Model year report

2012 Acura TL: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2012 Acura TL

On the 2012 Acura TL, the failure owners report most often is airbag inflator rupture, with 24 reports on file. The earliest to appear is other powertrain problem, reported by a median of 30,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2012.

High risk for a 2012 — 124th riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. 162 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

What breaks on the 2012 Acura TL

Owners have reported 34 named failure modes on the 2012 Acura TL, and the three most-reported carry 34% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Airbag inflator rupture leads with 24 reports and about 0.7 per 1,000 vehicles.

Other steering problem follows with 16 reports, usually reported between 16k to 105,000 miles.

Other powertrain problem follows with 15 reports, usually reported between 5k to 65,000 miles.

By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (30), steering (24) and transmission (24).

At what mileage it happens

105 of the reports on the 2012 Acura TL came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 48,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 51% by 50,000 miles and 85% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 30% of the dated reports.

43% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.

Median

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 34. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 48k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

What happens when these parts fail

Across the named modes, 4 mention a crash, 5 an injury and 1 a fatality. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.78, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0, other steering problem at $350–$2,400, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500 and torque converter failure at $1,100–$3,200. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

27% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	24	3	—	60k	—	0.7	$0–$0	Critical
Other steering problem	steering	16	14	16k	60k	104k	0.4	$350–$2,400	High
Other powertrain problem	transmission	15	12	5k	30k	66k	0.4	$400–$4,500	High
Torque converter failure	transmission	8	5	—	49k	—	0.2	$1,100–$3,200	High
Loss of power steering	steering	8	7	—	92k	—	0.2	$600–$2,800	Critical
Other engine problem	engine	8	7	—	59k	—	0.2	$300–$4,000	High
Excessive oil consumption	engine	7	7	—	83k	—	0.2	$900–$6,500	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	7	6	—	75k	—	0.2	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other speed control problem	adas	6	5	—	30k	—	0.2	$250–$2,000	Critical
Other body or interior problem	body	5	4	—	750	—	0.1	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Parking brake failure	brakes	4	4	—	250	—	0.1	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	4	4	—	400	—	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	3	3	—	69k	—	0.1	$700–$3,000	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	3	1	—	48k	—	0.1	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure	engine	2	2	—	30k	—	0.1	$1,800–$7,000	High
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	2	0	—	—	—	0.1	$450–$1,600	High
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	2	2	—	22k	—	0.1	$250–$1,500	High
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	2	0	—	—	—	0.1	$300–$1,600	High
Sunroof failure or glass breakage	body	2	1	—	112k	—	0.1	$700–$4,500	High
Software fault or failed update	software	2	1	—	50k	—	0.1	$0–$600	Moderate
Other brake problem	brakes	2	1	—	90k	—	0.1	$300–$1,800	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	2	2	—	7k	—	0.1	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Piston, ring or cylinder wall damage	engine	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$3,000–$9,500	Critical
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	1	1	—	10k	—	0.0	$350–$1,900	High
Complete transmission failure	transmission	1	1	—	30k	—	0.0	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Fuel pump failure	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$600–$2,600	High
Audio or connectivity failure	infotainment	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$150–$900	Low
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	1	1	—	7k	—	0.0	$200–$900	High
Cruise control failure	adas	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$200–$1,400	High
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$100–$900	Moderate
Other fuel system problem	fuel	1	1	—	71k	—	0.0	$300–$2,200	High
Other lighting problem	lighting	1	1	—	90k	—	0.0	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	1	1	—	135k	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	High
Other visibility problem	glass	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	16	8	4k	24k	53k	0.4	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2012 Acura TL draws about 4.5 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 85th percentile of complaint rates among 2012 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 36,003 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2012 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Airbag inflator rupture

Takata recall. I live in north carolina. The acura tl is kept at a home I own in woodridge, il. I received a notice from acura in march 2016 that the airbag needed to be replaced. I contacted mcgrath acura of westmont where I purchased the car to have the airbag replaced. The appointment date that mcgrath gave me was tuesday may 10, 2016. On saturday may 7 my wife and I flew from charlotte. Nc to midway, il specifically to take the acura to mcgrath for the recall repair to be carried out tomorrow. This morning I received a reminder notice from mcgrath that my appointment time was scheduled for tomorrow at 8:00 am. I contacted mcgrath by phone and I'm now told by mcgrath that they do not have the parts to do replaced the airbag. 1). Nobody from mcgrath contacted me to tell me that they do not have the replacement parts for the airbag. 2). Today I receive an email from mcgrath telling me that the work is still scheduled for tomorrow even though they do not have the parts. 3). I'm very upset. I have incurred costs to fly from north carolina to illinois specifically to have the airbag replaced. I have invested time and effort on this…

60,000 miles NHTSA complaint 1281346 filed 2016-05-09

Takata recall in march 2016, I received an official recall notice regarding takata airbag on my 2012 acura tl from acura international. The letter stated that the "fix" would be available summer 2016. Summer has come and gone with no notification that part was in stock at dealership (mike harvey, burlingame ca). In the meantime, I have bought a new car and am trying to sell my tl. I have been told point blank by potential buyers that they either aren't interested or are offering significantly less than my asking price because airbag has not been resolved. After a week of conversations and run around with both the dealership and acura international, I have been told there is nothing that can be done and that no one has any idea when to anticipate the part being available. What I was told (as a sidebar by acura service department) was the airbag in question is actually the driver side airbag and it could pose a risk until fixed that should be mentioned upon selling the vehicle. At this point, it is 6 months past the original date of notification of the recall. I am essentially being prevented from selling my car at a fair and…

55,000 miles NHTSA complaint 1316080 filed 2016-09-10

Recalls on the 2012 model year

NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Acura TL, affecting an estimated 47,884 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.

19V500000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1,558 vehicles 2019-06-27

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.
Consequence: 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.

19V182000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1,101,534 vehicles 2019-03-06

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…
Consequence: 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.

16V061000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

2,232,187 vehicles 2016-02-03

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.
Consequence: 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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2012 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2012 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Better and worse years of the same car

High risk for a 2012 — 124th riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.

Across the 19 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1998 comes out best at 59 and 2012 worst at 72, with 2012 itself at 72.

If the model year is negotiable, 1998, 2007, 1999, 2008, 1997, 2006, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2011, 2013, 2000, 2010, 2001 and 2009 score lower than 2012 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2012–2014 generation specifically, 2014 is the strongest year at 63 and 2012 the weakest at 72.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2012-2014 generation, 2014 Acura TL scores best at 63 and 2012 Acura TL worst at 72.

Where to spend the inspection money

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other powertrain problem from about 5k and other steering problem from about 16k.

On a 2012 Acura TL with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other powertrain problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.

Where these figures stop being useful

162 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 162 reports, 105 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 65% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura TL?

The most-reported failures are airbag inflator rupture (24 reports, median 60,000 miles), other steering problem (16 reports, median 60,000 miles) and other powertrain problem (15 reports, median 30,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2012 Acura TL problems start?

Other powertrain problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 30,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 48,000 miles.

Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?

It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 124th riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2012 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Acura TL is best?

Within the 2012–2014 generation, 2014 scores best at 63 out of 100 and 2012 worst at 72. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed