Is the 2011 Acura TL reliable?

The 2011 Acura TL has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Acura TL?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (13 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (3 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Acura TL?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Acura TL?

The 2011 Acura TL gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Acura TL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Acura TL is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Acura TL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Acura TL has 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 73. The most common issue is air bags problems (57% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall- took car in for battery replacement. informed of recall. told replacement couldn't take place until sometime in summer. offered a car as temporary replacement. it was indicated car wouldn't be of quality of mine, would be of enterprise rental quality. i thought this was unreasonabl. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

13 complaints

57%

• TAKATA RECALL- TOOK CAR IN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INFORMED OF RECALL. TOLD REPLACEMENT COULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL SOMETIME IN SUMMER. OFFERED A CAR AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. IT WAS INDICATED CAR WOULDN'T BE OF QUALITY OF MINE, WOULD BE OF ENTERPRISE RENTAL QUALITY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNREASONABL
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INFLATOR RUPTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, NOSE, CHE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TAKATA RECALL- TOOK CAR IN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INFORMED OF RECALL. TOLD REPLACEMENT COULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL SOMETIME IN SUMMER. OFFERED A CAR AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. IT WAS INDICATED CAR WOULDN'T BE OF QUALITY OF MINE, WOULD BE OF ENTERPRISE RENTAL QUALITY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNREASONABL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE06/03/2019

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Acura TL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Acura TL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura TL Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2011 TL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 23 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL- TOOK CAR IN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INFORMED OF RECALL. TOLD REPLACEMENT COULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL SOMETIME IN SUMMER. OFFERED A CAR AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. IT WAS INDICATED CAR WOULDN'T BE OF QUALITY OF MINE, WOULD BE OF ENTERPRISE RENTAL QUALITY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNREASONABL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING,I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WE SMELLED RUBBER BURNING NEXT WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD AREA. WE PULLED OVER TURNED ON THE FLASHERS AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SMOKE CAME OUT HEAVY AND I SAW A FIRE AT THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE AREA.WE CALLED 911 AND A FIRE TRUCK PUT OUT THE FL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK AND MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT I ALMOST HIT A TRACTOR TRAILER AND IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BESIDES SLAM ON THE BRAKES. THIS ISSUE COULD OF POTENTIALLY CAUSED MY DEATH OR OT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I DROVE MY ACURA TL TO DUVAL ACURA ON 07/13/2019 @73000 MILES, DUE TO CONCERNS REGARDING MY TRANSMISSION. I HEARD GRUNTING TYPE OF DRAGGING VIBRATIONS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR GOING INTO THE 3RD. THE MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND ADVISED THAT'S THE WAY THE CAR SOUNDS AND TALKED ME INTO A TRANSMISSION FL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)