Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Acura TL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Power train4
- Suspension3
- Air bags3
- Visibility3
- Electrical system2
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Structure1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Acura TL failed the safety check 0.90% of the time — 39% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 122,645 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Acura TL.
| 1999156 19 Aug 1999 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the transmission case bolt which allows service access to disconnect the differential from the transmission could loosen and fall out. If … |
| 1999101 26 May 1999 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the front suspension lower ball joints may prematurely wear out due to improper finishing of the surface of the spherical portion of the ba… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Acura told its dealers about the 1996 Acura TL: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636758 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION SQUEAKS IN COLD WEATHER. *TT |
| 629322 | INFORMATION ON TROUBLESHOOTING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1705, P1768, P0753, P0758. *TT |
| 629320 | SUBJECT REGARDING A SQUEAL NOISE AT FRONT SUSPENSION AT LOW TEMPERATURE. *TT |
| 626607 | SUBJECT REGARDING SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 5-1 THROUGH 8-3, INTERNAL SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM UNIT FAILURE. *YD |
| 612493 | EXPERIENCING GROWLING OR WHINING FROM ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS WHEN DRIVING. *TT |
| 610250 | BRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 605147 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF 1 - 2 SHIFT. *TT |
| 604037 | INFORMATION REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 1-2 COMPLAINTS. *YC |
| 602354 | COMPLAINTS OF BRAKE SQUEAL WHEN YOU LIGHTLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. *YC |
| 52025 | THE DRIVER'S FOOTREST IS TOO FAR AWAY. *JD |
| 52021 | RADIO INTERFERENCE FROM THE IGNITION COIL(S). *JD |
| 10211608 | Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated. |
| 10193392 | Sending vehicle data to tech line. |
| 10037486 | ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM |
| 10014092 | DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) P1457 (EVAP LEAK AT CANISTER) *SC |
| 10013825 | DTC P0441( INCORRECT PURGE FLOW) AFTER ENGINE OR THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. *NM |
| 10012910 | AIRBAG ON OFF SWITCH. *EH |
| 10009256 | INTERMITTENT SRA DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 1-1 TO 1-5, DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR CIRCUIT. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT |
| 10009254 | A/C COMPRESSOR CONTROL LOGIC. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT |
| 10009253 | CLEARING ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT |
| 10009058 | AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH APPLICATION CHART. ACURA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT |
| 10009042 | DON'T TEST-DRIVE WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR D INDICATOR ON. ACURA. SERVICENEWS. APRIL 2004. *TT |
| 10005860 | AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) COMPRESSOR CONTROL LOGIC. ACURA SERVICE NEWS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)