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Model-year record

2012 Acura TL
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2012 Acura TL

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

130

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

21

EPA estimate

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (30% of 130 reports), followed by power train (21%).

Air Bags30% · 39 reports
Power Train21% · 27 reports
Steering19% · 25 reports
Engine11% · 14 reports
Electrical System7% · 9 reports
Unknown Or Other3% · 4 reports
Vehicle Speed Control2% · 3 reports
Equipment2% · 2 reports

+ 7 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 130 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11477341, ODI 10894631, ODI 11694672, ODI 11453690, ODI 11316486.

Individual complaint reports(130)

Showing the 50 most recent reports
Electrical SystemFeb 2026 · ODI 11719596Details +

The vehicle has a faulty Hands free link module which runs the battery down when the vehicle is not in use. Acura has been aware of this problem since 2005. The government of this sorry ass country has done nothing about this issue except sit on their hands and accept payoffs from Acura. Acura dealers refuse to call back when this issue is mentioned. This results in money being paid for unnecessary repairs for batteries, alternators, and testing Just think if you were a handicap person who had to rely on your vehicle for medical services on a weekly basis and every time you went to your vehicle it would not start because of this issue that has been unresolved by Acura since 2005.What a national disgrace.

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Oct 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11719596 at NHTSA →
Air BagsOct 2025 · ODI 11694672Details +

Airbag light came on and remained

Reported
Oct 2025
Incident date
Oct 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11694672 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2025 · ODI 11671903Details +

Driving down the highway with my sun shade open but the actual sunroof closed and all of a sudden I just hear a loud pop and glass is all over my head and thighs. The sunroof shattered leaving me with glasses everywhere. No rock was in the sunroof when I was vacuuming the remaining parts of glass.

Reported
Jul 2025
Incident date
Jul 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11671903 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJun 2025 · ODI 11666017Details +

They changed the originality milleage of the car and sold it too expensive

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
Mar 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11666017 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemFeb 2025 · ODI 11644200Details +

Immobilizer unit (recognizes/reads chip in key fob) failure led to the car shutting off the fuel pump leading to the car shutting down. The car could not be started again leaving the driver stranded by the side of the road. Vehicle had to be towed to an Acura dealer since the electronic immobilizer unit cannot be replaced/programmed by non Acura dealers. Car has been sitting at Acura since the end of December 2024 waiting on parts.

Reported
Feb 2025
Incident date
Dec 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11644200 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJan 2025 · ODI 11636990Details +

Driving on the freeway on a particularly warm day in California with the sunroof tilted up. Heard a explosion and glass fell on top of me and my family. We pulled over to see what had happened because we didn't see any objects flying at us. Upon inspection of the vehicle we noticed that the sunroof had imploded. The glass didn't shatter all the way it looked as if something had been thrown from inside up and out of the sunroof window. A hole was blown out of it. I believe the panoramic shape of the window causes there to be a weak point in the center. Given that weak point and the weather that day it was hot outside and the sunroof was tilted upright the wind coming into the car from the sunroof and probably exiting as well may have caused a reaction between the hot weather and the cool air and imploded the window from inside the car out.

Reported
Jan 2025
Incident date
Jul 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11636990 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2023 · ODI 11520345Details +

On 4/28/2023 per Balcones Heights Police officer Ford and Officer [XXX] there is an issue with the license plate light. The light has been replaced twice, to avoid traffic stops. Police continue to cite the issue of No License plate light. There are not any warning lights on the dash board only cited by law enforcement. On 12/19/2020 Officer [XXX] with Guadelupe Sheriffs Officer issued a warning. The warning cited No License Plate Light. I took photos of the license plate light and took had the vehicle inspected by the Acura dealership. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Reported
May 2023
Incident date
Apr 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11520345 at NHTSA →
Air BagsAug 2022 · ODI 11477341 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several injuries including a head concussion. When contacted the dealer service department where recall maintenance had been performed, I was instructed to contact the airbag manufacturer. The vehicle inspected by insurance adjuster (GEICO). There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure of the airbag deploy.

