DecodedCars2009 Acura TL
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4 Dr Sedan Nav/Type-S
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 195.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,717 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Acura TL is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 196 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,717 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 26 highway), 3% worse than the 2009 midsize car average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2009
- New body dimensions: 6.3 in longer, wheelbase +1.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.7L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 TL →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr Sedan Nav/Type-S | 195.7 in | 74 in | 57.1 in | 109.4 in | 63 / 63.4 in | 3,717 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | -3% | $3,900 | 423 |
| TL 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Acura TL under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Acura TL (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 BMW 7 Series | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Audi A6 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Lexus GS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V500000 · 1,558 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Not every 2009 Acura TL is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Acura TL buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 19 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Acura TL. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other TL years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2013 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 58 |
| 2012 TL | 23 | 194.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 107 |
| 2011 TL | 21 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 20 |
| 2010 TL | 21 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 49 |
| 2008 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 80 |
| 2007 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 65 |
| 2006 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 128 |
| 2005 TL | 21 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 155 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →