YearToAvoid

2013 Acura TL Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#3 most-complained of 5 TL years

The 2013 Acura TL has 62 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 50, and ranks 3rd worst out of 5 model years, earning a 'Caution' verdict. Steering (45% of complaints) and airbags (31%) are the top problem areas, with 3 recalls on file, all airbag-related.

Complaints
62
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 26 hwy

Top 2013 Acura TL problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Steering warning indicator illuminates and the power steering seizes at highway speeds, sometimes requiring module replacement around 111,000 miles.
  • Driver's side airbag has erroneously deployed at low speeds, in one case leading to a crash into a fixed object.
  • Takata airbag recall repairs were delayed for extended periods, with owners reporting parts unavailability and no loaner vehicles offered.
  • Throttle response lags during acceleration before catching up abruptly, described as a fly-by-wire inconsistency.
  • Low-beam HID headlights cast very limited forward illumination, raising nighttime visibility concerns around 4,200 miles.
  • A rear 'clunk' noise appears at low speeds between 15 and 40 mph, reported as a recurring issue by multiple owners.
2013 Acura TL complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2013Jun 2016Jan 2017Nov 2017Jul 2019Aug 2020Feb 2021May 2023
74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2013 to Jul 2026; peak May 2020 (5).

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)025507510020102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good2520320
2012Avoid100130321
2013Caution5062321
2014Best017321

All Acura TL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Acura TL reliable?
NHTSA lists 62 complaints for the 2013 TL with a complaint index of 50, placing it 3rd worst among the 5 model years with data. It carries a 'Caution' verdict relative to other TL years.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Acura TL?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 45% of complaints (28 of 62), with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Acura TL have an airbag recall?
Yes, it has three recalls, all involving Takata airbag inflators, including campaigns 19V500000, 19V182000, and 16V061000. Airbags also account for 31% of owner complaints.
How does the 2013 TL compare to other TL model years?
The 2013 TL's complaint index of 50 is better than 2012 (100, Avoid) and 2010 (75, Avoid) but worse than 2011 (25, Good) and 2014 (0, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Acura TL?
The 2013 TL is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

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.