Reported
Aug 2022
Incident date
Jul 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11477341 at NHTSA →
EquipmentMay 2022 · ODI 11465142Details +

unknown, i cant keep a mobil phone connected to the car bluetooth and tpms system always seems to show light as well as all the other senors. lots of parts have been tampered with

Reported
May 2022
Incident date
Dec 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11465142 at NHTSA →
Air BagsFeb 2022 · ODI 11453690Details +

Check airbag sensor keeps coming on intermittently.

Reported
Feb 2022
Incident date
Feb 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11453690 at NHTSA →
SteeringJul 2021 · ODI 11425488Details +

While driving in heavy traffic and making a right turn,the power steering screen began to blink and immediately the power steering locked up. I had to manually turn the wheel and was able to over to the side and stop. After several minutes, the wheel finally unlocked and I pulled into a parking lot where it occurred again. I turned the key on and the unlocked wheel began to work again After making it home, I checked the drivers manual and found nothing. I checked complaints and found 95 instances but no recalls. It was very frightening for this situation and dangerous. This happened on July 14,2021.

Reported
Jul 2021
Incident date
Jul 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11425488 at NHTSA →
VisibilityMar 2021 · ODI 11399907Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT HER INSURANCE COMPANY SO THEY CAN PAY FOR THE SUNROOF REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS TO VERIFY WHETHER THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Reported
Mar 2021
Incident date
Mar 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11399907 at NHTSA →
Power TrainNov 2020 · ODI 11375613Details +

THERE IS SOME JERKINESS WHEN CAR SWITCHES GEARS. READ IT COULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR BE FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE ALREADY.

Reported
Nov 2020
Incident date
Nov 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11375613 at NHTSA →
Power TrainAug 2020 · ODI 11349979Details +

HAS JUMMPY GEAR SHIFTING WHEN GEAR MOVES FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. IT FEELS LIKE GEAR SLIPS WHILE CHANGE GEAR.

Reported
Aug 2020
Incident date
Aug 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11349979 at NHTSA →
EngineMay 2020 · ODI 11325229Details +

I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT APRIL OF 2019 WITH 59920 MILES AND THE RECALL WAS NOT FIXED NOW THEY ASKED ME TO DO A TEST TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND FOURTH ONLY TO RUN UP THE MILES AND TIME FRAME TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT HAS OCCURRED FROM THE RECALL NOT BEING FIXED THERE WAS ALSO A LAWSUIT DOCUMENT SEND TO ME HOME STATING THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALL FOR FREE AND AT THIS POINT MY CAR COULD BRING DOWN ANY DAY I AM A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY THEY ARE SELLING PEOPLE DEFECTED CAR / LEMONS WITH OUT CONSEQUENCE AND NOT FIXING THE RECALL BEFORE THEY ARE BOUGHT. *TR

Reported
May 2020
Incident date
Apr 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11325229 at NHTSA →
EngineMay 2020 · ODI 11323783Details +

CAR HAS BEEN EXCESSIVELY USING OIL SINCE I BOUGHT IT. HAVE IT DOCUMENTED BY THE DEALER WHEN TAKING IT FOR OIL CHANGES ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION. CAMPAIGN IS RELEASED FOR OIL CONSUMPTION AND I AM TOLD DON'T QUALIFY B/C NOW I SUPPOSED HAVE THREE OIL LEAKS. I HAVE NEVER SAW OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES, USELESS. DIDN'T HELP ME AT ALL. FEEL THEY JUST RELEASED IT TO SHOW THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING WHEN, THEY AREN'T HELPING THE OWNERS. NOW ENGINE HAS A TICK TO IT AT 120,000 AND I AM TOLD MY REAR CAM SHAFT AND ROCKER ARMS ARE DETERIORATING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE. IT WAS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. MY REPAIR FILE IS INTO TWO FILE FOLDERS. I PAID FOR RELIABILITY AND THAT IS NOT WHAT I GOT. VERY DISAPPOINTED - THIS WAS A HORRIBLE ENGINE DESIGN, NO WONDER THEY STOP PRODUCING IT. *TR

Reported
May 2020
Incident date
May 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11323783 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMar 2020 · ODI 11316486Details +

CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM MESSAGE ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING.

Reported
Mar 2020
Incident date
Mar 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11316486 at NHTSA →
Power TrainNov 2019 · ODI 11282576Details +

THE TACHOMETER WILL HUNT UP AND DOWN A FEW HUNDRED RPM UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT HARSHLY AND ALSO SHIFTS UP AND DOWN DURING ACCELERATION AT TIMES

Reported
Nov 2019
Incident date
Nov 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11282576 at NHTSA →
Power TrainSep 2019 · ODI 11258628Details +

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUT OFF UN-COMMANDED. CAR CAME TO STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND RE-STARTED. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. CAR CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC PLACED CAR IN PARK AND RE-STARTED. DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES HOME AND PARKED IT.

Reported
Sep 2019
Incident date
Sep 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11258628 at NHTSA →
EngineSep 2019 · ODI 11257463Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. ACURA FIRST (16 HIGHLAND AVE, RT 6 SEEKONK, MA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Reported
Sep 2019
Incident date
Sep 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11257463 at NHTSA →
EngineSep 2019 · ODI 11256672Details +

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE FOR 8 MIN AT 70 MPH ON A 70 DEGREE MORNING WHEN I LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ENGINE LOST ALL COMPRESSION. THE CAR HAS 98,000 MI. I CALLED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AND THEY STATED IT HAD TO BE DIAGNOSED BY ACURA DEALER. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A BLOWN ENGINE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENED. I CALLED ACURA AGAIN AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I STATED SOMETHING UNUSUAL HAS HAPPENED AND IT SHOULD BE RESEARCHED TO UNDERSTAND WHY. ENGINES SHOULDN'T JUST FAIL. ACURA STATED THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS BEFORE THEY WOULD REVIEW THE CLAIM. I PAID THE DEALER TO TEST. THE DEALER FILLED THE SYSTEM WITH FLUIDS AND SET THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE. HE CHECKED FOR LEAKS EVERY FEW HOURS. I TOLD HIM IT WAS A SLOW LEAK AND HE HAD TO MONITOR IT CLOSELY. THE DEALER STATED HE COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUE. I CALLED ACURA AND TOLD THEM THE TEST WAS NOT CONDUCTED PROPERLY. ACURA STATED THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AND NO MORE INVESTIGATION CAN BE DONE. I ASKED ACURA WHY THEY ARE NOT HAVING THEIR FIELD TEAM REVIEW THIS INCIDENT. ACURA STATES IT'S A CUSTOMER ISSUE NOT AN ACURA ISSUE. WITHOUT CONDUCTING THE PROPER TESTING & DIAGNOSIS THAT CONCLUSION CANNOT BE MADE. ACURA REFUSES TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE DEFECT PROPERLY. ACURA REFUSES TO HAVE THEIR FIELD TECHNICIANS, WARRANTY GROUP, AND SUPPLIER REVIEW THE DEFECT, ASKS THE CUSTOMER TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ACURA'S POLICY TO NOT REVIEW MAJOR FIELD ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY IS A DANGEROUS POSITION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH A BLOWN ENGINE. ACURA'S CORPORATE STRATEGY TO SUPPRESS AN INVESTIGATION UNTIL A MAJOR INCIDENT HAPPENS CREATES A POTENTIAL RISKY PRODUCT LIABILITY WITH ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS.

Reported
Sep 2019
Incident date
Jul 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11256672 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemAug 2019 · ODI 11246385Details +

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILS AND THE CAR IS NEAR TO IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THE SYSTEM FAILING. DIFFICULT RESISTANCE IS EXPERIENCED IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND BEING STATIONARY.

Reported
Aug 2019
Incident date
Aug 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11246385 at NHTSA →
Air BagsAug 2019 · ODI 11241158Details +

MY RED AIRBAG LIGHT & MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE STATIONARY. WHEN IT COMES ON IT STAYS ON FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE NEXT. WHEN I RETURN BACK TO THE CAR TO START IT AGAIN ITS NOT ON, BUT IF I WAIT A WHILE TO GO TO ANOTHER DESTINATION THE CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT COMES BACK ON AGAIN.

