VehicleVerdict

2010 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Acura TL sits mid-pack among TL years: 75 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 163, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 45% of all reports (34 of 75), far ahead of transmission at 10.

75

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other TL years?

TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted766 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 33 complaints1997: 29 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 197 complaints2000: 325 complaints2001: 163 complaints2002: 403 complaints2003: 466 complaints2004: 766 complaints2005: 550 complaints2006: 342 complaints2007: 167 complaints2008: 181 complaints2009: 51 complaints2010: 75 complaints2011: 23 complaints2012: 162 complaints2013: 73 complaints2014: 17 complaints
TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3445%
Transmission1013%
Tires & Wheels57%
Engine45%
Speed Control45%
Body & Structure34%
Other34%
Brakes34%
Seat Belts23%
Electrical System23%
Steering11%
Seats11%
Fuel System11%
Driver Assistance11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2010 Acura TL have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V500000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 1,558 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V182000AirbagsMarch 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V061000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING WRECK GOING 35 MPH IN RAIN.. HIT BREAKS AND CAR SLID. DAMAGE WAS TO LEFT FRONT BUMPER ON DRIVERS SIDE.... INSURANCE COMPANY DIDN'T TOTAL CAR IN FIRST CLAIM AND CAME BACK ADDING ANOTHER 1000 TO CLAIM WHICH WOULD HAVE TOTALED CAR ALL TOGETHER.. NOW I CAN'T TRADE AND VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 22, 2015 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL. CAR WAS T-BONED BY A VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY IN PASSENGER SIDE HARD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE BOTH DOORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND CAUSED ENOUGH FRAME DAMAGE THAT CAUSED THE FRAME TO BE PULLED AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL TO BE REPLACED FROM THE ROCKER PANEL UNDER THE RIGHT REAR DOOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 7, 2017 · crash

“AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING WRECK GOING 35 MPH IN RAIN.. HIT BREAKS AND CAR SLID. DAMAGE WAS TO LEFT FRONT BUMPER ON DRIVERS SIDE.... INSURANCE COMPANY DIDN'T TOTAL CAR IN FIRST CLAIM AND CAME BACK ADDING ANOTHER 1000 TO CLAIM WHICH WOULD HAVE TOTALED CAR ALL TOGETHER.. NOW I CAN'T TRADE AND VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 22, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE LUNGED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 31, 2012 · crash

“ENGINE CONSUMES ONE (1) QUART OF OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 4,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. IF YOU FOLLOW THE OIL LIFE MINDER (PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL) AND CHANGE THE OIL WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHTS UP (TYPICALLY AROUND 7,000 MILES) THE ENGINE OIL IS WELL BELOW THE NORMAL DIPSTICK OPERATING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 9, 2010

2010 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2010 Acura TL reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 75 NHTSA complaints, below the typical TL year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2010 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (34 complaints), transmission (10 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints).

Does the 2010 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura TL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TL years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2006, 2000. The cleanest record among TL years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.