Recently purchased a 2009 TL sh-awd automatic. This is my 3rd TL, it is a whole different world from the 2000 TL that I have been driving for the last 8 years. It does have a rebuilt title from an accident about 1.5 years ago; apparently it received moderate damage according to the vehicle history report.

The odometer, trip meter, fuel mileage, ect does not work on the dash. The odometer just has "------". The ECU does not have any recorded miles when I look at the live data with my OBDII scanner. The speedometer works fine, there are no stored fault codes, and the car runs great. Apparently it had 40K miles when it was purchased by the previous owner in 2023, and the oil change sticker says it had 54K miles in Feb 2024. Any ideas on what could be the problem? Thank you!

 

My best theory is that the ECU was replaced or flashed, and the mileage was not corrected. Does anyone know what the process is to determine the mileage if this is the case? Do regular mechanics have the capability to correct the mileage or will I have to take it to the Acura dealership? Can I register/title the car if the mileage is unknown? Thank you!

 

Dealership diagnosed the problem as a faulty gauge cluster... not worth fixing since the car has been driven since and the true mileage can't be determined.

 

AFAIK in California a car can be registered as "true mileage unknown". But that certainly would lower the value of the car when you go to sell it, though a salvage title has already done that.