2008 ACURA TL Steering Problems

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 the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. It was unknown whether the vehicle was previously diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

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 stated that the vehicle occasionally lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the Vehicle Safety Assist (VSA) system failed and the VSA Modulator Control illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure of the VSA system had caused the locking mechanisms and seat belts to fail to operate as needed. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 12V222000 (Steering) and 08V091000 (Steering); and linked the failure to the recalls. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Mileage: 164,000

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 destination and when I got there. I parked my car and sat in it while I waited for the phone repair show to open up.

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 just as susceptible if not more but no recall? I was told at the dealership it would cost 3,489 dollars to fix a fire hazard they knew [XXX] existed. The car is a safety hazard and I pray everyday the car doesnt catch fire because of the dealers greediness. I looked up estimates for other customers of acura and the repair should come out to 1200 not 3489.00. These are bad practices that quite frankly put myself and others on the road at risk. The Acura dealer is located at 505 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that after his wife had dropped him off at work, she was driving at an undisclosed speed when the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights was illuminated. The contact then stated that his wife had parked the vehicle in the garage when she heard an exploding sound where the vehicle was parked. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife noticed that the vehicle was inflamed. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police nor fire report was filed. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that upon research, he noticed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was previously included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering) However, the recall had been completed and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 176,930

Mileage: 176,930

The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was a whining sound coming from the steering column while making right or left turns. Upon inspection, it was discovered that power steering fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump had failed. The contact indicated that the power steering pump had been replaced on multiple occasions due to a faulty power steering hose. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 199,000.

Mileage: 199,000

I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I had to throw it in neutral, turning the key back and forth from the off position to the start position to get it to unlock right before I crashed into on coming traffick! There has been nothing wrong with the car other than routine maintenance an absolutely no signs anything is wrong with the car. It has 168436 miles on it and has been religiously maintained. There is a SERIOUS problem with this vehicle for something like this to happen. I've owned hundreds of cars and never experienced anything like this happening, ever!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, HE DETECTED A FUEL AND OIL ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER LYLE PEARSON ACURA (7675 W GRATZ DR, BOISE, ID 83709) AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE, HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE HAD BEEN PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *DT

Mileage: 160,000

FEBRUARY 2020 GOING DOWNHILL AT 30MPH ON A CURVED ROAD, AND MY WHEEL SNAPS TO THE RIGHT THANKS TO RECALLED BALL JOINTS!!!!!!!!! HIT THE CURB, SNAPPED MY ROTOR IN HALF AND THE BRAKE LINE. LOWER CONTROL ARM WENT THRU MY CRADLE. SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL WITH NO STEERING AND NO FREAKING BRAKES AT ALL. OUT OF NOWHERE! TOTALED SUSPENSION ALL THE WAY AROUND. ONLY FREAKIN AIRBAG TO GO OFF WAS THE PASSENGER WINDOW AIRBAG. WHOLE CAR WAS [XXX] BECAUSE OF MANUFACTOR ISSUES! SOUNDS LIKE ACURA SHOULD REPLACE MY FREAKING CAR. OH WAIT.. I DID. AND TODAY THE ONE IM DRIVING RIGHT NOW RANDOMLY HAD THE POWER STEERING EXPLODEEEEEE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI WHILE TURNING AND RANDOMLY LOSING STEERING OUT OF NOWHERE ONCE AGAIN!! WHICH FRIED MY COOLING FAN, AND OVERHEATED MY MOTOR ON MY ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING.... SO YEAH. NEVER BUYING ANOTHER ACURA AGAIN, PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Mileage: 145,000

THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS TWO DEEP CRACKS AROUND THE PERIMETER. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THE FIRST CRACK APPEARED. THE SECOND CRACK HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND I SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE STEERING HAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT.

I HAVE SOME SUSPENSION RELATED ISSUES THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 11E022000 BUT WHEN I TYPE IN MY VIN# ON YOUR WEBSITE IT SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ITEM ON MY 2008 ACURA TL. I HAVE ANOTHER DIAGNOSED ISSUE WITH THE STEERING FROM YOUR RECALL # 08V091000 AND THERE IS NO LISTING FOR THIS RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ON YOUR WEBSITE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID DUE TO INTENSE HEAT AND THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS DETERIORATING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, YET SEE THE RECALL IS FOR CERTAIN 2008 MODELS. WHO CAN HELP ME WITH THIS? ANOTHER DIAGNOSED ISSUE IS THE POWERTRAIN RECALL # 04V176000 THAT IS ALSO NOT LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEARS AND AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2ND GEAR. I WILL BE NOTIFYING HONDA, ON ALL THESE ISSUES, BUT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE ON THE DETERMINATION OF "CERTAIN 2008" MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A STRANGE ODOR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO MCGRATH ACURA OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO WHO OFFERED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

NHTSA 12V-222. ACURA SAYS THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL ON THIS MATTER. MEANWHILE, THE SMOKE THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT UNBEARABLE FOR US TO TURN ON THE HEAT OR A/C BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY MANUFACTURE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 71,000

POWER STEERING LEAK INTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 70,000

THE HANDS FREE LINK WORKS SOME OF THE TIMES I HAVE TO BUMP THE PLASTIC COVER FOR IT TO CONNECT TO MY PHONE, ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESOVOR LEAKS CONSTANTLY AND THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY THIS SHOULD BE FIXED WHEN YOU GET THE HOSES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL I THINK IT SHOULD BE AS WELL. VERY DISSATISFIED HOW ACURA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH THE HFL AND THE POWER STEERING!!!!

