Acura TL problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 150 owner complaints and 4 recalls on file for the Acura TL (2005–2014). The 2005 TL has the most serious complaints, most often about airbags.

Complaints
150
Recalls
4
Model years
10
Worst year
2005

Complaints by model year

35200525200610200719200822009720106201117201225201342014
NHTSA complaints per Acura TL model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Acura TL years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2005 Acura TL — 35 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Airbags
  2. 2013 Acura TL — 25 complaints; top problem: Steering
  3. 2006 Acura TL — 25 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Steering

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2009 (2 complaints).

Every Acura TL model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2014 TL40003Engine
2013 TL250013Steering
2012 TL171013Airbags
2011 TL60103Engine
2010 TL70103Airbags
2009 TL20003Electrical System
2008 TL191311Steering
2007 TL101001Airbags
2006 TL250101Steering
2005 TL352121Airbags

Most common Acura TL problem areas (all years)

  • Steering
    43 complaints
  • Airbags
    42 complaints
  • Electrical System
    21 complaints
  • Engine
    18 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    15 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    14 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    9 complaints
  • Brakes
    9 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    7 complaints
  • Suspension
    6 complaints

Complaint trend

20202021202220232025
Complaints about the Acura TL received by NHTSA each month.

Acura TL recalls

  • Recall 19V500000Jun 27, 20191,558 vehiclesModel years 2009–2014

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V182000Mar 6, 20191,101,534 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V061000Feb 3, 20162,232,187 vehiclesModel years 2009–2014

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 12V222000May 17, 2012625,762 vehiclesModel years 2007–2008

    Risk: If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Other Acura models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology