VehicleVerdict

2012 Acura TL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Acura TL sits mid-pack among TL years: 162 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 162, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 43 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

162

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other TL years?

TL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Acura TL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4327%
Transmission2717%
Steering2515%
Engine1811%
Electrical System159%
Other64%
Speed Control64%
Brakes42%
Body & Structure42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Seats21%
Fuel System21%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension21%
Lighting11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2012 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.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 25, 2022 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 21, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 30, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 1, 2019

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 21, 2018

2012 Acura TL — common questions

Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?

It is close to typical for the TL: 162 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2012 TL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (43 complaints), transmission (27 complaints), steering (25 complaints).

Does the 2012 Acura TL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Acura TL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

How safe is the 2012 Acura TL?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Acura TL earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.