AI Damage2013 Acura TL: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Acura TL filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 62
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 45% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 31% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- Steering: 28 complaints (45% of all).
- Air bags: 19 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (6% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 3 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 62 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 acura tl. While driving approximately 15 mph, the driver's side air bag erroneously deployed. The contact crashed the vehicle into a brick mailbox. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the chest and arms, which required medical attention.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Unable to check engine/fluids without using some other means to hold the hood open/up. First time it happened I was almost struck by the unexpectedly closing hood.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,759 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TL has 156 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 62, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- TL 199626 sources
- TL 199723 sources
- TL 199820 sources
- TL 1999157 sources
- TL 2000249 sources
- TL 2001149 sources
- TL 2002333 sources
- TL 2003391 sources
- TL 2004551 sources
- TL 2005388 sources
- TL 2006247 sources
- TL 2007124 sources
- TL 2008124 sources
- TL 200942 sources
- TL 201064 sources
- TL 201120 sources
- TL 2012130 sources
- TL 201417 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Acura TL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 62. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (35%), warning lights, check engine (11%), loss of power / limp mode (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Acura TL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Acura TL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.