2013 Acura TL Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Acura TL, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering2838.4%
- Airbags1926.0%
- Electrical68.2%
- Driver assistance56.8%
- Powertrain (other)45.5%
- Engine34.1%
- Body & structure34.1%
- Suspension22.7%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
- Exterior lighting11.4%
- Fuel system11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 coverage and refusing to replace the defective EPS unit, stating they cannot honor the warranty extension unless they can actively duplicate the failure on-site or pull a live code themselves. By refusing to honor the safety warranty extension and ignoring a documented professional diagnosis of a known, intermittent component fracture, the manufacturer and dealer are forcing me to retrieve and operate a vehicle with a volatile, un-repaired steering defect. This poses an ongoing, severe risk of sudden steering loss to myself, my passengers, and other motorists. I request that NHTSA investigate American Honda’s practice of denying coverage for this critical, intermittent safety defect.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
MY CAR POWER STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN HAD A LIGHT TO TURN ON TO CHECK STEERING SYSTEM TOOK TO THE SHOP THEY SAID IS A ELECTRIC SITUATION THAN THE DEALERS HAS EXTENDED 15 YEAR GUARANTEE WANT TO KNOW DETAILS FOR REVERSE ME WHAT NEED TO SEND
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 ACURA TL - 64,500 MILES - DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC - CHECK STEERING LIGHT COMES ON - WAS GOING TO MOVE OVER TO FAR RIGHT LANE AND STOP AT NEXT EXIT TO CHECK ISSUE - STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK AND WOULD NOT LET ME GO TO RIGHT - INSTANTLY TURNED ON FLASHERS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD GO AROUND - ALL I COULD DO TO MAKE IT TO SIDE OF ROAD - HAD TO LEAVE CAR AND CALL UBER TO ARRIVE SAFELY TO MY DESTINATION - BEGAN LOOKING AT COMPLAINS - APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING COMPLAINT AND NO SAFETY WARNINGS / RECALLS HAVE BEEN FILED - WENT WITH ACURA DUE TO THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS OF VERY SAFE AND DEPENDABLE CAR BUT AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND NO EXCUSE FOR PUTTING PEOPLE IN SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION- PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOME IS KILLED - AT THE VERY LEAST GIVE A WARNING THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING - IS ACURA TRYING TO LOOSE REPEAT CUSTOMERS- THEY ARE SUCCEEDING - TERRIBLE REPUTATION FOR ACURA IF U DON'T DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS FIRST - WE'VE BEEN LOYAL -NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO SHOW LOYALTY TO US - -
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND THE EPS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL. NO WARNING, JUST A FAILURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The 2013 Acura TL has a problem with the pistons in the engine causing excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action described in the website Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This part should be recalled and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons in the engine.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED TACH HUNTING WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO THE HIGHEST GEAR AND THE RPMS SHOULD BE STEADY, YOU'RE GOING AT A STEADY SPEED DOWN A CITY STREET AND THE TACHOMETER STARTS JUMPING AROUND IT WILL NOT STAY STEADY. IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR HAD AROUND 36,000 MILES ON IT WE BROUGHT IT IN AND THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED/ FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION THAT FIXED IT FOR ROUGHLY 36,000 MILES . IN 2018 IT STATED AGAIN WHEN THE CAR HAD 73,000 MI THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER AGAIN APPARENTLY THERE WAS ANOTHER UPDATE AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 27,000 MILES THIS TIME. NOW THE CAR HAS JUST OVER 100,000 MI ON IT AND IT'S DOING IT AGAIN APPARENTLY FROM WHAT I'VE LEARNED AND HEARD YOU CAN HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND PUT SOME LUBE GUARD SHUTTER FIX IN IT AND IT WILL HELP IT AND MAYBE EVEN CURE THE ISSUE ON SOME CARS BUT OTHERS IT'S TOO LATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR OVERHAULED. AT THE VERY LEAST THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS HONDA KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND THEY PRETTY MUCH PUT A PATCH ON IT UNTIL YOU'RE PAST THE WARRANT I BELIEVE THAT THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO 150,000 MILES!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The 2013 Acura TL has a problem with the pistons in the engine causing excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action described in the website Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This part should be recalled and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons in the engine.
The contact owns a 2013 Acura TL. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, he heard abnormal rattling sounds coming from the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the serpentine belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that he contacted the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STRUTS/SHOCKS NO LONGER HOLD THE HOOD OPEN/UP. UNABLE TO CHECK ENGINE/FLUIDS WITHOUT USING SOME OTHER MEANS TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN/UP. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY THE UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSING HOOD.
