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2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD is a 305-hp 3.7-liter with a 5-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $38,505 MSRP.

It makes 305 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm, spinning to a 6,700 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The TL measures 195.3 inches long on a 109.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,971 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$38,505 ($58,341 *)
MSRP with Destination$39,315 ($59,568 *)
Destination Charge$810
Engine
Engine Type3.7-liter, SOHC VTEC V-6
Displacement3.7 L
Horsepower305 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque273 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Redline6,700 rpm
ValvetrainVTEC, 4-valves-per-cylinder, belt-driven, single overhead camshaft
Bore and Stroke90 x 96 mm
Compression Ratio11.2:1
Injection TypeProgrammed multi-point Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control
1st Gear2.697 (44 mph **)
2nd Gear1.606 (73 mph **)
3rd Gear1.071 (110 mph **)
4th Gear0.694 (169 mph **)
5th Gear0.491 (239 mph **)
Reverse1.888
Final Drive4.533
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded
Tank Capacity18.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link
Front Stabilizer Bar1.06 in (31 mm)
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.79 in (20 mm)
Turning Diameter38.5 ft
Brakes
Front Brake CalipersDual-piston
Front Brake Disc12.6 in (320 mm) ventilated, 1.1 in (28 mm) thick, functional front cooling ducts
Rear Brake Disc13.1 in (334 mm) solid, 0.43 in (11 mm) thick
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18x8 in cast-aluminum
Wheels Rear18x8 in cast-aluminum
Tires FrontMichelin Pilot HX MXM4 P245/45R18 96V M+S
Tires RearMichelin Pilot HX MXM4 P245/45R18 96V M+S
Dimensions & Weight
Length195.3 in
Width74 in
Height57.2 in
Wheelbase109.3 in
Front Track63.2 in
Rear Track63.8 in
Ground Clearance5.7 in
Cargo Volume13.1 ft³
Curb Weight3,971 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)59% / 41%
Interior
Headroom Front38.4 in
Headroom Rear36.7 in
Legroom Front42.5 in
Legroom Rear36.2 in
Shoulder Room Front58.1 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.2 in
Hip Room Front55.7 in
Hip Room Rear54.8 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 ★★★★★ (9.3 % risk)
Tested variant: 2009 Acura TL 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Acura TL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 27, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

NHTSA campaign 19V500000

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

Feb 3, 2016 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

NHTSA campaign 16V061000

42 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2009 Acura TL

Owner Complaints

42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Acura TL (5 mention a crash, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags19
Structure6
Visibility6
Power Train5
Electrical System3
Engine2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 4, 2025 · Electrical System, Unknown Or Other
“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…”
Feb 1, 2023 · Service Brakes
“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…”
Aug 27, 2019 · Power Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Apr 23, 2019 · Power Train
“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”
Apr 17, 2019 · Service Brakes Crash
“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…”

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 2009 ACURA TL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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