2013 Acura TL: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (44% of complaints); the 2011 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2023
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2021
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2021
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2020
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“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”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact TL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Acura TL reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Acura TL. The most complained-about area is steering (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Acura TL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,553 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Acura TL have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.