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2012 Acura Tl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Acura Tl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

82 reports with mileage · 48 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Steering complaints

25 reports
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69,000 miles · May 14, 2018
Air BagsSteering

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

NHTSA ODI #11093624

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2018
Service BrakesSteering

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

NHTSA ODI #11090803

93,400 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Steering

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11082426

121,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #11063234

58,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
SteeringInjury

ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING INTERNAL FAILURE *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #11046112

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2017
Steering

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM" WARNING CAME ON. I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND FELT I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH CONTROL ANY LONGER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED ASIDE AND TRIED TO SEARCH FOR THE WARNING. I TOOK IT TO MY ACURA DEALER AND WAS QUOTED $1200 TO FIX THE EPS MODULE. I WAS SHOCKED BY THE …

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM" WARNING CAME ON. I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND FELT I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH CONTROL ANY LONGER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED ASIDE AND TRIED TO SEARCH FOR THE WARNING. I TOOK IT TO MY ACURA DEALER AND WAS QUOTED $1200 TO FIX THE EPS MODULE. I WAS SHOCKED BY THE COST AND HOW QUICKLY THE SYSTEM FAILED. MY CAR IS 2012 ACURA TL WITH ABOUT 95K MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF MY OTHER CARS. I HAVE OWNED TWO ACURA IN THE PAST. WITH THIS ISSUE, I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HONDA/ACURA. DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE TO BEAR THIS COST...BUT RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

NHTSA ODI #11042057

103 miles · Oct 10, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE "ELETRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM" LIGHT WENT ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER AT ALL. I HAD TO USE ALL MY ENERGY ALONG WITH BODY WEIGHT TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SO THAT I COULD PARK ALONG THE CURB. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRYI…

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I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE "ELETRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM" LIGHT WENT ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER AT ALL. I HAD TO USE ALL MY ENERGY ALONG WITH BODY WEIGHT TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SO THAT I COULD PARK ALONG THE CURB. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANE. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOOK ME THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE 32-09 (POWER STEERING MODULE FAILURE). THEY QUOTED ME $900. VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA AND ACURA. IT CAN BE LIFE THREATEN ISSUE TO SOME PEOPLE.

NHTSA ODI #11032736

95,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Steering

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AT 60 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILURE NOTIFICATION WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CONSOLE. IMMEDIATELY I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT IT. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC REPEATED THE PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939717

60,000 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Steering

CAR IS 4.5 YEARS OLD, TROUBLE FREE. DROVE CAR AT NOON, NO PROBLEM. LEFT WORK AT NIGHT WITH TEMP 8C AND CAR STARTED. COMPUTER SHOWED POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED IT. PS THEN WORKED. STOPPED/RESTARTED 4-5 TIMES, NO PROBLEM. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NO…

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CAR IS 4.5 YEARS OLD, TROUBLE FREE. DROVE CAR AT NOON, NO PROBLEM. LEFT WORK AT NIGHT WITH TEMP 8C AND CAR STARTED. COMPUTER SHOWED POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED IT. PS THEN WORKED. STOPPED/RESTARTED 4-5 TIMES, NO PROBLEM. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NO APPARENT PROBLEM, NO FLUID SPRAYED AROUND ETC.

NHTSA ODI #10926042

34,900 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THE EPS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING A ROADWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THE EPS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING A ROADWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,900.

NHTSA ODI #10924613

Official recalls

3

19V500000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jun 27, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

19V182000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 6, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

16V061000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 3, 2016

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

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.