2013 Acura TL Owner Complaints

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.

2/24/2017

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 STOPPED FOR FOOD AND I GOT STUCK IN THE DRIVE THROUGH (I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO MANUEVER OUT OF THE DRIVE THROUGH).

7/2/2017

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.

4/8/2016

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

4/25/2016

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

9/1/2014

TPMS CHECK TPMS SYSTEM

10/20/2017

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 REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM, MY VEHICLE HAVE GOTTEN WORST DUE TO THE WHOLE CAR VIBRATING WHEN THE A/C IS ON. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, VEHICLE HESITATES AND CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION COMES FROM THE ENGINE ARE WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 20-45 MPH. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND I KNOW HOW IT DROVE FROM DAY ONE, NOW IT DOES NOT DRIVE THE WAY IT DID. ACURA STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. ALL THE WORK WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY WHICH IS FOUR YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS FEW THOUSAND MILES AWAY FROM BEING OUT OF MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND I AM AFRAID MY VEHICLE WILL BREAK DOWN OR THE PROBLEM WILL GET WORST AND I WILL BE STUCK WITH A BROKEN CAR. ACURA ALSO STATED THERE IS A BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ACURA IS WORKING ON FINDING A SOLUTION.

9/20/2016

TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER/ PREMATURE FAILURE. JERKY TRANSMISSION. SHIFTING HARD. WENT TO 2 TORQUE CONVERTERS IN A YEAR.

5/23/2017

POWER STEERING EPS FAILURE RIGHT AROUND 60,000 MILES MY ACURA TL'S POWER STEERING EPS FAILED. THE CAR WAS DRIVING ~45MPH ON A STRAIGHT 2-LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, IT STARTED UP WITH NO ISSUES. THE NEXT DAY, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND NEVER RETURNED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A CHAIN OF EVENTS (ACCORDING TO MY ACURA LICENSED MECHANIC) WHICH CAUSED FAILURES IN AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK & PINION, EPS SENSORS, STEERING COMPUTER MODULE, AND MULTIPLE OTHER SENSORS. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $4,200 FOR REPAIR. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM ACURA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO KNOW PRIOR TO THE ISSUE (THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD) AND PRIOR TO HAVING TO PAY $4,200 AND BE STRANDED WITHOUT A CAR FOR 10 DAYS DURING REPAIRS. READING THROUGH REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE MADE A CLAIM WITH ACURA FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY EXPENSES, AND HOPE THEY DO THE CORRECT THING AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS (WHICH WERE COMPLETED) IS ATTACHED.

7/31/2019

MY CAR POWER STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN HAD A LIGHT TO TURN ON TO CHECK STEERING SYSTEM TOOK TO THE SHOP THEY SAID IS A ELECTRIC SITUATION THAN THE DEALERS HAS EXTENDED 15 YEAR GUARANTEE WANT TO KNOW DETAILS FOR REVERSE ME WHAT NEED TO SEND

5/2/2020

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 SUCH A NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER STREET CRACKS, SPEED BUMPS, ETC. AS I SAID, NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ACROSS THE INTERNET, YET NO ACTION THAT I CAN DETERMINE EITHER FROM ACURA OR HONDA. I AM WORRIED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED. *TR

10/28/2014

REAR SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POTHOLES AT LOWER SPEEDS. NOISE IS MORE PROMINENT WHEN ITS A SUDDEN HARD HIT ON POTHOLES AND SPEED BUMPS. IT SOUNDS LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE WHEN CONTROL ARM BUSHING GOES BAD AND IT MAKES METAL ON METAL SOUND. I TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID REAR STRUTS ARE THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR STRUTS BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THEY THEN SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE LINKS. BUT LATER DECIDED NOT TO BECAUSE THEY DID NOT THINK LINKS WERE THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID MOUNTING PLATES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THEM BUT PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT FIXED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANT DO ANYMORE WORK ON THE CAR WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM ACURA CORPORATION. THEY CONTACTED ACURA CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD BY ACURA TO DRIVE A SIMILAR CAR TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO FIGURE OUT IF ITS A NORMAL NOISE FOR THESE CARS. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE FINDINGS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR ALMOST 10 DAYS NOW NOT COUNTING THE PRIOR ATTEMPTS OF FIXING IT. I HAVE DRIVEN HONDA CARS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR SWAY BARS. BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE FINE. AFTER READING ONLINE FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT MAY REQUIRE A RECALL. I AM HOPING DEALERSHIP CAN FIGURE OUT THIS PROBLEM AND ACURA FIXES THIS POSSIBLY A SAFETY ISSUE SOON.