I HAD THE HOOD UP IN ORDER TO PUT IN WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. JUST WHEN I STEPPED AWAY THE HOOD FELL DOWN. I TESTED IT AGAIN AND NOTICED THAT IT WOULD STAY UP ONLY IF IT WAS UP ALL THE WAY. HOWEVER, IF IT I TOUCHED IT LIGHTLY OR MOVED IT DOWN JUST A TINY AMOUNT, THE HOOD THEN FALLS DOWN LUCKILY MY HEAD OR ARM WAS NOT UNDER THE HOOD WHEN IT FELL DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL IN THE 2 PISTON LIKE SHOCK ABSORBERS WHICH HOLD UP THE HOOD, LOOSES VISCOSITY AND THE PISTONS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES AND THE HOOD IS RARELY OPENED. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE DEALER HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK. THAT TELLS ME THESE PISTONS FAIL REGULARLY. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PISTONS FOR THE HOOD WERE MUCH STRONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL ONES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POTHOLES AT LOWER SPEEDS. NOISE IS MORE PROMINENT WHEN ITS A SUDDEN HARD HIT ON POTHOLES AND SPEED BUMPS. IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE WHEN CONTROL ARM BUSHING GOES BAD AND IT MAKES METAL ON METAL SOUND. I TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID REAR STRUTS ARE THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR STRUTS BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THEY THEN SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE LINKS. BUT LATER DECIDED NOT TO BECAUSE THEY DID NOT THINK LINKS WERE THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID MOUNTING PLATES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THEM BUT PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT FIXED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANT DO ANYMORE WORK ON THE CAR WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM ACURA CORPORATION. THEY CONTACTED ACURA CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD BY ACURA TO DRIVE A SIMILAR CAR TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO FIGURE OUT IF ITS A NORMAL NOISE FOR THESE CARS. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE FINDINGS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR ALMOST 10 DAYS NOW NOT COUNTING THE PRIOR ATTEMPTS OF FIXING IT. I HAVE DRIVEN HONDA CARS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR SWAY BARS. BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE FINE. AFTER READING ONLINE FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT MAY REQUIRE A RECALL. I AM HOPING DEALERSHIP CAN FIGURE OUT THIS PROBLEM AND ACURA FIXES THIS POSSIBLY A SAFETY ISSUE SOON.
PRONOUNCED "CLUNK" NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR AT LOW SPEEDS - BETWEEN 15-40 MPH. THIS IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED IN VARIOUS ACURA TL, TSX, AND HONDA ACCORD INTERNET FORUMS. MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESEARCHED AND THEY EITHER SAY IT IS "NORMAL" (AS IF IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR) OR THERE IS NO ISSUE. HAVE CLAIMED THAT EVERYTHING IN THE REAR SUSPENSION IS "FIRM" OR "SOLID", YET THE ISSUE STILL REMAINS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CAR THAT HAD SUCH A NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER STREET CRACKS, SPEED BUMPS, ETC. AS I SAID, NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ACROSS THE INTERNET, YET NO ACTION THAT I CAN DETERMINE EITHER FROM ACURA OR HONDA. I AM WORRIED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIT UP SAYING TIRES WERE LOW, WHEN CHECKED THE TIRES WERE AT PROPER PRESSURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLIGHTS FOR THE LOW BEAMS, AND HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS FOR HIGH BEAMS. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON, THE FORWARD ILLUMINATION CAST BY THE HEADLIGHTS IS NEGLIGIBLE. WHEN DRIVING AND USING THE HIGHWAY'S DIVIDING LINES AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, MY CAR ONLY ILLUMINATES ABOUT TWO "DASHES" IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE MEASURED THE ILLUMINATION WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, AND THE LIGHTS ONLY SHINE APPROXIMATELY 52 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT LOW BEAMS SHOULD TYPICALLY SHINE AT LEAST 160 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 3/31/13 AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THEY HAVE CHECKED THEM AND SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE. I AM SOMEWHAT CONCERNED THAT THE ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY CHECK FOR FORWARD ILLUMINATION ON HEADLAMPS; HOWEVER,I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT OTHER ACURA TL 2013 OWNERS MAY BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND THIS LACK OF VISIBILITY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR DEATHS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT IN APPLICATION. SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF LIGHTER APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE, THE CAR WAITS SEVERAL HEARTBEATS BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS. THEN CATCHES UP TO THE PEDAL POSITION , WHICH IF YOU'VE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND YOU'VE KEEP PUSHING THE PEDAL NOW YOU'RE INSTANTLY AT HALF THROTTLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ACURA SAYS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY'LL DO ABOUT IT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .