Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
TL* the contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. While stationary, the rearview mirror developed a bubble that obstructed and distorted the view of the road behind. Acura north scottsdale in scottsdale, arizona was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the four year warranty was out of date and that the repair would not be covered. The failure mileage was 58,500.
TL contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the windshield wipers failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 08V092000 (visibility). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was parked in an automatic carwash when my driver side airbag started dripping water on me. I'm afraid this could cause my airbag to deploy. I've also experienced crazy electrical issues intermittently that are not safe and I wonder if this is related. I also have a video if that is needed.
Fluid in rear view mirror that acts as anti-glare, liquefied and leaked out of mirror casing. Anti-glare capability no longer exists, making night vision via rear view mirror to be obscured by brightness of headlights of other vehicles, liquid also very viscous and difficult to remove.
1. Recall campaign id# 08V092000 - 2004-2005 Acura TL (windshield wiper motor); manufacturer report date: February 25, 2008 2. As per Acura, a wiper motor kit was installed June 27, 2008 on my 2004 Acura TL. 3. On September 11, 2009 my windshield wipers became inoperable. I contacted the dealership and Acura client services immediately. I made an appointment to take my vehicle to the Acura dealership and was told that I would have to pay for the repair since the "recall" was complete. Although, the wiper motor kit was installed (June 27, 2008) as a preventive measure by the dealership, the wiper motor kit did not prevent my windshield wiper motor from the corrosion as mentioned in the defect notice, owner notification letter (part 577), recall acknowledgement and recall summary. The dealership ruled the repair on September 12, 2009 due to "wiper motor electrical fault".
Rear view mirror began to discolor, changes colors, and continues to make various formations within the glass. Additionally, the mirror has clouded. In researching the issue, internet articles and the dealers indicate that the mirror contains gas and fluids that diminish glare at night, but fails due to heat within the vehicle. If I do not remove and replace the mirror, the mirror supposedly will start to leak corrosive fluids onto the interior portions of the vehicle and the mirror itself has the potential to explode. So, we have a known issue; a non-functioning rear view mirror; and a part that has the potential to injure vehicle occupants...
TL* the contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. While driving in rainy weather conditions the window wipers became inoperative without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to an electrical circuit shortage in the window wiper system motor. The vehicle was previously repaired according to recall campaign id number 08V092000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor). However, the remedy repair did not remedy the failure. The failure and current mileages were 95,098.
Windshield cracked while making a right turn onto a freeway. After inspection to the windshield Acura said a small stone had nicked the windshield causing it to break. Acura paid half the cost of replacement but I was still $330 out of pocket. After checking around with other 2004 Acura TL owners I m not alone. Many owners are reporting broken windshields in the first few thousand miles. Many owners believe that the problem is a sound barrier sandwiched in-between the two layers of glass. Source Acura-TL.com.
TL* the contact owns a 2004 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the windshield wipers were activated and then failed to operate. The contact continued to drive with caution. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08V092000 (visibility). The failure recurred a few years later after the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired for most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
There is a defect in the magna donnelly rear view mirrors in most Acura cars. I had a 2001 cl and the rear view mirror exploded and melted the console. Thank god I was not in the car at the time. Now I have just bought a 2004 Acura TL and the mirror had already exploded and made melt marks on the console. These mirrors are defective and dangerous. How come Acura can still put them in their cars? How come magna donnelly is still making them and noone has sued them? We need a class action suit for this asap!
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Honda is recalling 129,600 my 2004-2005 Acura tl vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a snorkel tube will be added to the wiper motor breather port to prevent water from entering the wiper motor…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper motor failure
The manufacturer notified NHTSA by letter dated February 26, 2008, that a safety related recall has been initiated to correct this problem on certain model year 2004 and 2005 Acura tl vehicles.the recall affects approximately 129,600 subject vehicles manufactured between March 2003 and May 2005.the defect involves water intrusion into the wiper motor housing that May result in corrosion and failure of a circuit…
Window & Wiper complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2004 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2004 Acura TL, 4% of the model year's 551 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Acura TL window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-092 (motor, Feb 27, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TL window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.