Reported
Aug 2019
Incident date
Aug 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11241158 at NHTSA →
EngineJun 2019 · ODI 11221655Details +

ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION WHEN THERE ARE NO LEAKS DETECTED UNDERNEATH. THIS PAST WEEK MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I ADDED 2 QUARTS OF OIL WHEN I AM ONLY 50% THROUGH THE USE UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE.

Reported
Jun 2019
Incident date
Jun 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11221655 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2019 · ODI 11221816Details +

I HAVE RECIEVED RECALL ON TORQUE CONVERTER .SO I TOOK IN FOR SERVICE BUT ALL THEY(ACURA SERVICE)DID WAS FLUSH TRANSMISSION .MY CAR RUNNING HORIBLE IT HAD NO POWER HAD NO ACCELERATION IT JUDDER BETWEEN 35-45MPH NOISE ON BUMPY ROAD NOT SAFE IF YOU TRY TO PASS OTHER.I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES TWO DIFFERRENT DRALERSHIP90

Reported
Jun 2019
Incident date
Jun 2016
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11221816 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlMay 2019 · ODI 11208409Details +

WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AWAITING A BREAK TO ENTER INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC I SAW A GAP AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. I GENTLY PRESSED UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 1/4 DOWN AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN GENTLY PRESSED IT A LITTLE MORE AND THE CAR BOLTED FORWARD AT A DANGEROUS SPEED DIRECTLY INTO TRAFFIC WHICH COULD HAVE ALMOST KILLED ME. THIS WAS JUST ONE SITUATION, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T HAPPEN ON A PREDICTABLE BASIS AND CANNOT BE DUPLICATED WHEN DESIRED. THIS HAS HAPPED DOZENS OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION THEREFORE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SPOKE TO SOMEONE THERE AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THEIR FLEET VEHICLES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE APP ( ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR) 2 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I PRESENTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE CAR AND A COUPLE TIME AFTERWARDS OVER TIME TO GET THE SAME COMMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. LATELY IT HAS BECOME WORSE. Q#1 WHAT LAW COVERS A SITUATION WHEN AN OWNER PRESENTS THE SAME PROBLEM TO A DEALERSHIP DURING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD AND IT IS DOCUMENTED AND AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES - IS IT STILL COVERED UNDER MFG EXPENSE? BASICALLY, IF A CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR A PROBLEM UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES IS IT STILL COVERED. IN MY OPINION I BELIEVE THAT THEY DENIED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED BECAUSE THIS WOULD PROVOKE A MASSIVE RECALL THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO MAKE THEM ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. Q#2 WHAT CAN I DO AT THIS STAGE? Q#3 WHAT CAN YOU DO AT THIS STAGE TO ENFORCE THIS?

Reported
May 2019
Incident date
May 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11208409 at NHTSA →
Air BagsApr 2019 · ODI 11192833Details +

I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THE TAKATA STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, THEN IN JAN 2019 I GOT A AIRBAG WARNING 31-1 AIRBAG SYSTEM. ACURA RESET THE WARNING , BUT 3 MONTH LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN. THIS IS NOT COVERED ANYMORE, BUT I WOULD THINK ACURA WOULD HELP THERE LONG TERM CUSTOMERS.

Reported
Apr 2019
Incident date
Mar 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11192833 at NHTSA →
SteeringMar 2019 · ODI 11192595Details +

I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 ACURA WITH 20 MILES ON IT IN SEPT 2012. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN APR 2015. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE GOING DOWN A WINDING ROAD. IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT JUST TO STEER IT SLIGHTLY. ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK AND CONTROL UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. ON 3/29/2019 I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THANKFULLY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE POWER STEERING ERROR CODE WENT OFF HOWEVER WHEN I STEERED THE VEHICLE WHICH IN PARK THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT THE WHEEL TURNING. I THEN TURNED IT OFF FOR A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT SEEMS TO WORK. HOWEVER, I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING. I CALLED THE RECALL LINE FOR HONDA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FIX THEY DID IN 2015 IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