2008 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FEED HOSE LEAK RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR HE PAID FOR. *JB

RECEIVED "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" FROM ACURA IN JUNE 2012 REGARDING ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO AN AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER FOR REPAIRS SOON AFTER RECEIPT OF NOTICE. IN JUNE 2015 THE SAME AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER STATED AFTER A ROUTINE SERVICE VISIT THAT THE STEERING RACK IS LEAKING AND THE STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $2,299.00. SOON AFTER I WROTE LETTERS TO BOTH ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COGGIN ACURA REQUESTING AN INQUIRY AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM COGGIN ACURA; HOWEVER, ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITH A COMPLETE REJECTION. THIS IS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE, ONE THAT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH AT ONE TIME FOR A RECALL. I AM THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE OWNER AND HAVE SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT ACURA AUTHORIZED DEALER.

Mileage: 76,589

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED UPON START UP HE NOTICE SMOKE AND HEARD A HISSING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE DETERIORATED PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING) OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V091000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD INDEED EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

PLEASE NOTE THE PERSISTENT PROBLEMS FOUND IN 3RD GENERATION ACURA TL VEHICLES' POWER STEERING SYSTEMS. THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE REPORTED FREQUENTLY BY ACURA TL OWNERS AND I BELIEVE THEM TO BE A RESULT OF FAULTY DESIGN AND POOR MANUFACTURING. THESE PROBLEMS EFFECT THE PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES AND I BELIEVE SHOULD BE THE BASIS FOR A MANDATORY RECALL. IN MY OWN VEHICLE, ALONG WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FEED HOSE DUE TO A PREVIOUS RECALL, I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING SUCTION HOSE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR LEAKED AND FINALLY THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. GIVEN THE MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM, I CALLED ACURA CORPORATE TO RELAY THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD TO SIMPLY CALL MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION TO GET THE PROBLEMS FIXES AS THEY ARISE. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY ACURA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES I HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT THE '08 MODEL SEEMS TO GET THE MOST COMPLAINTS DESPITE IT BEING THE "YOUNGEST" OF THE TL THIRD GENERATION CARS. YOUR OWN EXPERTS CAN TAKE A LOOK BUT ONE MECHANIC I CAME ACROSS NOTED THE FOLLOWING: "ITS NO WONDER THAT THESE RACKS ARE DESTINED TO FAIL AND LEAK WITH TIME. THE SEALS INSIDE MUST BE SLOWLY ROASTING ON EVERY DAILY COMMUTE THE SYSTEM ENDURES WITH THE SUPER HOT PS FLUID. OVER TIME THE RUBBER IS GOING TO WARP AND DEFORM, BREAKING THE SEAL IN THE SYSTEM, THUS NEGATING ITS SOLE PURPOSE OF HOLDING ANY PS FLUID ALTOGETHER. ACURA MUST HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THIS AS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ONLY MADE A REVISION ON THE TYPE-S. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PARTS WEBSITE, YOU'LL SEE HOW THE TYPE-S HAD INTEGRATED A PS FLUID COOLER INTO THEIR SYSTEM:" I BELIEVE ACURA KNOWS THERE DESIGN WAS FAULTY AND KNEW THERE WOULD BE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES AND DID NOTHING. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CAR WAS RECALLED; HOWEVER, MY CAR'S VIN IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF THE RECALL NUMBERS. THE RECALLED PART IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. *JS

I HAVE A 2008 ACURA TL TYPE-S. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THIS MODEL, HOWEVER THE VIN OF MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING (VERIFIED BY AN ACURA DEALERSHIP). I CALLED ACURA AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS CARS THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I KNOW FROM READING REPORTS FROM OTHER TL OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, THE HOSE ON MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE HOSE WITH THE HEAT-SHIELD THAT IS INSTALLED WHEN THE RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED, THUS MY CAR HAS THE DEFECTIVE HOSE AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

HELLO, I RECENTLY GOT THE 2008 ACURA TL 3.2 LTR VEHICLE FROM USED CARS DEALER. I OBSERVED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AND IS CAUSING THE BURNT SMELL AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY CAR HAS 57750 MILES AND HAD NO WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO ACURA DEALER AND HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT. *TR

Mileage: 57,750

MY ACURA TL IS A TYPE S. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE TL BUT NOT THE TYPE S. MY HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING IN THE SAME PLACE AS ALL THE OTHER TLS (VERIFIED BY NUMEROUS ACURA FORUMS). IT IS LEAKING DIRECTLY ON THE EXHAUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SMOKE CAN BE SMELLED AT ALL SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND AN ASE CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT OUT OF POCKET AFTER THE DEALER DENIED COVERAGE AND REPAIRED IT. THE REPLACEMENT HOSE CAME WITH HEAT SHIELD WRAP AROUND THE EXACT PLACE MINE IS LEAKING. THE RECALLED HOSE WAS DUE TO HEAT DETERIORATION. MY ORIGINAL HOSE HAD NO HEAT WRAP. IF THE TL-S IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, WHY WOULD IT NEED THIS UPGRADE? *TR

Mileage: 61,000

FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE HARD STEERING ON HER 2008 ACURA TL. THE HARD STEERING HAS ALREADY CAUSED DAILY PAIN AND MUSCLE STRAIN ON MY WIFE'S SHOULDER. OUR COMPLAINTS HAVE GONE TO DEAF EARS. THEY CHECKED AND ALWAYS SAID THAT "THE CAR IS FINE, THE CAR IS FINE." I BELIEVE THE CAR IS NOT FINE OR SAFE BECAUSE WE PRESENTLY EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. ISN'T THERE A RECALL WITH REGARDS TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM ON 2008 ACURA TL. *TR

Mileage: 60,547

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V091000, STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST, HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE. ACURA REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT A 50% DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,800.

Mileage: 53,800