The compact Acura TL has been a popular vehicle for commuters and others looking for a comfortable and efficient car. Though it’s been replaced with the Acura TXL, buyers will find many used options available. This has led to questions about problems with the Acura TL.
What problems are common with the Acura TL?
The Acura TL is a reliable little car, but it does have some common problems to watch for. These include:
- Hood closing unexpectedly
- Sudden loss of engine power
- Problems with the locks
- Power steering problems
- Burning engine oil
This article is going to address these and other Acura TL problems. If you’re considering buying an Acura, take a look to see what problems to watch for.
The Popular Acura TL
Acura manufactured its TL from 1996 to 2014, giving it a long and successful run. It was one of the top-selling sedans in the country for many years. As a luxury performance sedan, the Acura TL had significant power combined with exceptional handling.
This was a winning combination for many buyers, and it added to the sedan’s popularity. It also had high ratings for reliability and repair. A low cost of ownership is popular among those in the market for used cars.
Even though the Acura TL has a low repair rate and cost of ownership, it’s not immune to problems. Knowing what those potential problems are before buying one will help you choose wisely.
Common Problems with the Acura TL
Hood Closing Unexpectedly
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11192223
Checking fluids in a vehicle is critical to keeping it running well. One Acura TL owner found that the struts on a 2013 model stopped holding the hood open. This made it impossible to perform routine maintenance checks.
This is also a safety risk. If the struts fail while someone is accessing the engine, they could get hit.
Replacing the struts is the fix for this problem. This is fairly easy for the dealer to do once an owner knows the issue is present.
Sudden Loss of Engine Power
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11133630
Having your engine stop running unexpectedly is a scary situation, and that’s exactly what one 2012 Acura TL owner reported. While driving at 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power and shut down completely. The car would not restart.
At the dealership, the mechanic told the owner that the intake and exhaust valves were not working properly. Adjusting these valves seemed to solve this dangerous problem.
Automatic Lock Malfunction
VehicleHistory.com Customer Review
On December 2, 2019, Ashley B. placed a review for her 2013 Acura TL. According to the review, the automatic locks would not work. This seems to be a known problem for the vehicle.
This problem is repairable by having the locks replaced. The dealerships charge individually for each lock, so this can be an expensive problem to address.
Electronic Power Steering Failure
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11129120
One owner who purchased a used 2012 Acura TL reported a catastrophic failure of the electronic power steering. The owner was able to have the vehicle repaired at an Acura dealer.
Without power steering, the vehicle becomes difficult to steer and control. This problem needs to be addressed quickly to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive.
Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
NHTSA Complaint ID: 10807119
Engine oil is like the lifeblood of your car. One owner of a 2012 Acura TL had to replace two engines because of oil consumption problems. Without oil, the engine failed.
The best way to deal with this problem is two-fold. First, regularly check the oil to make sure it’s filled where it should be. Second, if it appears to be burning oil, have the engine repaired before it suffers damage.
Hard Shifting Transmission
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11013711
Another complaint for the 2012 Acura TL indicates that the automatic transmission doesn’t shift smoothly. The owner took the car to the dealer for a software update, but the problem returned.
This problem appears to not have a solution, and it doesn’t appear to be damaging the vehicle in any way. Owners should ask their dealers to make sure there isn’t a serious transmission issue brewing.