Reported
Mar 2019
Incident date
Mar 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11192595 at NHTSA →
SteeringMar 2019 · ODI 11192515Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DAVID MCDAVID ACURA PLANO (LOCATED AT 4051 W PLANO PKWY, PLANO, TX 75093, (214) 516-7503), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09459640. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Reported
Mar 2019
Incident date
Mar 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11192515 at NHTSA →
Air BagsMar 2019 · ODI 11186841Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS), THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DON CARLTON ACURA (918-664-2300, LOCATED AT 4905 S MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74145) FOR A CHECK-UP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Reported
Mar 2019
Incident date
Feb 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11186841 at NHTSA →
Exterior LightingDec 2018 · ODI 11162670Details +

HI I'M WANTING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS YEAR ACURA MAKING MODELS BREAKS BECAUSE IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN YOU GO TO PRESS THE BRAKES AND START THE CAR THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY FROZEN. ALSO WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS THE HEADLIGHTS GET DULL AND DINGY WITH WEAR IN TEAR AND GET VERY DULL CAUSING IT TO BE VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT AS WELL AS THE BODY ALL THE MOLDING ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF IS PEELING OFF THE CHROME TRIM MOLDING PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER. MY CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER I DRIVE IT EVERYDAY I GET IT A CAR WASH EVERY OTHER DAY BUT THAT SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE TOP CHROME TRIM ON THE ROOF TO START PEELING OFF AND BE COMING UNDONE FROM YOUR CAR

Reported
Dec 2018
Incident date
Oct 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11162670 at NHTSA →
SteeringDec 2018 · ODI 11161235Details +

CAME OFF WORK LAST NIGHT GOT INTO MY CAR START IT UP AND GOT A CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. PROBLEM OCCUR WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. TURN VEHICLE OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART VEHICLE AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Reported
Dec 2018
Incident date
Dec 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11161235 at NHTSA →
Power TrainDec 2018 · ODI 11160679Details +

THIS VEHICLES 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS AND SLIPS ON 3RD AND 4TH GEARS ON BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAYS. IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE CAUSE YOU COULD GET REAR ENDED CAUSE RANDOM DOWNSHIFT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FROM 65MPH TO 15MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS

Reported
Dec 2018
Incident date
Dec 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11160679 at NHTSA →
EngineOct 2018 · ODI 11144446Details +

OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE KNOCKING AND CAR FELT OUT OF POWER SPECIALLY IN LOW IN SPEED. FEW TRIPS TO ACURA BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. I END UP GETTING RID OF THE CAR AND AFTER FEW MONTHS I BOUGHT OTHER TL SAME YEAR AND MILES AND UNFORTUNATELY HAVE A SAME PROBLEM. ITS USING 70 PERCENT OF OIL WITH IN A MONTH AND AROUND 12000 MILES...SO I HAVE TO FILL UP OIL BUT MAJOR ISSUE IS WHILE I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME CAR MOVE VERY SLOW WITH ENGINE KNOCKING SOUND AND FEW TIMES GOT HONKED BECAUSE OF THE CAR COMING BEHIND ME WHEN YOU JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN AND ALSO WHEN TAKING OF FROM STOP SIGN OR AT THE LIGHT IT FELT SO SLUGGISH .THIS IS MY 6TH TL BUT I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM IN LAST 4 BECAUSE MAY BE OLDER MODEL BUT LAST 2 2012 I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM.

