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2012 Acura TL: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on NHTSA and EPA records. Published by Humblebee.

The 2012 Acura TL has 130 owner complaints with NHTSA, the most of any TL year from 2007 to 2014, with air bags, power train and steering named most often[1][2][3][4][5]. All 3 of its recalls replace the driver front air bag inflator for free, so checking that this work was done comes first[6][7][8].

130owner complaints[1]
3recalls[5]
20–23MPG combined (EPA)[9]
3–4★NHTSA overall rating[10]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Acura TL[1]. Of those, 3 mention a crash, and the complaints report 5 injuries and 1 death[1]. These are the component groups owners name most often:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Air bags[2] 43 50,000
Power train[3] 27 39,500
Steering[4] 25 70,500
Engine[11] 18 64,877
Electrical system[12] 11 75,000

Air bags. This group has 43 complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe waiting for the air bag recall repair because the replacement part was not in stock[2]. Others describe the air bag warning light or the passenger air bag indicator coming on when it should not, sometimes after several dealer visits or even after the recall work[2].

Power train. There are 27 complaints here, and the median mileage is the lowest of the five largest groups at 39,500 miles[3]. Owners describe hesitation, surging or shudder at light throttle, often at low speed or between the first few gears[3]. A few also describe a vibration through the gas pedal and floor at highway speed that dealers could not trace to the tires[3].

Steering. This group has 25 complaints and 1 injury[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe a power steering warning coming on and the steering assist cutting out without notice, which makes the car very hard to turn[4]. Some say it happened at highway speed[4]. Several say the dealer pointed to a new power steering module or motor[4]. If you test drive one, a steering warning on the dash is a reason to walk away or get it checked.

Engine. There are 18 engine complaints, with a median of 64,877 miles[11]. Owners in the sample describe the engine using oil faster than expected, with some put on oil consumption tests by the dealer[11]. A smaller number describe knocking or valve noise, or a loss of power while driving[11]. Checking the oil level between changes is a simple habit for any owner of this car.

Smaller groups include speed control with 6 complaints[13], wheels with 4[14] and structure with 4[15]. With counts this low, they do not point to a common problem.

Recalls

There are 3 recalls for the 2012 TL, and all of them deal with the driver front air bag inflator[6][7][8]. In each case the repair is free at the dealer.

Note that the two 2019 recalls cover parts that were themselves installed as earlier fixes[6][7]. So a car that had the first air bag repair can still need a later one. Before you buy, ask for records showing each recall repair was done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists premium fuel for every version of the 2012 TL[9][16][17].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
3.5L, Automatic (S6), front-wheel drive[9] 20 / 29 / 23 $3,550
3.7L, Automatic (S6), all-wheel drive[16] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
3.7L, Manual 6-spd, all-wheel drive[17] 18 / 24 / 20 $4,100

The front-wheel drive 3.5L is the thriftiest, at 23 mpg combined[9]. EPA's yearly cost figures use current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists two different sets of crash ratings for each drivetrain of the 2012 TL. For the front-wheel drive sedan, one set shows 4 stars overall and 4 stars frontal[18], while the other shows 3 stars overall and 2 stars frontal[19]. The all-wheel drive sedan has the same split: 4 stars overall with 4 stars frontal[10], or 3 stars overall with 2 stars frontal[20].

Every set gives 4 stars for side impact and 5 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.3%[20][10][18][19]. Our data does not say which set applies to which car, so the frontal score is the one to look into for a specific vehicle.

Engine and size

EPA test data lists the 3.5L six-cylinder at 280 hp[21] and the 3.7L six-cylinder at 305 hp[22].

The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and can differ slightly from US cars.

Spec FWD/TECH SH-AWD
Length[23][24] 194 in 194 in
Width[23][24] 74 in 74 in
Height[23][24] 57 in 57 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[23][24] 3,737 lb 3,984 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

1995: 1 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 26 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 23 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 20 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 157 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 249 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 149 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 333 complaints, 7 recalls2003: 391 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 551 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 388 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 247 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 124 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 124 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 42 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 64 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 20 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 130 complaints, 3 recalls13020122013: 62 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 17 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each TL model year. The 2012 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
199510
1996262
1997232
1998202
19991574
20002496
20011493
20023337
20033915
20045514
20053885
20062474
20071242
20081242
2009423
2010643
2011203
20121303
2013623
2014173

NHTSA has complaint and recall counts for every TL model year from 1995 to 2014[5]. Here is how 2012 sits next to nearby years:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2007[5] 124 2
2008[5] 124 2
2009[5] 42 3
2010[5] 64 3
2011[5] 20 3
2012[5] 130 3
2013[5] 62 3
2014[5] 17 3

With 130 complaints, 2012 has the most of any TL year from 2007 to 2014[5]. The 2011 has 20 and the 2013 has 62[5]. Some older years drew far more complaints, though. Every year from 1999 to 2006 has more complaints than 2012, topped by 2004 with 551[5]. Across all 20 years, 2012 has the ninth highest complaint count[5]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2012 TL?

The 2012 TL has more complaints than any TL year from 2007 to 2014, led by air bags, power train and steering[2][3][4][5]. All 3 recalls replace the driver air bag inflator for free, so the first job is to confirm each one was done[6][7][8]. In a sample of complaints, owners describe sudden loss of power steering assist and engines using extra oil[4][11], so a test drive and a check of the oil level and service records are worth the time. The 2014 and 2011 have far fewer complaints on file[5], and the frontal crash rating differs between the two NHTSA rating sets[20][10][18][19]. A well documented car with its recalls complete can be a fair buy, but it is not the lowest-complaint year of the TL.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura TL?
NHTSA complaints most often name air bags (43)[2], power train (27)[3], steering (25)[4] and engine (18)[11]. In a sample we read, owners describe loss of power steering assist and higher than expected oil use[4][11].
Does the 2012 Acura TL have airbag recalls?
Yes. It has 3 recalls, 16V061, 19V182 and 19V500, all for the driver front air bag inflator, which can rupture or explode[6][7][8]. Dealers replace the inflator for free.
What gas mileage does a 2012 Acura TL get?
EPA rates the 3.5L front-wheel drive at 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined mpg[9]. The 3.7L all-wheel drive gets 21 combined with the automatic[16] and 20 with the manual[17]. All versions use premium fuel[9][16][17].
Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?
It has 130 NHTSA complaints, the most of any TL year from 2007 to 2014, though fewer than every year from 1999 to 2006[1][5]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide.
What is the best year for the Acura TL?
By NHTSA complaint counts, the 2014 has 17 and the 2011 has 20, the lowest from 2007 to 2014[5]. Each has 3 recalls on file, the same as 2012[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Acura TL (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 43 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 27 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 25 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for TL 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,877). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for TL 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for TL 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 3 stars, frontal 2 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR 4WD: overall 3 stars, frontal 2 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Acura TL with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Acura TL with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TL 4 DR SEDAN FWD/TECH: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,737 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TL 4 DR SEDAN SH-AWD/SH-AWD TECH/SH-AWD ELITE: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,984 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.