fluid reservoir needed to be refilled more often than expected, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact…”
Jun 23, 2024 · Steering, Unknown Or Other Fire
“My car caught on fire from under the hood. Me and my son was sitting in the car and it just caught on fire. I was scared and didn't know how it happen. I drove an hour and thiry plus minutes to my…”
Mar 13, 2024 · Steering
“My car has a recall on the high pressure power steering line because it prematurely fails and douses the catalytic converter in power steering fluid. The problem is the low pressure hose going back is…”

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 2008 ACURA TL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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