Reported
Oct 2018
Incident date
Oct 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11144446 at NHTSA →
Power TrainOct 2018 · ODI 11133630Details +

ON 7/20/2017, I WAS DRIVING ON I-680 S TOWARDS FREMONT CA. I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY 70 MPH. WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO PASS A CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. I HIT THE GAS PADDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. AS I FELT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER, I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR, BUT IT DOES NOT WORK, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT POPPED UP. I HAD MY INSURANCE TOWED MY CAR TO OAKLAND ACURA, AS I DID AN OIL CHANGE THERE ON 7/19/2017. AFTER AN INSPECTION, OAKLAND ACURA INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVE DOES NOT OPEN AND CLOSE NORMALLY. A VALUE ADJUSTMENT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FELT THAT IT'S PRETTY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL THE VALVES TO BE MALFUNCTION ALL AT ONCE. THUS, I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN ARE ALL THE VALVES MALFUNCTIONING, THE TECHNICIAN SAID SHOULD BE. I THEN ASKED WHETHER SUCH A PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY AN IMPROPER OIL CHANGE SINCE THEY DID MY OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE, AND I ONLY DROVE 25 MILES AFTER THE OLI CHANGE. THE TECHNICIAN SAID, "I DON'T THINK SO". I FURTHER ASKED WHETHER IT'S AN ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL, THE TECHNICIAN COMMENTED THAT THESE ENGINES LAST FOREVER. THUS, THEY DID A VALVE ADJUSTMENT FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY DID. I GOT CHARGED FOR $499 FOR THIS VALVE ADJUSTMENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I STARTED MY ENGINE (ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER), MY CAR HAS A BUBBLING NOISE. I NOTICED THAT ON MANY ACURA FORUM, MANY ACURA TL OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED OAKLAND ACURA TO LOOK INTO THIS. THE CONCLUSION THEY GAVE ME WAS INCONCLUSIVE. I WANT TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS THAT AN ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY ON A HIGH WAY. I AM NOT SURE IF IT'S AN ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM OR NOT, SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS.

Reported
Oct 2018
Incident date
Jul 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11133630 at NHTSA →
SteeringSep 2018 · ODI 11129686Details +

I OWN ACURA TL 2012. LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING I SUDDENLY SAW THE STEERING WONT TURN ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT BECAME SO HARD TO TURN THE STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. I LATER GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ACURA DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS UNIT (ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING) FAILED. I LATER DID RESEARCH ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT LOT OF ACURA TL AND TSX CUSTOMERS OF 2012 ALSO HAVE REPORTED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND MIGHT RESULT IN SEROUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL WITH SO MANY ACURA TL 2012 CUSTOMERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM? THE ACURA DEALER WHERE I GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED CHARGED ME ABOUT 1000 BUCKS TO FIX THE ISSUE WHILE IT TRULY SHOULD BE A PROBLEM THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.

Reported
Sep 2018
Incident date
Sep 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11129686 at NHTSA →
SteeringSep 2018 · ODI 11129120Details +

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAD JUST DRIVEN MY ACURA FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES AND STOPPED TO GET A BOTTLE OF WATER. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE EPS FAILURE WARNING APPEARED IN THE INFO CENTER AN A CODE 32 SHOWED UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER.. I HAD TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 700 MILES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ORDERED A NEW EPS MODULE. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR EXCEEDED $1100. I CONTACTED ACURA TO REQUEST A GOODWILL DISCOUNT SINCE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A CATROPHIC STEERING FAILURE IN ANY VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CAR IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT A CRITICAL COMPONENT PART THAT FAILS WITHIN THE FIRST 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILE IN A NEW VEHICLE IS UNCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME. I HAVE NEVER HAD A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAIL COMPLETELY. I ASKED FOR HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AND THE WOULD NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH A ENGINE SURGE, QUESTIONING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AS A CULPRIT THEY GAVE ME THE SAME BLANKET ANSWER THAT THEY HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. I FOUND THE SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE ON AN ACURA FORUM.

Reported
Sep 2018
Incident date
Aug 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11129120 at NHTSA →
SteeringAug 2018 · ODI 11123159Details +

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST CRASHED WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO STEER THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT A SMALLER WEAKER PERSON COULD HAVE CRASHED HURTING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. NO WARNING OR INDICATION IT WAS WEARING OUT. THE CAR HAS RELATIVELY LOW MILES AND ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON TIME. ACURA (HONDA) IS AWARE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY ARE EVEN WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF SOME OF THE REPAIRS. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL.

