2013 Acura Tl problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (27) · Air Bags (19) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Acura Tl model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
35 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V500000 · 1,558 vehicles
Defect: 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 hu
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-03-06 · campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-03 · campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2026-02-28 · B18-020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - warranty extension: customer support program for driver's airbag inflator for 2013-14 ilx hybrid and other listed years and models.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2022-04-08 · B18-020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - this bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. american honda is offering a customer support program (warranty extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
Equipment 2022-03-01 · B18-020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - this bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. american honda is offering a customer support program (warranty extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
Service Brakes 2021-02-26 · BPaS02262021905 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2009-2014 tls, tsxs & tsx wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. to better understand the cause of this condition, ahm would like to collect spe
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2021-02-10 · BPaS02102021903 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2009-2014 tls, tsxs & tsx wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. to better understand the cause of this condition, ahm would like to collect spe
Wheels 2021-01-26 · B15090E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage or anything stuck in the tread? while you're checking for leaks, check the valve stem; it could have oxidation buildup from road salt. this buildup can cause a poor seal, resulting in a slow leak.
Showing the 6 most recent of 107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-29 · Steering“on monday, july 27, 2026, my vehicle suffered a complete failure of the eps system at startup in my garage, making the steering wheel lock and rendering the vehicle completely non-operational. the vehicle did start and would go into gear but there was a severe increase in steering effort, creating an emergency situation and an extreme safety hazard…”
2025-04-08 · Unknown Or Other“i am writing to formally report a significant paint defect on my 2013 acura tl. large sections of the clear coat are peeling off the vehicle and the issue continues to spread. the vehicle has been well maintained and regularly washed. this issue is not only unsightly and damaging to the vehicle’s resale value, but it may also lead to more serious…”
2023-05-24 · Power Train“the 2013 acura tl has a problem with the pistons in the engine causing excessive oil consumption. this was the subject matter of a class action described in the website acura oil consumption settlement. this part should be recalled and american honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons in the engine.…”
2022-02-07 · Air Bags“the airbag warning indicator keeps appearing. when message is pressed it says that airbag may not deploy when needed. states to turn car off and restart to see if indicator disappears- if reappear take to dealership to inspect…”
2022-01-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 acura tl. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, he heard abnormal rattling sounds coming from the hood of the vehicle. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that t…”
2021-12-24 · Steering“i was driving my 2013 acura tl on my way to work and suddenly i got an electronic power steering error that resulted in my steering wheel stiff and i had to use all my strength to pull over to the emergency lane. the vehicle's steering became very heavy and was very hard to turn. i am fortunate not to be in an accident when it occurred. there is s…”
2021-12-23 · Air Bags“the airbag warning indicator keeps appearing. when message is pressed it says that airbag may not deploy when needed. states to turn car off and restart to see if indicator disappears- if reappear take to dealership to inspect.…”
2021-09-07 · Steering“while crossing median ahead of oncoming traffic, electric power steering lost power, leaving me unable to steer to avoid collision. steering warning began to flash but gave no advance warning. i was not strong enough to steer the car. engine was running. car is available for inspection. honda dealer said they had never seen this problem. power st…”
2021-04-25 · Steering · 64,500 mi“2013 acura tl - 64,500 miles - driving on freeway in heavy traffic - check steering light comes on - was going to move over to far right lane and stop at next exit to check issue - steering wheel began to lock and would not let me go to right - instantly turned on flashers hoping someone would go around - all i could do to make it to side of roa…”
2021-02-02 · Air Bags“i was driving home when my air bag on driver side deployed…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.