Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?

The 2012 Acura TL has 162 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Acura TL?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (43 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (27 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (25 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 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 2012 Acura TL?

The 2012 Acura TL gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Acura TL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Acura TL is approximately $1,932/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.

2012 Acura TL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Acura TL has 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 73. The most common issue is air bags problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: passenger side airbag warning light comes on intermittently for several seconds (long enough to have photographed it on cell phone on several occasions and sent to ralleye acura dealership) although a passenger is seated. passenger is female, 125 lbs, 5' 6" tall. vehicle has been brought back abou. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 3 injuries

162

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

43 complaints

27%

• PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS (LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED IT ON CELL PHONE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND SENT TO RALLEYE ACURA DEALERSHIP) ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER IS SEATED. PASSENGER IS FEMALE, 125 LBS, 5' 6" TALL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK ABOU
• I AM SUBMITTING MY COMPLAINT HERE BECAUSE, ALL NORTH AMERICAN ACURAS ARE BUILT SAME AND HAS SAME SAFETY/PROBLEMS. PLEASE EXCUSE MY INFO ON ADDRESS SINCE THERE WAS NO ENTRY FOR ONTARIO, CANADA. ===========ENCOUNTER WITH THE PROBLEM CLICK OR POP SOUND COMES OUT OF STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN STEERING
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A MAIN KEY AND ONLY HAD A SECONDARY KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A MULTI POINT INSPEC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS (LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED IT ON CELL PHONE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND SENT TO RALLEYE ACURA DEALERSHIP) ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER IS SEATED. PASSENGER IS FEMALE, 125 LBS, 5' 6" TALL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK ABOU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Acura TL

Based on 105 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

High-mileage issuemedian 71K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 65K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

High-mileage issuemedian 50K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

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 2012 Acura TL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/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 2012 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

$1,932

Full coverage / month

$161

Liability only / year

$696

vs US avg

+15%

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 rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1932

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 2012 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 162 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS (LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED IT ON CELL PHONE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND SENT TO RALLEYE ACURA DEALERSHIP) ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER IS SEATED. PASSENGER IS FEMALE, 125 LBS, 5' 6" TALL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK ABOU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 ACURA TL ON 2/8/12. EACH DAY I DRIVE 35 MILES TO AND FROM WORK ON INTERSTATE 75 WITH A POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. WITHIN A FEW DAYS I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE CAR REACHED 70 MPH A PERSISTENT HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION CAME UP THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR AND IN PARTICULAR THROUGH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: 12/19/2012 9AM, I WAS DRIVING CALIFORNIA FREEWAY (110) ABOUT 30 MILES/HR. WEATHER WAS CLEAR, ROAD WAS DRY AND NO POT HOLES. I GOT "POWER STEERING WARNING" LIGHTS/BEEPS AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VERY STIFF TO STEER AND I BARELY PULLED OVER TO THE CURVE.(ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING). AND I S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED MY NEW 2012 SH-AWD ACURA TL ADVANCE IN MARCH OF 2012. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES WHEN PURCHASED AND CURRENTLY HAS 5K MILES (JANUARY 2013). THE CAR VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 AND 80 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE FLAT SPOTTED OR WHEELS ARE OUT OF BALANCE. THE WHEE
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)