The Lemon Index
200920124th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (4th generation).
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 BMW 3 Series 322010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 262010 Lexus IS 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V500000 (airbags), 19V182000 (airbags) and 16V061000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Acura sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Vsa system indicator is on with no dtc stored; mid indicates check hill start assist system”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 41K miles (37K to 66K km) on the car (9 of all 12 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vsa system indicator is on with no dtc stored; mid indicates check hill start assist system
- Acura is announcing two warranty extensions for model year 2009-2011 acura tl vehicles
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 a…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 containi.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,600–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TL year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Acura TL reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), speed control (25%) and engine (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Acura TL have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Acura TL get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Acura TL have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Acura TL year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Acura TL years within 3 model years of it.
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works