Reported
Aug 2018
Incident date
Aug 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11123159 at NHTSA →
SteeringAug 2018 · ODI 11122449Details +

ON STARTUP, POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. ERROR CODE 32-09 CAME UP WHEN TAKEN TO ACURA DEALERSHIP, AND DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE AFTER CAR WAS TOWED THERE. ISSUE REOCCURED AFTER 8 SHORT TRIPS. LOW MILEAGE ON THE CAR.

Reported
Aug 2018
Incident date
Aug 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11122449 at NHTSA →
SteeringJul 2018 · ODI 11113035Details +

ON TUESDAY, JULY 3RD, 2018, AT AROUND 8:30 AM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE WHEEL BECAME RIGID, AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE AT LEHIGH VALLEY ACURA. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE UNTIL FRIDAY, JULY 6TH AT THE EARLIEST, AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN OFF THE CAR, LET IT SIT FOR THREE MINUTES, AND RESTART BECAUSE THE COMPUTER PROBABLY JUST NEED TO BE REBOOTED. THAT CLEARED THE ISSUE. I THEN DROVE THE CAR HOME, AND KEPT THE DRIVING TO SHORT TRIPS (1-10 MILES). I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DATE ABOUT TWO WEEKS OUT JUST TO HAVE IT DOUBLE CHECKED, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE FIRST DAY THEY HAD A LOANER VEHICLE, AND I THOUGHT FOLLOWING THE SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVES ADVICE HAD FIXED AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, ON SUNDAY, JULY 8TH THE SAME INDICATOR CAME ON, AN WOULD NOT CLEAR, EVEN FOLLOWING THE EARLIER ADVICE FROM THE SERVICE CENTER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER ON MONDAY. THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED ON TUESDAY. IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING COMPONENT WHICH COST ME $1120. I ASKED WHY THIS WASN'T TREATED AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, OR A SAFETY RECALL, SINCE I HAD SEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES DESCRIBING THE SAME ISSUE IN A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE WAS TREATED SO NONCHALANTLY, AND THAT THE COMPANY PASSED THE COST THE CORRECT THE ISSUE TO THE ME (THE CUSTOMER). ALSO, I SHOULD MENTION, THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED AT THAT SERVICE CENTER (LEHIGH VALLEY ACURA), AND HAD BEEN THERE FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION A MONTH OR TWO BEFORE THIS ISSUE. I CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICE BILL IF REQUESTED. *TR

Reported
Jul 2018
Incident date
Jul 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11113035 at NHTSA →
SteeringJun 2018 · ODI 11104197Details +

THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY WIFE WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND TWO DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE EPS MODULE. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS.

Reported
Jun 2018
Incident date
Jun 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11104197 at NHTSA →
EngineJun 2018 · ODI 11099302Details +

CAR WENT IN FOR 100K SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS ALSO NEEDING VALVE ADJUSTMENT. WHILE VALVES WERE BEING ADJUSTED A BAD CAMSHAFT WAS IDENTIFIED AS CAUSE OF NOISE. I PAID TO HAVE CAMSHAFT REPLACED BUT HAVE BEEN IN AUTOMOTIVE FIELD 50 YEARS SO I KNOW UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM.. I ASKED FOR THE OLD PARTS AFTER THE REPAIR. INSPECTION OF THE OLD CAMSHAFT SHOWED ONLY ONE LOB HAD UNUSUAL WEAR WHICH AGAIN IS UNUSUAL. I DID A ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST ON THE SUSPECT LOBE AND THE VERY NEXT LOBE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN HARDNESS. THE NON WORN LOB WAS 47.9C AND THE FAILED LOB MEASURED 42C. I LOOKED ON LINE AND NOTICED MANY OTHER ACURA/HONDA OWNERS HAD POSTED MESSAGES ABOUT THE SAME FAILURES. I CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GAVE THEM THIS SAME INFORMATION. ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL LETTING ME KNOW THEY DIDN'T,T FEEL RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I USED A HONDA DEALER FOR THE REPAIR RATHER THAN AN ACURA DEALER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE THE SECOND EXCUSE BECAUSE THE ENGINES IN BOTH THESE VEHICLES ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME

Reported
Jun 2018
Incident date
Mar 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11099302 at NHTSA →
SteeringMay 2018 · ODI 11093624Details +

WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BECAME TIGHT AND COULDN'T MOVE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE

Reported
May 2018
Incident date
May 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11093624 at NHTSA →
SteeringApr 2018 · ODI 11090803Details +

STEERING WHEELS SEEMS TO CATCH ON TURNS, BRAKES RAISES SOME CONCERN AT TIMES.

