Sell your 2004 Acura TL for cash

The 2004 Acura TL is a midsize car that came with a 3.2L 6-cyl engine. At 22 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2004 Acura TL at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines3.2L 6-cyl
TransmissionsManual 6-spd, Automatic (S5)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy18 city / 26–28 highway / 21 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,900 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂423 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA2 configurations
Age22 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 22 years old, most of a 2004 TL's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a midsize car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 TL. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the structure, typically around 86,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2004 Acura TL recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2004 Acura TL. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsMar 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V182000

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…

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.

SteeringFeb 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V091000

Honda is recalling 273,000 my 2004-2008 Acura TL vehicles. Prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.

Risk: Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.

VisibilityFeb 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V092000

Honda is recalling 129,600 my 2004-2005 Acura TL vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This could cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor…

Risk: If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions.

Power TrainApr 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V176000

On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.

Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.

Common 2004 TL problems

Owners have filed 551 complaints about the 2004 Acura TL with NHTSA. 13 reports involved a crash and 6 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 17 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Structure177
  • Air Bags155
  • Structure50
  • Unknown or Other49
  • Air Bags43
  • Tires40

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Structure86,000 mi
  • Air Bags104,000 mi
  • Structure98,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other117,000 mi
  • Air Bags88,000 mi
  • Tires10,000 mi

2004 Acura TL service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 123 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2004 Acura TL. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System17
  • Engine and Engine Cooling16
  • Power Train8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7
  • Service Brakes7
  • Equipment6

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2019 · DORE5C4S09

    This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being to

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2017 · BJA46167

    Sending vehicle data to tech line.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 2016 · B05-018

    Service bulletin - navigation system information.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2016 · TAKATA_FLORIDA D

    Letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at t

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2004 Acura TL.

VisibilityPE07060 · opened Nov 2007, closed Mar 2008Led to recall 08V092000

Windshield wiper motor failure

The manufacturer notified NHTSA by letter dated february 26, 2008, that a safety related recall has been initiated to correct this problem on certain model year 2004 and 2005 Acura TL vehicles.the recall affects approximately 129,600 subject vehicles manufactured between march 2003 and may 2005.the defect involves wate

Other Acura TL years

‹ Sell a 2003 TL · Sell a 2005 TL › · All Acura TL years

Other 2004 Acura models

Selling a 2004 TL: questions

How much is a 2004 Acura TL worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2004 TL that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2004 TLs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2004 TL with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Acura TL; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2004 TL?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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