YearToAvoid

2012 Acura TL Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA received 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Acura TL, 21% of its 130 total complaints for the year — the highest share among nearby model years. The median failure mileage was 39,500, and no related recalls are listed.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
27
21% of 130
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
39,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vibration or shudder felt through the gas pedal and floor at highway speeds, roughly 40 to 80 mph, often mistaken for tire balance issues.
  • Hesitation or momentary loss of power when accelerating from a stop, particularly during the shift from first to second gear.
  • Rhythmic surging or a low growl during light throttle acceleration, described by some owners as a torque converter issue.
  • Tachometer jumping several hundred rpm while cruising in a higher gear around 35 to 45 mph.
  • Sudden transmission failure at low speed, in one case traced to a clutch assembly needing replacement at 30,000 miles.
  • Jerking or shifting hesitation during light throttle use, especially noticeable on slight uphill grades.

When 2012 Acura TL transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 22, 2012, latest Nov 20, 2020.

2012 Acura TL transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2012Jan 2013Oct 2014Oct 2015May 2016Jun 2017Dec 2018Nov 2019
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Nov 2020; peak Dec 2015 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Acura TL

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by TL model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200536 (9%)
  2. 200619 (8%)
  3. 20077 (6%)
  4. 20088 (6%)
  5. 20095 (12%)
  6. 201010 (16%)
  7. 20111 (5%)
  8. 201227 (21%)
  9. 20134 (6%)
  10. 20141 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Acura TL have?
NHTSA lists 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Acura TL, which is 21% of the 130 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Acura TL transmission?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls for the Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Acura TL.
At what mileage do 2012 Acura TL transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 39,500 miles.
Did the transmission problems cause crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among the 2012 Acura TL Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
How does the 2012 TL compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2012 model year's 21% share of transmission complaints is higher than 2010 (16%), 2011 (5%), 2013 (6%), and 2014 (6%).

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.