The Lemon Index
201020134th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
34 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 BMW 3 Series 242012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 192012 Lexus IS 16
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2012 Acura TL
- Steering rack / power steering13 complaintsmostly at 69,000–95,000 miles (111,000–153,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura TL (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 500 and 30,000 miles (804–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
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.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Acura sent dealers 114 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “American honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2010-2013 mdxs, 2011-2012 rls, 2009-2014 shawd”?
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 34 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 0K to 30K miles (1K to 48K km) on the car (30 of all 34 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 114 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- American honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2010-2013 mdxs, 2011-2012 rls, 2009-2014 shawd
- Engine oil consumption may be exceeding client expectations
- Dealer messages - american honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2010-2013 mdxs, 2011-2012 rls,…
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
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Early Release | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TL 4 DR FWD Early Release | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,250–$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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 47; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (35%), engine (18%) and steering (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 Acura TL get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Acura TL safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 500 and 30,000 miles (804–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 35% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Acura TL cost in fuel a year?
About $3,250 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Acura TL have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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