3/16/2017

I HAD THE HOOD UP IN ORDER TO PUT IN WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. JUST WHEN I STEPPED AWAY THE HOOD FELL DOWN. I TESTED IT AGAIN AND NOTICED THAT IT WOULD STAY UP ONLY IF IT WAS UP ALL THE WAY. HOWEVER, IF IT I TOUCHED IT LIGHTLY OR MOVED IT DOWN JUST A TINY AMOUNT, THE HOOD THEN FALLS DOWN LUCKILY MY HEAD OR ARM WAS NOT UNDER THE HOOD WHEN IT FELL DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL IN THE 2 PISTON LIKE SHOCK ABSORBERS WHICH HOLD UP THE HOOD, LOOSES VISCOSITY AND THE PISTONS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES AND THE HOOD IS RARELY OPENED. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE DEALER HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK. THAT TELLS ME THESE PISTONS FAIL REGULARLY. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PISTONS FOR THE HOOD WERE MUCH STRONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL ONES.

8/25/2018

THE STRUTS/SHOCKS NO LONGER HOLD THE HOOD OPEN/UP. 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.

3/28/2019

BURNS ENGINE OIL

4/13/2019

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.

5/24/2023

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

9/5/2013

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

9/5/2013

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 UNDERSTANDING IS THAT LOW BEAMS SHOULD TYPICALLY SHINE AT LEAST 160 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 3/31/13 AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THEY HAVE CHECKED THEM AND SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE. I AM SOMEWHAT CONCERNED THAT THE ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY CHECK FOR FORWARD ILLUMINATION ON HEADLAMPS; HOWEVER,I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT OTHER ACURA TL 2013 OWNERS MAY BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND THIS LACK OF VISIBILITY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR DEATHS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

10/14/2013

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

9/1/2014

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIT UP SAYING TIRES WERE LOW, WHEN CHECKED THE TIRES WERE AT PROPER PRESSURE.

10/25/2017

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 ROAD - HAD TO LEAVE CAR AND CALL UBER TO ARRIVE SAFELY TO MY DESTINATION - BEGAN LOOKING AT COMPLAINS - APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING COMPLAINT AND NO SAFETY WARNINGS / RECALLS HAVE BEEN FILED - WENT WITH ACURA DUE TO THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS OF VERY SAFE AND DEPENDABLE CAR BUT AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND NO EXCUSE FOR PUTTING PEOPLE IN SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION- PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOME IS KILLED - AT THE VERY LEAST GIVE A WARNING THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING - IS ACURA TRYING TO LOOSE REPEAT CUSTOMERS- THEY ARE SUCCEEDING - TERRIBLE REPUTATION FOR ACURA IF U DON'T DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS FIRST - WE'VE BEEN LOYAL -NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO SHOW LOYALTY TO US - -

4/25/2021

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 the serpentine belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that he contacted the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

1/10/2022

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 deterioration of the exterior over time, including rust or corrosion. After researching online, I discovered that this appears to be a widespread issue affecting numerous Acura and Honda vehicles from similar model years. I am requesting that Acura take responsibility for this clear coat failure and offer a paint repair or reimbursement under a goodwill or extended warranty program. I would also appreciate confirmation as to whether there are any technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended paint warranties related to this issue.

4/8/2025