DecodedCars2005 Acura TL
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan FWD /Dynamic Pack, 4dr Sedan FWD /Navi Pack
- Engines
- 3.2L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 189.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,494–3,578 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Many owner complaints155 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 21 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Acura TL is a midsize car offered with a 3.2L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,494 lb (4dr Sedan FWD /Dynamic Pack).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 26 highway), 2% better than the 2005 midsize car average of 20.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan FWD /Dynamic Pack | 189.4 in | 72.4 in | 56.7 in | 107.9 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,494 lb | 61/39 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD /Navi Pack | 189.4 in | 72.4 in | 56.7 in | 107.9 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,578 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL | 3.2L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | +2% | $3,900 | 423 |
| TL | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | +2% | $3,900 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Acura TL under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Acura TL (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Audi A6 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Lexus LS | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Lexus GS | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2005 Acura TL is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Acura TL buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 85 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Structure › Body — 22 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Steering — 17 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 125,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Acura TL. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other TL years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 15 |
| 2013 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 58 |
| 2012 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 107 |
| 2011 TL | 21 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 20 |
| 2010 TL | 21 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 49 |
| 2009 TL | 21 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 30 |
| 2008 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 80 |
| 2007 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 65 |
| 2006 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 128 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →