NHTSA has 62 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Acura TL[1]. Steering leads the list with 28 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints in a handful of groups, and two of them stand out. - Steering. 28 complaints[2]. Owners describe the electric power steering suddenly going heavy while driving, often with a warning light and a beep. Some say a restart brought it back, and others needed a tow and a repair. - Air Bags. 19 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, some are about waiting for parts after a recall notice. One owner describes an air bag going off by mistake at low speed, which ended in a crash and injuries. - Electrical System. 6 complaints[7]. Owners describe a water leak that reached the wiring, plus steering and warning light problems tied to the electrics. - Power Train. 4 complaints[8]. Owners describe jerky shifting and a shaking sensation they say the dealer struggled to fix. - Structure. 3 complaints[9]. - Engine. 3 complaints[10]. - Electronic Stability Control. 3 complaints[11]. - Suspension. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 TL is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V500), June 2019. About 1,558 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V182), March 2019. About 1,101,534 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (16V061), February 2016. About 2,232,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| TL 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 20 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 |
| TL 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 |
| TL 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2013 Acura TL with 3.5L 6-cylinder[19] | 280 hp |
| 2013 Acura TL with 3.7L 6-cylinder[20] | 305 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 26 | 2 |
| 1997 | 23 | 2 |
| 1998 | 20 | 2 |
| 1999 | 157 | 4 |
| 2000 | 249 | 6 |
| 2001 | 149 | 3 |
| 2002 | 333 | 7 |
| 2003 | 391 | 5 |
| 2004 | 551 | 4 |
| 2005 | 388 | 5 |
| 2006 | 247 | 4 |
| 2007 | 124 | 2 |
| 2008 | 124 | 2 |
| 2009 | 42 | 3 |
| 2010 | 64 | 3 |
| 2011 | 20 | 3 |
| 2012 | 130 | 3 |
| 2013 | 62 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 | 3 |
NHTSA's counts for the TL show 62 complaints and 3 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 12 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 1995 (1) and the most are for 2004 (551)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 TL?
The complaint record for this model year is small but clearly centered on steering[2]. Air bag complaints come second at 19[6]. Of the 62 complaints, 1 mentions a crash and 2 mention injuries[1]. The numbers are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score. Check the recall section above and ask a seller for repair records before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Acura TL?
- Steering is the biggest group with 28 complaints[2], followed by air bags with 19[6].
- Does the 2013 Acura TL have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls for 2013[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section on this page.
- How many complaints does the 2013 Acura TL have?
- NHTSA has 62 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2013 Acura TL reliable?
- The record shows 62 complaints[1], led by steering[2] and air bags[6]. See the sections on this page for fuel and safety details.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Acura TL?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Acura TL
Compare all model years of the Acura TL
Other Acura models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 62 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Acura TL (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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
- 19 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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
- 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
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Acura TL with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Acura TL with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
- 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
- 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