2005 Acura TL power train problems
36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2005 Acura TL — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While I was driving 55 mph, on the throttle, the transmission acted as it was in Neutral but all indicators verified it was in Drive. The RPMs were fluctuating during this & my car wouldn't accelerate. I was in the middle of a busy highway, the car came to a stop, I shifted it into Park, then tried…”
filed Nov 8, 2025
“Transmission locked up while attempting to backup. Very loud grinding noise. Could not place back in park. Had to shut off engine to free shifter to move back to park. Tried again but this time placed in drive. Exact same results. Checked internet and apparently transmission on this year and others…”
filed Oct 5, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other TL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 TL | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 TL | 27 | 21% |
| 2011 TL | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 TL | 10 | 16% |
| 2009 TL | 5 | 12% |
| 2008 TL | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 TL | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 TL | 19 | 8% |
| 2004 TL | 56 | 10% |
| 2003 TL | 246 | 63% |
| 2002 TL | 224 | 67% |
| 2001 TL | 103 | 69% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2005 Acura TL
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.