The Lemon Index
201220144th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: airbags
Better years to buy
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 BMW 3 Series 682013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 392013 Cadillac CTS 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2013 Acura TL
- Steering rack / power steering14 complaintsmostly at 66,000–133,000 miles (107,000–214,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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
Only 5 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.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Acura sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information in the service news, from manufacturer, regarding various issues of troubleshooting”?
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 17 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 4K to 11K miles (7K to 18K km) on the car (5 of all 17 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.
In owners' words
Received notice of recall march 2016 and have tried to make appointment with dealer courtesy Acura littleton, co and keep getting put off.
2013 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10896014
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information in the service news, from manufacturer, regarding various issues of troubleshooting
- An investigation into noise in the speaker of certain vehicles and would need to be inspected
- American honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2010-2013 mdxs, 2011-2012 rls, 2009-2014 shawd
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 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TL 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
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. 2013 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 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 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 36; 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 2013 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (71%), speed control (6%) and fuel system, gasoline (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 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 2013 Acura TL get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 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.
Does the 2013 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 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 2013 Acura TL have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2013?
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