2012 Acura TL: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / acura / tl
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-19)
complaints130 on file (2012-04-12 → 2026-02-21)
recalls3
investigations1
fars38 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Engine oil consumption and internal engine wearENGINE10 complaints2015-05 → 2020-05tl-2012-engine-oil-consumption
  • 10807119 EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION HAS NOW LED TO 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS (THIS IS THE CARS 3RD ENGINE, ORIGINAL PLUS 2 REPLACEMENTS). I HAVE HAD 3 OIL CONSUMPTION TEST (OCT), ALL SHOWING THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CONSUMPTION
  • 10981051 ENGINE IS MISSING A PISTON RING ON ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WAS OVERLOOKED IN FACORY. CAUSING CAR TO CONSUME 0VER 80% OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES
  • 10994223 EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS. MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM ACURAZINE WEBSITE HAS DISCUSSION THREADS ABOUT THIS DEFECT
Vibration through steering wheel and floor at highway speedVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, WHEELS5 complaints2012-05 → 2013-02tl-2012-highway-speed-vibration
  • 10459240 WITHIN A FEW DAYS I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE CAR REACHED 70 MPH A PERSISTENT HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION CAME UP THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR AND IN PARTICULAR THROUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL
  • 10496536 WAS BACK AT DEALER ON 01/26/2012 DUE TO A WEIRD VIBRATION AT HIGH SPEEDS (50-80 MPH). LONG STORY SHORT THEY HAVE BALANCED THE TIRES LIKE 3 TIMES AND PUT NEW TIRES BUT IT IS STILL VIBRATING NOT AS MUCH BUT STILL
  • 10493791 THE CAR VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 AND 80 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE FLAT SPOTTED OR WHEELS ARE OUT OF BALANCE. THE WHEELS AND TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AS OK
Panoramic sunroof glass shattering while drivingUNKNOWN OR OTHER3 complaints2021-03 → 2025-07tl-2012-sunroof-glass-shatter
  • 11671903 Driving down the highway with my sun shade open but the actual sunroof closed and all of a sudden I just hear a loud pop and glass is all over my head and thighs. The sunroof shattered leaving me with glasses everywhere
  • 11636990 Driving on the freeway on a particularly warm day in California with the sunroof tilted up. Heard a explosion and glass fell on top of me and my family. We pulled over to see what had happened because we didn't see any objects flying at us
  • 11399907 THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD EXPLODED
Accelerator pedal hesitation before sudden surgeVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 complaints2012-12 → 2019-05tl-2012-accelerator-pedal-hesitation
  • 11208409 WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AWAITING A BREAK TO ENTER INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC I SAW A GAP AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. I GENTLY PRESSED UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 1/4 DOWN AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED
  • 10913739 WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED
  • 10682302 THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A HESITATION OR LAG WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGED FORWARD IN A VIOLENT MANNER. THE CONSUMER STATED IT OCCURRED MORE OFTEN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 8 TO 17 MPH
Electric power steering module failureSTEERING23 complaints2012-12 → 2021-07tl-2012-eps-steering-loss
  • 11123159 THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST CRASHED WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO STEER THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT A SMALLER WEAKER PERSON COULD HAVE CRASHED HURTING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS
  • 11104197 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
  • 11122449 ON STARTUP, POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. ERROR CODE 32-09 CAME UP WHEN TAKEN TO ACURA DEALERSHIP, AND DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE AFTER CAR WAS TOWED THERE. ISSUE REOCCURED AFTER 8 SHORT TRIPS. LOW MILEAGE ON THE CAR
Takata airbag recall replacement delayAIR BAGS31 complaints2016-04 → 2019-04tl-2012-takata-airbag-recall-delay
  • 10916329 TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED NOTICE IN MARCH 2016 THAT MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED MY SERVICING DEALER MONTHLY SINCE THEN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT AM CONTINUALLY TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT FOR MY VEHICLE IS NOT YET
  • 10894631 TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION
  • 10898501 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BACK IN MARCH ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BUT THE DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART. I'M CURRENTLY PREGNANT WITH A 3 YEAR OLD AND WE ARE RIDING AROUND IN A CAR WITH A RECALL NOTICE
Torque converter judder and harsh automatic shiftingPOWER TRAIN17 complaints2013-12 → 2020-11tl-2012-torque-converter-judder
  • 10760897 THIS IS A *WELL DOCUMENTED* PROBLEM WITH ACURA TORQUE CONVERTERS AFFECTING THE 4TH GENERATION TL WITH THE 5-SPEED AUTO--SO MUCH SO THAT A TSB LETTER WAS SENT OUT
  • 10807770 THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL ON 4TH GENERATION ACURA TL'S WITH THE 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION (MINE IS A 2012 SH-AWD TECH PACKAGE). MY CAR PRODUCES THE TACHOMETER JUMPING APPROXIMATELY 300-500 RPM WHEN CRUISING IN 5TH GEAR AROUND 35-45 MPH
  • 10850496 TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. STALL WHEN PASSING AT 35-40 MPH. WIDESPREAD PROBLEM
Airbag warning light illumination without recall repairAIR BAGS7 complaints2012-11 → 2025-10tl-2012-airbag-warning-light
  • 10486025 PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS (LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED IT ON CELL PHONE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND SENT TO RALLEYE ACURA DEALERSHIP) ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER IS SEATED
  • 11241158 MY RED AIRBAG LIGHT & MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE STATIONARY. WHEN IT COMES ON IT STAYS ON FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE NEXT
  • 10730435 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1302012-04-122026-02-2130AIR BAGS:43; POWER TRAIN:27; STEERING:25; ENGINE:18; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:11

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
19V18200006/03/2019AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEHonda (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.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.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.
19V50000027/06/2019AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEHonda (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.An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.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.
16V06100003/02/2016AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEHonda (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.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.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA19001closedElectrical overstressAIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE2019-04-192024-09-1920V024The 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 mount

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202438legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Acura TL vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/acura/tl
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_acura_tl_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Acura TL},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/acura/tl}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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