A genuinely well-engineered executive sedan where the V6 is a strong point and the automatic transmission, on higher-mileage examples, is the one thing worth real scrutiny.
The TL's midsize sedan body carries the V6 comfortably, and the engine itself is rarely the source of real concern on these cars — the gearbox behind it is a different story, covered in full on its own page.
Type S versions add more power and a stiffer suspension tune, which doesn't meaningfully change the engine's reliability profile but does raise the stakes slightly on the transmission given the extra torque being passed through it.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This generation of TL is a defining application of the J35 V6. Full detail on timing belt requirements and VCM behaviour lives on the dedicated engine page.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNAcura 3.5L J35 V6 — Reliable or Not →This engine is paired with a transmission that has its own, separate reliability story worth reading.
Treat the transmission fluid history check on the linked gearbox page as mandatory here — it matters more to this car's overall reliability than anything engine-related.
Confirm the timing belt interval has been respected, since a failure here causes serious engine damage.
Test drive under both light and firmer acceleration, watching specifically for hesitation or harsh shifts from the automatic.