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Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 130 owner complaints for the 2012 Acura TL. Most complaints involve air bags (43) and power train (27). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3–4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
3–4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
130
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (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.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V061000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

130 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2012 – Feb 2026
  1. Air bags43
  2. Power train27
  3. Steering25
  4. Engine18
  5. Electrical system11
  6. Vehicle speed control6
  7. Structure4
  8. Service brakes4
  9. Wheels4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each TL model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

43 reports2 crashes
“In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several injuries including a head concussion. When contacted the dealer service department where recall maintenance had been performed, I was instructed to contact the airbag manufacturer. The vehicle inspected by insurance adjuster (GEICO). There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure of the airbag deploy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2022Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 11477341

Power train

27 reports
“THE TACHOMETER WILL HUNT UP AND DOWN A FEW HUNDRED RPM UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT HARSHLY AND ALSO SHIFTS UP AND DOWN DURING ACCELERATION AT TIMES”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2019Power trainODI 11282576

Steering

25 reports
“While driving in heavy traffic and making a right turn,the power steering screen began to blink and immediately the power steering locked up. I had to manually turn the wheel and was able to over to the side and stop. After several minutes, the wheel finally unlocked and I pulled into a parking lot where it occurred again. I turned the key on and the unlocked wheel began to work again After making it home, I checked the drivers manual and found nothing. I checked complaints and found 95 instances but no recalls. It was very frightening for this situation and dangerous. This happened on July 14,2021.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2021SteeringODI 11425488
All 2012 TL problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TL 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
TL 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
TL 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$4,000444
  • TL 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • TL 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • TL 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Later Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Overall
3 / 5
Acura TL 4 DR 4WD Early Release
Frontal crash
2 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Overall
3 / 5
Acura TL 4 DR FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
2 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6757Vehicle 6756Vehicle 6627
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Acura TL have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (43), power train (27), steering (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Acura TL at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Acura TL?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Acura TL 3–4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026