Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Initially, during the warranty period, in June 2009, portion of the dashboard above the passenger side airbag faded from black to a light gray indicating some sort of decomposition. The dealer dyed the plastic black again. Last year, a long crack appearred in the dashboard in the same area running from front to back. This summer a long second crack s appeared possibly outlining the contour of the passenger airbag compartment. This week, a third crack has started in the center of the dashboard. A quick search on the internet reveals that this is a common problem for owners of third generation Acura TL vehicles and May represent a material or quality issue. It is also possible that increased brittlenebritr loss of integrity of the dashboard May adversely affect the performance of the passenger airbag allowing material to be ejected when the airbag deploys. …
Two weeks ago I noticed a small (6") crack on the dashboard of my Acura TL 2006. It is located on the right side on the passenger side. Today the crack is longer ( around 12") and it seems to be wider. There is also a small (4") crack on the perforated area above the steering wheel. Even thought this is a 2006 model, it has only 47K miles. I think that neither age nor high mileage are a factor here. I used to own a corolla ce and drove it for nearly 160K miles and such thing has never happened to it. I am shocked that this is happening with a car considered luxury. My understanding was that the quality of the products used to manufacture this vehicle was higher thus the price for the same. I have read similar complaints and concerns which leads me to believe this is a defective part. Please investigate this issue. Thank you.
Dashboard began to crack around the passenger dash airbag hole. This is a known manufacturer defect. This should be a safety concern as it relates to the proper deployment of the airbag in emergency situations. Airbags are intended to be deployed through the dashboard port. That port is designed to be the path of least resistance for the airbag. Deployment of the airbag in an unempeded path is important when a successful deployment is required. The cracks in the dashboard May result in an airbag deployment deflection away from the occupant within the milliseconds required to deploy and that which maybe necessary to prevent unnecessary injury to the occupant. The cracks May also result in flying debris that could injure the occupant upon airbag deployment.
Beginning in May 2016, the dashboard of my 2016 Acura TL began to crack. The crack propagates along the air bag deployment breakaway seam located on top of the dashboard. The cracking occurs on the passenger side of my car. This is location on the dashboard that the air bag deploys in the event of a substantial collision. My concern is that dust, debris and possibly condensation or liquid can drop into the air bag compartment thereby negatively effecting the deployment of the air bag or rendering the air bag inoperable. The cracking is continuing to propagate along the seam of the air bag compartment. Eventually, the entire air bag could be completely exposed.
TL contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. While the vehicle was idling, another vehicle crashed into its front end. The air bags failed to deploy. The support bar detached from the frame of the vehicle. The road conditions were normal. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA recall # 05V510000 (air bags:frontal). A police report was filed. The purchase date and VIN were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,000. The consumer stated Acura in california will not provide investigation report to contact. Updated 08/07/07
Dashboard over the passenger side airbag split open, exposing airbag cavity. Dashboard is now further splitting and I am concerned that the airbag May be damaged by exposure to sunlight, uv rays and/or dust that May now enter the airbag cavity. Additionally, I am concerned about safety and additional debris caused by the split airbag cover in the event the airbag does deploy. I have tried to discuss this issue with Acura, but they have declined to repair the dashboard.
TL* the contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. While starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a fracture in the dashboard near the passenger side air bag. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle due to a possible air bag rupture. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who all stated that the air bag could possibly deploy. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. While the vehicle was stationary, the dashboard on the passenger side (near the air bag) fractured from the windshield down to the glove compartment. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that it was a cosmetic concern. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Several large cracks have developed on the front dash board. This include the areas in and around the part of the dash that cover the passenger side air bag. I have used no type of cleaner that would have caused this issue and have not been involved in any serious crashes. A search online shows a large number of vehicles of this make and model with similar issues.
TL* the contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that there were large cracks near the passenger side dashboard where the air bags were located. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,900.
Body complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Acura TL, 26% of the model year's 247 complaints. The component named most often is body (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Acura TL body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Acura TL, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Acura TL body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.