Reported
Apr 2018
Incident date
Jun 2017
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11090803 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemApr 2018 · ODI 11088624Details +

THE RADIO GETS STRUCK ON A CHANNEL. IT WILL NOT TURN OFF OR SWITCH TO SATELLITE RADIO. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING BUT CONTINUES EVEN WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. IT WILL JUST RANDOMLY START FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. NO PATTERN.

Reported
Apr 2018
Incident date
Apr 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11088624 at NHTSA →
SteeringApr 2018 · ODI 11082426Details +

WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT THE EPS (ELEC POWER STEERING) LIGHT CAME ON AND NO POWER STEERING WAS AVAILABLE. DROVE TO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED CAR OFF/ON WITH NO EFFECTS ON THE ERROR CODE. WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER CAR TO THE DEALER AND AWAITING A EPS MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL ACURA BASED ON OTHER REPORTS.

Reported
Apr 2018
Incident date
Mar 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11082426 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMar 2018 · ODI 11079725Details +

VIN NUMBER DON'T FIND

Reported
Mar 2018
Incident date
Mar 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11079725 at NHTSA →
EngineJan 2018 · ODI 11066167Details +

MY VEHICLE IS BURNING 1QT OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THAT AMOUNTS TO 3QTS EVERY 3000MILES. WITH NO REMEDY IN SITE.

Reported
Jan 2018
Incident date
Mar 2015
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11066167 at NHTSA →
SteeringJan 2018 · ODI 11063234Details +

WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN ELECTRONIC POWER SYSTEM FAILED ON CAR MAKING IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

Reported
Jan 2018
Incident date
Jan 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11063234 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJan 2018 · ODI 11058377Details +

I HAVE HAD MY 2012 ACURA TL TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THE TECH ABOUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR BEING DISPLAYED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THAT ONE REASON ONE TIME AND THE OTHER 2X'S, I JUST MENTIONED IT AS I GOT MY OIL CHANGE AND CABIN FILTER. NOTHING OR NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT; HOWEVER IT KEEPS BLINKING OFF AND ON. I HAVE SOMEONE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR A LOT AND I HOPE THAT IT IS NOT A DEFECT IN AIRBAG THAT WOULD INJURE SOMEONE. I HOPE IT WOULD DEPLOY IF IT NEEDED TO. I HAVE 60,000 MILES AND HAVE HAD SOOOOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. JUST HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR (FIRST TIME)AND BATTERY(FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS). ACURA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AS IT IS ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY. IN WARRANTY ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GREAT. OUT OF WARRANTY'THEY DON'T REALLY CARE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Reported
Jan 2018
Incident date
Jan 2014
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11058377 at NHTSA →

This page shows the latest 50 reports to keep it usable. The count above includes every complaint NHTSA has returned for this model year.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Air BagsJun 2019 · 19V182000Details +

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.

Remedy: 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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Air BagsMar 2016 · 16V061000Details +

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.

Remedy: 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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Air Bags · 19V500000Details +

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.

Remedy: 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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Acura TL 4 DR FWD Early Release NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Early Release NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Later Release NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
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Rollover

2012 Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later Release NHTSA source

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Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
TL 2WD3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive202923
TL 4WD3.7L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive182621
TL 4WD3.7L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive182420

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

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Compare the year-by-year record

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2012 Acura TL: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Acura TL?

Owners filed 130 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Acura TL. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Acura TL?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (30% of complaints) and power train (21%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Acura TL have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Acura TL, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Acura TL between 20 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.