Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Acura TLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2014 Acura TL. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
17
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

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2014 – Mar 2026
  1. Air bags8
  2. Steering2
  3. Visibility2
  4. Engine1
  5. Wheels1
  6. Power train1
  7. Structure1
  8. Other / unknown1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Air bags

8 reports
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2016Air bagsODI 10925912

Steering

2 reports
“After driving the vehicle for about 30 minutes a red flashing dash warning light came on with an alarm that there is a power steering problem, after which power steering was lost. Parked the vehicle for two hours to have dinner and then proceeded home with normal steering until reaching home when the same dash warning light and alarm occurred. The following day had vehicle towed to dealership to diagnose the problem. They could not duplicate the problem, and no computer code of failure was recorded, therefore they could not therefore proceed to execute a repair, so I picked up the vehicle and drove home. I called Honda customer service to open a case number for my issue and the called the following day and basically told me what the dealership told me. I have since driven the vehicle several times without issue, however, am concerned that my wife is the primary driver and being elderly will have extreme difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle if she encounters a power steering failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2024SteeringODI 11607280

Visibility

2 reports
“AFTER FINISHING WORK, I OPENED THE CAR DOOR, TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THEN SHUT THE FRONT DOOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING MY 2 CAR SEATS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT TRAUMA OR CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE AND IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION OR IF MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. THIS CAR IS NEWLY PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS AGO AND SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT WAS ONE OF THE SAFEST CARS. NOW TO FIND THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, I AM ASKING FOR A NEW ACURA TL OR ELSE I AM CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN FOR ANOTHER NEW CAR. I CANNOT TAKE ANY CHANCES SINCE I CARE FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN AND NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE. ANOTHER CONCERN, IS THAT EVEN IF THEY FIX THE DAMAGE, THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE WEAKER THAN FACTORY INSTALLED AND MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS ACURA TL AND WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN A NEW CAR OR I WILL BE FORCED TO TRADE IT IN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2014VisibilityODI 10632065
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.
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 8229Vehicle 8228
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

2014 TL questions

How many recalls does the 2014 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 2014 Acura TL problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), steering (2), visibility (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Acura TL get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Acura TL at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Acura TL?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Acura TL 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026