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Research · Midsize Cars

2013 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 62 owner complaints for the 2013 Acura TL. Most complaints involve steering (28) and air bags (19). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
62
Top: steering
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

62 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2013 – Jul 2026
  1. Steering28
  2. Air bags19
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Power train4
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  6. Structure3
  7. Engine2
  8. Suspension2
  9. Engine and engine cooling1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
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

Steering

28 reports
“On Monday, July 27, 2026, my vehicle suffered a complete failure of the EPS system at startup in my garage, making the steering wheel lock and rendering the vehicle completely non-operational. The vehicle did start and would go into gear but there was a severe increase in steering effort, creating an emergency situation and an extreme safety hazard on public roads if it was driven. The vehicle was towed to an independent automotive repair facility where a certified technician performed a diagnostic scan and isolated the failure to the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control unit. The independent shop verified that my vehicle’s VIN is covered under American Honda/Acura's active 15-year/unlimited-mile warranty extension for Service Bulletin 19-021, which was issued specifically to address a known manufacturing defect involving internal EPS relay wire fatigue. The vehicle was subsequently towed to Metro Acura for the warranty repair. Because the manufacturing defect is inherently intermittent, the EPS system temporarily self-recovered due to ignition cycling and physical vibrations during flatbed transit. Metro Acura and American Honda are currently denying warranty…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026SteeringODI 11753600

Air bags

19 reports1 crash
“The airbag warning indicator keeps appearing. When message is pressed it says that airbag may not deploy when needed. States to turn car off and restart to see if indicator disappears- if reappear take to dealership to inspect”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2022Air bagsODI 11450853

Electrical system

6 reports
“I was driving my 2013 Acura Tl on my way to work and suddenly I got an electronic power steering error that resulted in my steering wheel stiff and I had to use all my strength to pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle's steering became very heavy and was very hard to turn. I am fortunate not to be in an accident when it occurred. There is so many people with Acura TL having this issue and Acura need to do something about it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2021Steering, Electrical systemODI 11444909
All 2013 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$3,450385
TL 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800421
TL 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$4,000442
  • 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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Acura TL 4 DR 4WD
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 FWD
Frontal crash
4 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 7264Vehicle 7263
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

2013 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2013 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 2013 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (28), air bags (19), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Acura TL at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Acura TL?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Acura TL 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026