The 2006 Acura TL 3.2L is a comfortable sport sedan undermined by catastrophic automatic transmission failures and a surprising engine oil consumption defect that destroys motors if ignored. Otherwise solid Honda engineering.
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2nd-3rd gear shifts, Flaring RPM between gears under moderate throttle, Transmission slipping in 3rd gear, especially when warm, Check engine light with P0730 (incorrect gear ratio) or P0753 codes
Fix: Requires full transmission rebuild or replacement. The 3rd gear clutch pack burns out due to inadequate lubrication and design flaws in the 5-speed automatic. Rebuild takes 12-16 hours; many shops recommend remanufactured units with updated components. Fluid changes every 30k do NOT prevent this—it's a design issue.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs (oil-soaked), Low oil pressure warning if oil runs critically low
Fix: J32A3 engine suffers from piston ring land design flaw causing rings to stick and fail. Requires engine teardown, new pistons, rings, honing, and often valve seals. Some techs do short-block replacement to save time. This is 25-35 hours of labor depending on approach. Catching it early (monitoring oil levels religiously) prevents total engine damage.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under front of vehicle, Transmission running hot (temp gauge rising), Low fluid level causes delayed engagement or slipping, Visible corrosion or seepage at cooler line fittings
Fix: The rubber lines to/from the radiator-mounted ATF cooler crack and weep. Replacement requires draining system, replacing lines and often the cooler itself if contaminated. 2-3 hours labor. Critical to address immediately—low ATF will kill the already-fragile transmission.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Lower Ball Joint Wear (NHTSA Recall but Still Fails)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Steering wander or loose feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Play detectable when lifting wheel and checking for movement
Fix: Even post-recall, these ball joints wear prematurely. Ball joint is pressed into lower control arm; most shops replace entire arm for reliability. 2.5-3 hours per side. Do alignment after. Safety critical—separation causes loss of control.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Power Steering Hose Leaks (Recall 10V-380)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid dripping near front crossmember, Whining pump noise when fluid is low, Heavy steering effort, especially when cold, Burning smell from fluid hitting hot exhaust
Fix: High-pressure hose develops pinhole leaks or bursts at crimp fittings. Recall addressed some VINs but not all. Replacement is 1.5-2 hours including fluid flush. Letting it run dry damages the pump ($400+ more).
Estimated cost: $350-600
Motor Mounts (Especially Front)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay, Vibration at idle in Drive, Shifter vibration during gear changes
Fix: Hydraulic motor mounts (front and transmission mount especially) collapse internally. Front mount is 2 hours, transmission mount 1.5 hours. Not a breakdown risk but makes the car feel sloppy and accelerates other wear.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Owner tips
Check oil level every fill-up after 80k miles—this engine WILL consume oil without warning
Change ATF every 30k miles with Honda DW-1 fluid; won't prevent failure but may delay it
Budget $3k-5k for inevitable transmission work if buying higher-mileage examples
Inspect undercarriage for ATF and power steering leaks during every service
Get pre-purchase compression and leak-down test to screen for piston ring issues
Beautiful highway cruiser, but the transmission time-bomb and oil-burning engine make this a hard pass unless under 60k miles with bulletproof records—even then, budget for major repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
Consequence: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V182000
2019-03-06 · EA15001
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.
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE.
Consequence: MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · 08V091000
2008-02-27
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V551).
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Consequence: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 05V510000
2005-11-03
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ON THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM WHERE THE TWO EXTERNAL IMPACT SENSORS IS MOUNTED, NEAR THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.
Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN OR FALL OUT, THE SENSOR MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY DETECT A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DELAYED OR NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAG INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REMOVE THE BUMPER AND RETORQUE THE LOOSE BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 AND ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Vehicle Info — 2006 Acura TL
Performance
Horsepower
258hp
Torque
233lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
18mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
21mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
5seats
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
Third generation (UA6/UA7). Sedan body style, no rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2006 Acura TL 3.2L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.