2013 Acura TL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,503 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 62 complaints (45.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 27 | 43.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 28 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Steering: 28; Air Bags: 19; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Engine: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 13; 2017: 9; 2018: 2; 2019: 9; 2020: 14; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10956708 · 2017-02-24 (February 24, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11002737 · 2017-07-02 (July 2, 2017)
EPS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STARTED TO BEEP AND THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT TURNED ON IN THE DASH. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP, BUT IT WAS JUST VERY VERY VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WAIT FOR HELP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON EVERYTHING WAS FINE!! (CRAZY). 2 DAYS LATER STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX AFTER WORK AND IT WENT CRAZY AGAIN. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WHENT AWAY AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE ACURA DEALER BUT THEY COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON THE WAY HOME STOPP…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11002737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10908326 · 2016-09-20 (September 20, 2016)
APPEARS TO BE TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 47,XXX MILES ON MY VEHICLE WHICH I HAD PURCHASED BRAND NEW. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME CONCERN BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN, I WAS ADVISED THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND ACURA STATED THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. ONCE THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER IT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN ACURA STATED IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10908326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991247 · 2017-05-23 (May 23, 2017)
TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER/ PREMATURE FAILURE. JERKY TRANSMISSION. SHIFTING HARD. WENT TO 2 TORQUE CONVERTERS IN A YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10991247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11205707 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON RURAL ROAD ALARM PANEL DISPLAYING CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM, ALARM AND AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM BLINKING REPEATEDLY, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING, LUCKILY I HAD JUST PULLED OFF A MAJOR BUSY HIGHWAY ONTO A BACKROAD WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245939 · 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
CHECK POWER STEERING LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING WHEN BRAKING AT STOP LIGHT ABOUT TO TURN LEFT. IT WAS A HARD TURN BUT WHEN I STARTED TO ACCELERATE IT WENT AWAY, THEN AT THE STOP LIGHT IT STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AGAIN. MAKING ANOTHER LEFT TURN IT INTERMITTENTLY WENT ON AND OFF. PRETTY MUCH SAME STORY AS EVERYONE ELSE REGARDING STEERING. LUCKILY I BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY. MILES WERE ONLY 69,500. NOW IT'S AT THE SHOP BEING CHECKED AND WILL STAY OVER NIGHT. THIS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ASAP
Owner-reported narrative. 69,503 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629952 · 2014-09-01 (September 1, 2014)
ACCORDING TO STATE FARM, THE RUBBER BOOTS IN THE FRONT DOOR JAMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO HAVE A WATER LEAK INTO THE FLOOR BOARDS CAUSING ALL OF THE WIRING, INCLUDING THE AIRBAGS WIRE HARNESS TO BE SUBJECT TO MOISTURE, LEADING TO FUTURE CORROSION, INCLUDING WHAT IS REFERRED TO GFS - GREEN FUZZY *$#!. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10629952 at NHTSA ↗