The Lemon IndexAcura TL reliability.
Is it reliable? Yes, very. About half as many complaints as the average car.
One of the most reliable · 2010–2013
20134th generation
Engines & versions
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Acura TL videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2010.
Years to avoid
None.
No Acura TL year drew much more than the average car's complaints.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/" title="Acura TL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tl/">Lemon Index</a> (Acura TL reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Acura TL.
Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →
Quick answers.
Is the Acura TL reliable?
Yes, very. It draws about half as many complaints as the average car. Fewest complaints: 2010.
Is the Acura TL a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2013: Lemon Index 46; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2010 drew the fewest complaints since 2010 and 2012 the most.
What are the best Acura TL years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold since 2010: 2010, 2013, 2012. 2010 drew the fewest.
What Acura TL years should you stay away from?
No Acura TL year drew much more than an average car's complaints.
How many recalls does the Acura TL have?
63 safety recalls across the 14 model years we track. Most: 2002 (7), 2005 (7), 2000 (6). Each year's page lists them, and every Acura TL recall is in one list here.
What are the most common Acura TL problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, tires and airbags most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 70 | about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car | 52 | airbags (38%) | 6 | — | — |
| 2001 | 92 | about average | 68 | transmission & drivetrain (79%) | 3 | — | — |
| 2002 | 303 | about 3 times the average car's complaints | 188 | transmission & drivetrain (74%) | 7 | — | — |
| 2003 | 271 | about 3 times the average car's complaints | 125 | transmission & drivetrain (65%) | 5 | — | — |
| 2004 | 136 | about one and a half times the average car's complaints | 90 | tires (51%) | 6 | — | 21 |
| 2005 | 74 | about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car | 40 | tires (40%) | 7 | — | 21 |
| 2006 | – | too few complaints to score | 16 | airbags (19%) | 6 | — | 21 |
| 2007 | 41 | a bit under half as many complaints as the average car | 21 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 4 | — | 20–21 |
| 2008 | – | too few complaints to score | 19 | body structure (26%) | 4 | — | 20–21 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 7 | visibility (71%) | 3 | — | 20–21 |
| 2010 | 31 | about a third as many complaints as the average car | 12 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 3 | — | 20–21 |
| 2012 | 47 | about half as many complaints as the average car | 34 | transmission & drivetrain (35%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 20–23 |
| 2013 | 36 | about a third as many complaints as the average car | 17 | airbags (71%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 20–23 |
| 2014 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 12 | airbags (67%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 20–23 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: en.wikipedia.org. How it works
Know someone shopping for a used car?
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data