YearToAvoid

2013 Acura TL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2013 Acura TL ranks 8th of 10 model years with a complaint index of 22 and earns a Best verdict relative to other TL years. It has 62 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported to NHTSA.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
22/100
#8 of 10 TL years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
62
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2013 Acura TL problems

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

  1. Steering28 (45%)
  2. Airbags19 (31%)
  3. Electrical System7 (11%)
  4. Engine4 (6%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
  6. Brakes3 (5%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  9. Fuel System1 (2%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (2%)

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

What owners report

  • Steering warning indicator illuminates and the power steering seizes at highway speeds, sometimes requiring replacement of the power steering control module around a median 75,000 miles.
  • Driver's side airbag reportedly deploys without a crash event, in one case at low speed leading to a collision.
  • Owners with Takata airbag recall notices report long waits for replacement inflators and no loaner vehicles offered.
  • HID low-beam headlights are described as casting very little forward light, raising visibility concerns.
  • Rubber door-jamb boots reportedly let water reach interior wiring, including airbag harness connections, causing corrosion.
  • A clunking noise from the rear at low speeds between 15 and 40 mph is described as a recurring suspension complaint.
2013 Acura TL complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2013Jun 2016Jan 2017Nov 2017Jul 2019Aug 2020Feb 2021May 2023
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2013 to Jul 2026; peak Jul 2016 (4).

2013 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.

2013 Acura TL fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
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.

2013 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
2011Best1120320
2012Avoid78130321
2013Best2262321
2014Best017321

All Acura TL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Acura TL reliable?
Among the 10 TL model years with data, 2013 has a complaint index of 22, ranking 8th worst (meaning it's among the better years) and carrying a Best verdict relative to other TL years.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Acura TL?
Steering complaints lead with 28 reports, 45% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Acura TL have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2013 TL, all involving Takata airbag inflators (campaigns 19V500000, 19V182000, and 16V061000).
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Acura TL?
NHTSA lists 62 complaints for the 2013 Acura TL, along with 1 crash and 2 injuries; no fires or deaths were reported.
How does the 2013 TL compare to other years like 2005 or 2012?
The 2013 TL's complaint index of 22 is far lower than 2005's 100 and 2012's 78, both rated Avoid, and lower than 2007 and 2008, both rated Caution.

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.