Reliability AnalysisBased on known issue patterns, repair cost data, and ownership trends · How we score

2009 Acura TL Reliability ReportKeepScore 82/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid

82/ 100

KeepScore

LOW RISK

Grade: B-

A powerful, comfortable luxury sedan that offers great value, but its automatic transmission demands scrutiny.

Full system breakdown + what I would do

Quick Facts · 2009 Acura TL

  • Scores 6 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2008 Acura TL earns a 88.
  • The system most likely to surface first: automatic transmission (major severity).
  • Has 3 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module.

2009 Acura TL: Buy or Avoid?

The 2009 Acura TL, while a strong contender in the luxury sport sedan segment, represents a 'proceed with caution' scenario, primarily due to its five-speed automatic transmission. For those willing to meticulously inspect and maintain, particularly the manual SH-AWD variant, it can still be a highly rewarding and reliable purchase; however, buyers of the automatic must be diligent.

Biggest Strengths

  • Robust V6 engines (J35/J37)
  • High-quality interior materials (aside from dashboard)
  • Excellent SH-AWD system for handling

2009 Acura TL — Known Trouble Spots

The systems that break first on the 2009 Acura TL. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.

1
Automatic Transmissionmajor
2
Power Steering Systemmoderate
3
Interior (Dashboard)minor
Typical mileage, cost ranges, and the exact what-to-check list are in the full report.

Safety Recalls on the 2009 Acura TL

3 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

What breaks on the 2009 Acura TL?

Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.

OwnerKeep Passport · $499 · one-time

Just bought a 2009 Acura TL? Keep it that way.

Snap a receipt — AI logs it. Build an OwnerScore. Sell with a buyer-ready Passport dossier.

Acura TL — Year-by-Year Comparison

Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Acura TL. Click any year for its full report.

Competing 2009s Worth a Look

Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.

Relevant Products for Your 2009 Acura TL

Parts and accessories matched to your 2009 Acura TL

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Full Report

2009 Acura TL

7-system breakdown, mileage danger zones, repair cost projections, buyer checklist, and expert verdict.

Instant delivery · No account

Complete Owner's Guide

Already own one? Get the 13-chapter owner's guide with specs, service schedules, and fluid capacities.

Compare This Vehicle

Final Step

Know every issue before you sign.

A $4.99 reliability report can catch a $3,000 problem. Full breakdown for the 2009 Acura TL — delivered in under 60 seconds.

OwnerKeep Passport

Just bought a 2009 Acura TL? Keep it that way.

OwnerKeep Passport turns your Acura TL's care history into a luxury digital vault — AI-logged receipts, an OwnerScore that pays at resale, and a buyer-ready dossier in one tap.

  • AI receipt OCR — snap and log
  • Fuel & mileage tracker
  • Tri-Score OwnerScore
  • One-tap resale dossier PDF
$499 · one-time · lifetime access · no subscription