Owners filed 62 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06950369,503 milesMedian miles at failure
35 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering
23
0
0
0
Air Bags
19
1
0
2
Electrical System
4
0
0
0
Power Train
3
0
0
0
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3
0
0
0
Suspension
2
0
0
0
Structure › Body
2
0
0
0
Engine
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V500000
Filed Jun 27, 20191,558 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V182000
Filed Mar 6, 20191,101,534 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V061000
Filed Feb 3, 20162,232,187 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jul 29, 2026CA
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 co
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 8, 2025MO
I am writing to formally report a significant paint defect on my 2013 Acura TL. Large sections of the clear coat are peeling off the vehicle and the issue continues to spread. The vehicle has been well maintained and regularly washed. This issue is not only unsightly and damaging to the vehicle’s resale value, but it may also lead to more serious deterioration of the exterior over time, including rust or corrosion. After researching online, I discovered that this appears to be a widespread issue affecting numerous Acura and Honda vehicles from similar model years. I am requesting that Acura take responsibility for this clear coat failure and offer a paint repair or reimbursement under a goodwill or extended warranty program. I would also appreciate confirmation as to whether there are any technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended paint warranties related to this issue.
Engine
Filed May 24, 2023NJ
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.
Air Bags
Filed Feb 7, 2022CA
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jan 10, 2022150,000 milesRI
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.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 24, 2021GA
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.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 23, 2021GA
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.
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2021AL
WHILE CROSSING MEDIAN AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LOST POWER, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO STEER TO AVOID COLLISION. STEERING WARNING BEGAN TO FLASH BUT GAVE NO ADVANCE WARNING. I WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER THE CAR. ENGINE WAS RUNNING. CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. HONDA DEALER SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM. POWER STEERING IS STILL INOPERATIVE AND THE DEALER SAYS NO RECALLS FOR T HIS PROBLEM.
Steering
Filed Apr 25, 202164,500 milesTX
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 - -
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Feb 2, 2021MD
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN MY AIR BAG ON DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED
Power Train
Filed Jan 14, 202136,000 milesTX
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!
Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2020142,588 milesIL
2013 ACURA TL STEERING GOT LOCKED AFTER CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM, THIS IS VERY RISKY IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD HAVE HAPPEN DURING DRIVING. SUCH PROBLEMS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CO ASAP AS THIS IS LIFE THREATENING TO DRIVER INCLUDING PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE DURING PROBLEM. STEERING IS LOCKED AND CAN'T MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION.
Steering
Filed Nov 19, 202082,143 milesGA
IN JULY 2020, WITH 82143 MILES, MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING.
Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2020124,377 milesMD
I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY KIDS AND THE STEERING PRACTICALLY LOCKED UP, BUT I WAS STILL GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. THANKFULLY, WE DIDN'T GET HIT WHILE I GUIDED THE CAR OVER TO STOP SAFELY. THE PANEL JUST TOLD ME TO CHECK THE STEERING SYSTEM... WHILE I WAS TRYING NOT TO GET HIT AFTER LOSING ALL POWER TO MY STEERING WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME, AS IT WAS NIGHTTIME. NOW I HAVE TO GET IT SENT TO SOMEONE WHO MIGHT TELL ME ANYTHING. THIS LOOKS LIKE A SERIOUS TREND BASED OFF OF WHAT I'VE READ ON THIS SIGHT. IT'S DANGEROUS AND I'M SURE GETTING IT FIXED WILL BE COSTLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ON MANY LEVELS.
Steering
Filed Oct 19, 202075,000 milesCA
COULD HAD AN ACCIDENT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHT ON MY CAR CAME ON SAYING THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT AT THAT TIME I REALIZE THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR IT WAS HARD I HAD TO GET A FEEL FOR IT TO TURN IT SO I COULD PULL OFF TO THE SIDE AND THEN THAT'S WHEN I CALLED AAA TO COME AND TOW THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER IT. MY CAR HAS 75,000 MILES ONLY. THAT'S A MAJOR PART THAT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
Steering
Filed Sep 27, 202072,534 milesOH
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 ACURA TL ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I GOT AN 'ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ' ERROR THAT RESULTED IN MY STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED ME 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 THAT MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING, BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. ACURA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES TO NOT HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.
Steering
Filed Sep 3, 2020153,000 milesGA
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE CHECK "ELECTRONIC POWER SYSTEM" INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS BACKING INTO THE STREET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. AS I ENTERED THE STREET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT LET ME TURN THE WHEEL TO COMPLETE TURNING TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS TO DRIVE FORWARD. I WAS LITERALLY STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND I LIVE ON THE DOWNSIDE OF A HILL SO CARS CAN'T SEE ME UNTIL THEY TOP THE HILL, FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND WAS HOME AND HELPED PUSH THE CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. ALTHOUGH NOT AS SCARY AS SOME OF THE INCIDENTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THE EPS MODULE FAILING, I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR THEY MUST HAVE HAD WITH THIS HAPPENING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR STREET. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST ACURA DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC BECAUSE I'M TO AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. THE COST OF REPAIR THAT WAS QUOTED IS ASTRONOMICAL, $420 LABOR, $780.06 FOR THE PART...NOT TO MENTION THE TOW$$. REALLY... ACURA/HONDA, YOU GOT TO KNOW THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE IF THERE EVER WAS ONE! WHAT WILL IT TAKE...A GRANDMOTHER (LIKE ME) DRIVING HER GRAND KIDS TO DAYCARE TO LOSE CONTROL BEFORE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PROBLEM. NHTSA, PLEASE FOLLOW UP!
Steering
Filed Aug 25, 202092,820 milesTX
RECEIVED DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE TO CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM. LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMPUTER ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE.
Steering
Filed Aug 12, 202069,000 milesFL
EPS LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. COMPLETELY RANDOM WHEN IT DECIDES TO WORK AND CAR IS UNDER 69000 MILES. AS AN EXAMPLE I WAS TAKING A TURN AND IT FAILED HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT.
Steering
Filed Jun 23, 2020133,000 milesCA
I WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE IN TO MY GARAGE WHEN I FELT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD SOME RESISTANCE AND HARD TO MANEUVER. THE DRIVER PANEL SAYS "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM!" AS I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON, WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. POWER STEERING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. A WEEK LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING THE FREEWAY, "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM!" REAPPEARED. THERE WAS SOME RESISTANCE ON THE POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I REACHED OUR DRIVEWAY, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, BUT THE WARNING MESSAGE STILL APPEARS ON THE DRIVE PANEL. I WENT AHEAD AND SET-UP APPOINTMENT ONLINE AT ACURA CONCORD ON JUNE 23, 2020 AT 0730 FOR SERVICE. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 27, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.