Acura TL Best and Worst Years (2005–2014)
Acura TL years to avoid are 2005, 2006, and 2012, with complaint index scores of 100, 89, and 78. The best years are 2011, 2013, and 2014, with complaint index scores of 11, 22, and 0.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 10
- 2005–2014
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,218
- Recall campaigns
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 35
- Fires reported
- 20
- Top problem area
- Airbags
TL Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Acura TL problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 388 | 7 | 3 | 5 | Structure & Body | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 89 | 247 | 8 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 56 | 124 | 2 | 5 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 67 | 124 | 4 | 7 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 44 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 20.5 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 33 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 11 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 78 | 130 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 22 | 62 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Steering | 21 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
TL years to avoid: what went wrong
2005 Acura TL Index 100 · 388 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2005 TL has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 388 complaints tied to 5 recalls. Structure & Body issues make up 41% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 94,900 miles, and Airbags follow at 37% with median mileage of 100,000 miles. Owners report wheel and rim failures after curb impacts, tire pressure loss, unexpected acceleration events, and airbags that failed to deploy or deployed unexpectedly. NHTSA recall 08V091000 covers a power steering hose that can crack and leak fluid, and 08V092000 covers wiper motor corrosion from water intrusion.
2005 structure & body problems →2005 airbags problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →
2006 Acura TL Index 89 · 247 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 TL carries a complaint index of 89 across 247 complaints and 4 recalls. Airbags account for 34% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 101,000 miles, and Structure & Body issues make up 26% with median mileage of 90,000 miles. Owners report wheels detaching after prior repairs, sudden acceleration incidents, airbags deploying from minor impacts, and airbags failing to deploy in a frontal crash where a support bar detached from the frame. Recall 08V091000 addresses a power steering hose that can deteriorate and leak.
2006 airbags problems →2006 structure & body problems →2006 electrical system problems →
2012 Acura TL Index 78 · 130 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2012 TL has a complaint index of 78 from 130 complaints and 3 recalls, including one death reported. Airbags lead the problem areas at 33% with median failure mileage of 52,500 miles, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% with median mileage of 39,500 miles. Owners report sudden acceleration while braking, airbags not deploying in rear-end and frontal collisions tied to Takata recalls, and a front passenger seat that rocks loosely. Recalls 19V500000 and 19V182000 both cover replacement of Takata airbag inflators.
2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 steering problems →
Most common Acura TL problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags440 (36%)
- Structure & Body292 (24%)
- Other163 (13%)
- Steering153 (13%)
- Electrical System132 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain118 (10%)
- Engine109 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires73 (6%)
- Brakes62 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Acura TL years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2006, and 2012 Acura TL are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 89, and 78 respectively, the three highest in the model's 2005-2014 history.
- What are the best Acura TL years?
- The 2011, 2013, and 2014 Acura TL rate as Best, with complaint index scores of 11, 22, and 0, the lowest in the lineup. The 2009 and 2010 model years rate Good with scores of 44 and 33.
- What is the most common problem area on the Acura TL?
- Across all years, Airbags account for 36% of the 1,218 total complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 24% and Steering at 13%.
- Does the Acura TL have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Multiple TL model years, including 2005, 2006, and 2012, are covered by NHTSA Takata airbag inflator recalls such as 19V182000 and 19V500000, which call for replacing the driver's airbag inflator free of charge.
- Is the 2012 Acura TL reliable?
- The 2012 TL is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 78 from 130 complaints, 3 recalls, and one reported death, making it one of the three highest-risk TL model years based on NHTSA data.