The Acura TL has been a long-standing name in the so-called ‘executive’ end of the midsize sedan segment and the 2012 model marks the halfway point to its fourth generation with minor visual and tech updates. Being a car that is essentially based on the tried and tested Honda Accord has more or less helped it to gain some rather decent reputation for reliability compared to its German counterparts, which it was designed to go against in the first place. 3 recalls and 122 complaints are surprisingly low for this class which does vouch for a better user experience. So do all these statements make the Acura as bulletproof as the Honda it is based on? We have all the problems on this car discussed in this section to make sure if the dependability claims are genuine or not. So, the real question is, would you spend a minimum of $37,500 for this dressed-up Accord instead of something like the Audi A4, the Mercedes Benz C-Class, and the BMW 3 series?
2012 Acura TL User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine problems- High mileage 2012 Acura TL sedans, especially the ones with odos over 100,000 miles, have been reported to consume excessive engine oil. Initial batches of its 3.7L V6 engine are known to have premature wear of piston rings which is the main cause of this problem. However, Honda has extended the warranty of this motor officially to 8 years/ 125,000 miles to cover all damages if experienced within this mileage limit. Replacement parts include Pistons, pins, and piston rings. Valve clearance issues are also something to look out for on this engine, which if not adjusted at the right intervals, may lead to increased wear of the camshaft, rocker, and valves. Knocking, ticking noise, and power loss are some indications of this issue and the average failure mileage is around 100,000 miles.
- Transmission Problems- Harsh shifts, unintended downshifts, excessive vibration, and slipping are some issues noticed by users with the 2012 Acura TL’s transmission. Though the gearbox itself is decently reliable, initial units reportedly had issues with the torque converter unit resulting in a rather unpleasant driving experience. Though recalls were not made available, some owners have reported receiving service notifications for a transmission oil flush and module software updates for suspected glitches with the unit. Failure mileage as stated is as low as 30,000 miles, however, instances of transmission replacement are rare.
Electric System complaints
- Radio Problems – Loss of audio, stuck radio station selector and no-power state are some common issues with the 2012 Acura TL’s radio/multimedia unit. While the power-up issues are mostly traced to faulty fuses (2 separate fuses for the head unit), audio and input issues are usually traced to the software of internal electronics failure.
- A/C problems- Faulty relay and compressor clutch failure of the HVAC system is one issue to watch out for on the 2012 Acura TL. While the former issue may have the same indications a faulty compressor clutch does necessitate a replacement with estimated costs between $930 to $1250. Know that low AC gas pressure does trigger the system to go to safe mode, preventing the compressor from kicking in. So before you go on replacing the compressor, make sure that there are no leaks in the plumbing causing a loss in gas pressure, which might be the reason for the issue in the first place.
Structural issues
- Power steering problems- Loss of steering assistance have been a pretty common issue on the 2012 Acura TL. Although this issue is mostly intermittent, some owners have reported of the steering completely locking itself when this happens. The issue was traced to a faulty electronic power steering module which has an estimated replacement cost of around $1,100. Even though Acura/Honda has recently recalled the previous generation of the TL for a similar power steering issue, 2013 does not seem to have received any sort of support on the matter.
Safety Complaints
- Airbags Issues- Airbag malfunction light is a pretty widespread issue on the 2012 Acura TL. This is not inherent to this sedan and is a part of a wider Takata recall for manufacturing defects with the airbag module. Three separate recalls have been initiated to rectify these issues and users are highly advised to perform this replacement to avoid the chances of serious injuries.
2012 Acura TL Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
27th July 2019 |
19V500000 |
Driver frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag modules that previously received replacement or service under the Takata recall may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2019. |
|
2 |
6th March 2019 |
19V182000 |
Driver frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag modules that previously received replacement or service under the Takata recall may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the driver's airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2019. |
|
3 |
3rd February 2016 |
16V061000 |
Driver frontal airbag inflator may rupture |
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, increasing the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began in March 2017. |
Should you buy a used 2012 Acura TL?
If you are least concerned about brands and have no issues spending a significant amount of money on what essentially is a suited-up Honda (exaggerating a bit here), the Acura TL is a really great option. With post-purchase expenses on the lower side, the 2012 Acura TL is one of those midsize sedans with a premium tag that offers a better ownership experience, both on dependability and cost aspects. However, the 3.7L engine is a sore thump here and does require that extra bit of care to run properly, more so when the mileage figure reaches the six-figure mark. Apart from that, you do have a fully equipped sedan that does most sedan things effortlessly. For that, the 2012 Acura TL does make it to the top of the list this year, coming out to be an appealing option for many, though priced a bit on the higher side.
