2013 Acura TL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10542149 · 2013-09-05 (September 5, 2013)
THE FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT IN APPLICATION. SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF LIGHTER APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE, THE CAR WAITS SEVERAL HEARTBEATS BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS. THEN CATCHES UP TO THE PEDAL POSITION , WHICH IF YOU'VE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND YOU'VE KEEP PUSHING THE PEDAL NOW YOU'RE INSTANTLY AT HALF THROTTLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ACURA SAYS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY'LL DO ABOUT IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547802 · 2013-10-14 (October 14, 2013)
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLIGHTS FOR THE LOW BEAMS, AND HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS FOR HIGH BEAMS. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON, THE FORWARD ILLUMINATION CAST BY THE HEADLIGHTS IS NEGLIGIBLE. WHEN DRIVING AND USING THE HIGHWAY'S DIVIDING LINES AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, MY CAR ONLY ILLUMINATES ABOUT TWO "DASHES" IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE MEASURED THE ILLUMINATION WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, AND THE LIGHTS ONLY SHINE APPROXIMATELY 52 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY UNDERSTANDIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547802 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 ↗
Owner report 10650793 · 2014-10-28 (October 28, 2014)
PRONOUNCED "CLUNK" NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR AT LOW SPEEDS - BETWEEN 15-40 MPH. THIS IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED IN VARIOUS ACURA TL, TSX, AND HONDA ACCORD INTERNET FORUMS. MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESEARCHED AND THEY EITHER SAY IT IS "NORMAL" (AS IF IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR) OR THERE IS NO ISSUE. HAVE CLAIMED THAT EVERYTHING IN THE REAR SUSPENSION IS "FIRM" OR "SOLID", YET THE ISSUE STILL REMAINS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CAR THAT HAD SU…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10854278 · 2016-04-08 (April 8, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND FELT THAT THE PART EXPECTED AVAILABILITY DATE WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10854278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861335 · 2016-04-25 (April 25, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE...UPDATED 05/19/16 *BF *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10861335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10862838 · 2016-05-03 (May 3, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL-MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN ACURA (MACCHURCHILL) SINCE FEBRUARY 23, 2016. THEY SAID IT COULD TAKE AS LONG AS UNTIL SEPTEMBER BEFORE MY VEHICLE IS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT MY AIRBAGS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DEPLOYED ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS, NOR DID I SIGN AN AIRBAG DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FORM. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE ME SIGN THIS FORM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10862838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876896 · 2016-06-27 (June 27, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10876896 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V061000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V500000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