Acura TL problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 20 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Acura tl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
My wife was driving,I was in the front passenger seat and we smelled rubber burning next we noticed smoke from the hood area. We pulled over turned on the flashers and opened the hood and smoke came out heavy and I saw a fire at the bottom of engine area.we called 911 and a fire…
I purchased a 2011 Acura TL with a salvaged title. The steering wheel airbag appeared to have been repaired with certain glue or epoxy after appearing to have been deployed by previous owner. However the airbag is fully intact. The Acura dealership refused to conduct the recall…
I was driving my vehicle on the highway to work and my electronic power steering went out I almost hit a tractor trailer and it caused me to have a panic attack because it all happened so fast I did not know what to do besides slam on the brakes. This issue could of potentially…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Acura TL reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Acura TL is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Acura TL?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Acura TL does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Acura TL?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 13 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 60,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 60,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura TL has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Acura TL?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 20 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.