YearToAvoid

2011 Acura TL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2011 Acura TL has a complaint index of 11, the second-lowest among all 10 model years, and ranks 9th worst (meaning 2nd best). NHTSA lists 20 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive orders, earning it a Best verdict relative to other TL years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
11/100
#9 of 10 TL years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
20
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2011 Acura TL problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags13 (65%)
  2. Engine3 (15%)
  3. Brakes1 (5%)
  4. Fuel System1 (5%)
  5. Other1 (5%)
  6. Steering1 (5%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (5%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report Takata airbag inflators rupturing during low-speed crashes, causing facial, chest, and spinal injuries.
  • Some describe smoke and fire coming from the engine compartment, with one case leading to a burned-out engine.
  • Owners note the electronic power steering cutting out suddenly while driving on the highway, at a median mileage of 186,000.
  • Several report long delays getting Takata airbag recall parts, with vehicles going unrepaired for extended periods.
  • One owner reported the engine burning oil rapidly, with warnings appearing once oil life dropped to 40 to 50 percent.
2011 Acura TL complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2016May 2016Aug 2016Dec 2016Oct 2017May 2019Jan 2021Dec 2022
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Oct 2023; peak Mar 2016 (2).

2011 Acura TL recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Airbags1,101,534 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 16V061000Feb 3, 2016Airbags2,232,187 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2011 Acura TL fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other TL years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good4442320.5
2010Good3364320
2011Best1120320
2012Avoid78130321
2013Best2262321

All Acura TL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Acura TL reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 TL performs well compared to other TL years, with a complaint index of 11 and only 20 total complaints.
What problems does the 2011 Acura TL have?
Airbags account for 65% of complaints, mostly tied to Takata inflator recalls, followed by engine issues including reports of fire and oil burning.
Does the 2011 Acura TL have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 TL, all related to airbags, and none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2011 Acura TL compare to other TL years?
The 2011 TL ranks 9th worst out of 10 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 11, making it one of the better years for this model.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Acura TL?
The EPA rates the 2011 Acura TL at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.