2012 Acura Tl Problems
Shopping for a used 2012 Acura Tl? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 130 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2012 Acura Tl has 130 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2012 Acura Tl Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2012 Acura Tl trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2012 Acura Tl Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program4 variants tested — showing 2012 Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later ReleaseOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Acura Tl has 130 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- Tl
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 130
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 26
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2012 Acura Tl problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Transmission / Drivetrain
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2012 Acura Tl?
The 2012 Acura Tl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2012 Acura Tl
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues and steering responsiveness.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues and steering responsiveness.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Acura Tl, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2012 Acura TL are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, transmission/drivetrain issues, and steering defects. The data suggests potential problem areas, but the low confidence level and limited sample size warrant caution.
- Airbag malfunctions account for the largest share of complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain and steering defects are also frequently reported.
- Only 3 crash-related complaints were recorded out of 130 total.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Steering Defects
Full breakdown
All 2012 Acura Tl complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura Tl. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 43 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Acura Tl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The vehicle has a faulty Hands free link module which runs the battery down when the vehicle is not in use. Acura has been aware of this problem since 2005. The government of this sorry ass country has done nothing about this issue except sit on their hands and accept payoffs fro…
Airbag light came on and remained
Driving down the highway with my sun shade open but the actual sunroof closed and all of a sudden I just hear a loud pop and glass is all over my head and thighs. The sunroof shattered leaving me with glasses everywhere. No rock was in the sunroof when I was vacuuming the remaini…
They changed the originality milleage of the car and sold it too expensive
Immobilizer unit (recognizes/reads chip in key fob) failure led to the car shutting off the fuel pump leading to the car shutting down. The car could not be started again leaving the driver stranded by the side of the road. Vehicle had to be towed to an Acura dealer since the …
Driving on the freeway on a particularly warm day in California with the sunroof tilted up. Heard a explosion and glass fell on top of me and my family. We pulled over to see what had happened because we didn't see any objects flying at us. Upon inspection of the vehicle we not…
On 4/28/2023 per Balcones Heights Police officer Ford and Officer [XXX] there is an issue with the license plate light. The light has been replaced twice, to avoid traffic stops. Police continue to cite the issue of No License plate light. There are not any warning lights on the…
In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several i…
unknown, i cant keep a mobil phone connected to the car bluetooth and tpms system always seems to show light as well as all the other senors. lots of parts have been tampered with
Check airbag sensor keeps coming on intermittently.
While driving in heavy traffic and making a right turn,the power steering screen began to blink and immediately the power steering locked up. I had to manually turn the wheel and was able to over to the side and stop. After several minutes, the wheel finally unlocked and I pulled…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT…
THERE IS SOME JERKINESS WHEN CAR SWITCHES GEARS. READ IT COULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR BE FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE ALREADY.
HAS JUMMPY GEAR SHIFTING WHEN GEAR MOVES FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. IT FEELS LIKE GEAR SLIPS WHILE CHANGE GEAR.
I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT APRIL OF 2019 WITH 59920 MILES AND THE RECALL WAS NOT FIXED NOW THEY ASKED ME TO DO A TEST TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND FOURTH ONLY TO RUN UP THE MILES AND TIME FRAME TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT HAS OCCURRED FROM THE RECALL NOT BEING FIXED …
CAR HAS BEEN EXCESSIVELY USING OIL SINCE I BOUGHT IT. HAVE IT DOCUMENTED BY THE DEALER WHEN TAKING IT FOR OIL CHANGES ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION. CAMPAIGN IS RELEASED FOR OIL CONSUMPTION AND I AM TOLD DON'T QUALIFY B/C NOW I SUPPOSED HAVE THREE OIL LEAKS. I HAVE NEVER SAW OIL I…
CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM MESSAGE ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING.
THE TACHOMETER WILL HUNT UP AND DOWN A FEW HUNDRED RPM UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT HARSHLY AND ALSO SHIFTS UP AND DOWN DURING ACCELERATION AT TIMES
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUT OFF UN-COMMANDED. CAR CAME TO STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND RE-STARTED. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. CAR CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC PLACED CAR IN PARK AND RE-STARTED. DROVE CAR A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. ACURA FIRST (16 HIGHLAND AVE, RT 6 SEEKONK, MA)…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Acura Tl.
Safety recalls
2012 Acura Tl recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Acura Tl. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2012 Acura Tl buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Acura Tl reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 130 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Acura Tl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura Tl?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (43 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (27 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Acura Tl?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Acura Tl?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Acura Tl, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 130 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Acura Tl have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Acura Tl. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Acura Tl?▾
The 2012 Acura Tl shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Acura Tl reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Acura Tl based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.