Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 TL.
The 2004 Acura TL, a passenger car, uses 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 oil and delivers EPA fuel economy of 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg, paired with an automatic S5 transmission. Its reliability record, however, shows 551 total owner complaints—the highest among the model’s 1995–2014 history—with structure as the top complaint area and six recalls, placing this model year as the most problematic in the lineup.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 189.4 in |
| Overall width | 72.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3494 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.8 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TL of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.60 sec | 14.30 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.40 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.25 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.80 sec | 14.50 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.44 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.78 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.2 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | Acura part number 08798-9031-A |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.6 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Honda |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.21 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.00-4.50 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 56.0-64.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.006-0.007 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.007-0.008 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 41 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 80 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.004 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.35 in |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Federal data places the 2004 Acura TL at the apex of a steep complaint escalation, with 551 complaints representing the highest volume in the entire 1995–2014 record and a sharp rise from the 397 logged in 2003. While recalls held steady at six and investigations dropped from four to one, the subsequent years show a clear retreat: 2005 fell to 387 complaints, 2006 to 247, and 2007–2008 bottomed out at 124, indicating that 2004 marked the crest of this cycle’s reported issues. The leading complaint categories for 2004—Structure, Air Bags/Structure, Air Bags, and Power Train—accounted for a substantial share of the total, though the data does not specify underlying root causes. With complaint volume, crash reports (13), and fire reports (6) all clustering at this peak, prospective buyers are looking at the statistically most reported-upon year in the dataset rather than a settled midpoint. Given the downward trajectory that follows 2004, a later model year would offer markedly lower complaint exposure, making 2004 a less favorable candidate for purchase within this generation.
All 551 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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…
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… 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…
Showing 5 of 123 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORE5C4S09 | 2019-07-11 | Suspension | This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of… |
| BJA46167 | 2017-01-01 | Equipment | Sending vehicle data to tech line. |
| B05-018 | 2016-11-23 | Equipment | SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION. |
| TAKATA_FLORIDA D | 2016-08-29 | Air Bags | LETTER SENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT… |
| B98015 | 2016-03-18 | Equipment | Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.