7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
104,050 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
  2. hand free link disconnected (4 reports)
  3. disconnect radio (1 reports)
  4. use trickle charger (1 reports)
2006 Acura TL electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Acura TL:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Acura TL Owner Comments

problem #15

Dec 212016

TL NAV 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,802 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

To fix this problem by disconnecting the Hands Free Link system is absurd. No hands-free option for this vehicle due to this issue. I do not understand why they cannot figure out how to fix this and update affected TL models.

- James C., Montgomery, US

problem #14

Jun 052020

TL 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

This car has always drained the battery within two weeks of idle time. Back when I purchased the car, new, at the beginning of 2006, the sales guy told me that he has sold everything on the high end from Audi, Mercedes, and none of them drain the battery as quickly as Acura. He said they have to walk the lot and start the cars every week or so. Well, that was back in 2006. Now, the car drains the battery in 2 days. I can put my battery charger on it and after 24-48 hours the car still won't start, not even in 50A start mode of the charger. Will only start if I jump it and from that, if I drive for 20 minutes, I will have enough juice to start the next morning but it's weak. I stopped at Interstate Battery, because the battery has replacement warranty. They tested the battery and showed me it delivering over 800A and it's only a 650CCA battery. This battery drain problem started about 2 years ago but seems to have gotten much worse in the last 2 months.

- Vince R., Kyle, US

problem #13

Apr 012019

TL TL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Purchased new at dealership back in 2006. Beginning in early 2017, I felt the battery is weak. I have it replaces at Auto Zone. Early 2019, it starting getting weak again. I have it checked again back at where the battery was replaced and they said the battery is fine. Two days later it died on me in my driveway. I jump started it and drove to AutoZone and have it replaced again. But about 3 months later it died completely after not driven 5 days. I am not sure how I can pull it out from my car garage to jump or tow. It is a real pain.

- cmui99, Marietta, US

problem #12

Feb 102016

TL 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Stereo has a factory defect where the tape will get caught in the tape player and will not stop playing. The dealer will tell you it is a common problem but the customer service rep for acura will act like it has never happened before. This is a factory defect and we need them to do a recall on our cars and replace the faulty stereos cassette player with one that does not trap tapes inside and drain our batteries. Call their customer service at 1-800-382-2238 option 7 and demand they send you to a case manager and have the problem taken care of. Don't take no for an answer!!!! copy this message and send to all forums!!!

- Jason P., Clearwater, US

problem #11

Apr 012016

TL Sport 3.2L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 156,115 miles

If car was left undriven for more than two days, the battery would be drained such that it would not start engine -- noticed on this site that the in-car mobile phone system is likely culprit

- jk_13, Johnson City, US

problem #10

Oct 012016

TL 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,567 miles

BATTERY DRAIN PROBLEM. BATTERY CHECK OK. I ALSO BROUGHT A PORTABLE STARTER SO AS NOT TO BE STRANDED.

- Lorretta G., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #9

Dec 172014

TL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased the vehicle from a private party in December of 2014. A couple of weeks later, after the vehicle had been parked for a few days without use, the battery died. I thought that I was sold a vehicle with a bad battery. I discovered that anytime I parked it for a few days without use, the battery would die. It happened when I returned from an out of the country vacation, that was annoying as hell, had to jump start it after arriving back in the country at 10PM.

I searched online and discovered the problem with the hands free link. One of the ways to test it was to feel the face of the module or the windshield when parked with a charged battery, if hot or warm, that would indicate that the system was never shutting off, causing a constant drain on the battery. Sure enough, I have that issue. I have to jump start the car every week now since I have 3 and 4 day weekends and don't drive this car much during the weekend. I just joined a class action lawsuit that began in July of 2016, so we will see what happens....

- lyonscolt, Hesperia, CA, US

problem #8

Jan 012007

TL ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

My 2006 Acura TL had the battery drain problem from the second year(2007). A battery trickle charger was used when not using car. The car now has 60,000 miles, and has gone thru about ten (10) batteries. Last year the hands free module was disconnected. The battery charger went away and no more getting stranded for the last eight months. Other than this battery problem, just fill the tank with the right fuel grade, replace the oil every 4 months, and enjoy the ride.

- rollinoaks, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #7

Apr 012015

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

I have taken my car to the Acura Dealership and been told there are NO ISSUES with the car which is clearly a damn lie. Brand new battery and still anytime I don't drive the car over a weekend or even a day it will not start. This particular battery is not 30 days old. Didn't drive it Saturday went to start Sunday and its a no go. Called Geico Roadside , got a jump ...left it running for 25 minutes and again today another NO GO. Only difference today is now the back lights are flashing almost as if I have hazard light on while the freaking car is just sitting. I don't get it. I am a woman in the winter and I would LIKE TO DRIVE MY DAMN CAR ...not be stranded whenever it isn't started every day. UGHHHHHHHHHH

- sandrabmd, Randallstown, MD, US

problem #6

Mar 012013

TL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I had the car for a few years and the battery went dead. I replaced the battery and the new one was drained a few weeks later. I took the car back to my mechanic complaining about the battery which he had installed. I left the car at the shop and the mechanic called me back and said that the problem was not the battery - it was the hands free link in the car that was draining the battery. I thought that the cost to repair it was excessive when compared to the limited time that it was used, so I just had the mechanic disconnect the HFL....no more problems.

