1999 Acura TL
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 60 of 157 complaints (38%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 20 in 1998 to 157 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,100 | 3,900–4,100 | 3,900 | 3,900 | 3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 19–20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 22–23 | 17 / 22–23 | 17 / 25 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–468 | 444–468 | 444 | 444 | 444 | |
| Complaints filed | 23 | 20 | 157 | 249 | 149 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Acura TL have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Acura TL?
Electrical: 60 of 157 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Acura TL get?
EPA rates it 20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Acura TL?
EPA estimates $3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 37 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 60 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V026000 · Jan 21, 2020
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 05V025000 · Jan 31, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.
Consequence: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 03V423000 · Oct 30, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 02V120000 · May 20, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.