2012 Acura TL
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 44 of 130 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 20 in 2011 to 130 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,350–3,900 | 3,350–3,900 | 3,350–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 20–23 | 20–23 | 20–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 25–26 | 17–18 / 24–26 | 18–20 / 24–29 | 18–20 / 24–29 | 18–20 / 24–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 386–444 | 385–442 | 385–442 | |
| Complaints filed | 64 | 20 | 130 | 62 | 17 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Acura TL have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Acura TL?
Airbags & Restraints: 44 of 130 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Acura TL get?
EPA rates it 20–23 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Acura TL?
EPA estimates $3,350–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 44 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V500000 · Jul 1, 2019
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V182000 · Mar 7, 2019
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.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V061000 · Feb 3, 2016
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.