- Chris M., Cherry Hill, NJ, US

problem #5

Mar 012014

TL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a new battery & less than 4 months later the shop replaced it again. Now a year + later it is doing the same thing again. I have to get my car jumped to get it started. Sometimes it makes no noise at all & other times there is a clicking sound

Update from Mar 3, 2016: Last Month I again replaced my battery. As soon as the weather turned cold it refused to start again. Someone tested the alternator & said a Diode? was bad. I replaced the Alternator $122 (a bargain) & paid $80 to have it put on. I picked the car up yesterday afternoon & this morning it wouldn't start again. I got on line reading about it & it keeps referring to the Hands Free Module. Went on Youtube & found out how to disconnect it. I am beyond angry with all the complaints regarding this & no recall on it. I disconnected it & replaced the casing & the car started & runs like a champ right not. The only thing that won't work now is the sun roof & I never used it anyway. Im 68 years & I did it myself.

Update from Mar 4, 2016: Well, here we go again. Walked out to go to store this morning & remote unlock, lights, etc work but when I tried to start car I just got a clicking sound. Here we go again. HELP

Update from May 17, 2016: I am still having problems with the battery draining. It happened month ago, I jumped it & took it to a repair shop. They kept it for 2 days & every time they went out it started right up. Had Advance Auto run System check& battery, starter & alternator are all fine but it dd show a drain (just not where). Started fine until yesterday, no start again. Called mechanic who advised me to have it towed to them. So far they cant find anything???? BUT is reading these problems & believes it is the HFL. When I spoke with him a couple hours ago, they were running checks on it. I have ALWAYS believed it's the HGL but Acura has not issued a recall. It will cost about $400 to fix/replace this part & I don't even use it. Mechanic said it also runs other features on car.

Update from Jul 29, 2016: Vehicle continues to have same problem, It has been in & out of garages, I disconnected the HFL and it starts fine for a few days & then fails to start again. I am at wits end. Even after disconnecting the HFL it will engage?? This makes no sense. It now has 150,000 miles.

- Sherryl G., Vanceboro, NC, US

problem #4

Mar 012015

TL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I have replaced four batteries in the last few months thinking that the battery drain was due to the battery. I have had the alternator checked and everything checks out fine. This vehicle has 200K miles on it and I use it as a second car. Some days I might not start it for 4 or 5 days. When I go to start it, the battery is dead. I thought taking it to the dealership would resolve the issue. I was billed $155 for them to tell me that the battery is good. The alternator is good. They cannot locate a problem. What????!!!!

I am very disappointed. This has been a great car and I believe there are still several miles left for me to run it. I am seeing a pattern amongst other 2006 Acura TL owners and this happens to be one of the issues. I still have not resolved my issue and I am very upset about it!!!

- ynvme777, Red Oak, TX, US

problem #3

Apr 022015

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The Acura Hands Free Link (HFL) drained the battery after the car would sit for several days. The dealerships fix was to disconnect the HFL (cost me $90 to disconnect or $450 to replace) to stop the parasitic battery drain. This is the second battery I have replaced before it was due because over time it destroys the battery. This defect is not covered by Acura.

- Robert L., Lenexa, KS, US

problem #2

Dec 052014

TL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Terrible "hidden" problem in Acura TL. Was not diagnosed by two mechanics because it may be intermittent. Battery drains in 1-2 days if the car is not driven. Very aggravating: jump starts, wasted money on a new battery, paying mechanics for diagnostics, a lot of waited time, taxi on some days.

The second part is a very slow response from Acura to the complaint, although this problems seems to be well known. In four days of correspondence all I achieved is a promise that somebody would call me - pathetic.

Update from Apr 10, 2015: Diagnostics at the Acura dealership confirmed HFL was draining the battery. The problem does develops slowly. It is very possible, I have been replacing batteries prematurely, especially last time. It is not obvious at all you have to see the dealer with this problem. So, it is really hard to tell how many owners may be experiencing it to a different degree. In my case it became catastrophic. If ACURA cared about the customers they would notify them about this (and, possibly other) potential problems or, at least made customer representatives aware of it. Acura knows about this problem.

- Paul F., Brookline, MA, US

problem #1

Nov 172014

TL ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

Battery drains in three days if vehicle is not run.

- Scot K., Pearl City, HI, US

Not what you are looking for?