Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle's steering may feel heavier than normal - or is hard to turn - particularly when the vehicle is not moving because of an electric power steering (EPS) control unit failure. If this happens, either the EPS indicator blinks with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with at least one of the following DTCs stored: DTC 32-09, DTC 32-08, or DTC 61-04.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Acura TL steering problems
critical Owners of the 2012 Acura TL have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 87,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 TL | 26 |
| 2012 TL (this page) | 25 |
| 2013 TL | 27 |
1injury
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 25 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Acura TL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle's steering may feel heavier than normal - or is hard to turn - particularly when the vehicle is not moving because of an electric power steering (EPS) control unit failure. If this happens, either the EPS indicator blinks with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with at least one of the following DTCs stored: DTC 32-09, DTC 32-08, or DTC 61-04.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) control unit to 15 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty covers vehicles where the steering feels heavier than normal, or is hard to turn, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and either the EPS indicator blinks with no DTCs, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with DTC 32-09 (motor current correlation), DTC 32-08 (EPS control unit internal circuit [current sensor]), or DTC 61-04 (motor harness malfunction).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Dealer Message - On April 19, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2012-14 Acura TL vehicles to address a concern with the electric power steering (EPS) system. On June 1, 2019, Acura announced an expansion to include coverage for the 2011-14 TSX L4 and TSX Sport Wagon L4, four cylinder models. Today, July 11, 2019 is announcing the final expansion to this warranty extension to include certain 2011-14 TSX V6, six cylinder models. Under certain conditions, affected vehicles may experience: - Heavier than normal steering - The EPS indicator may blink with no DTCs - The indicator may come on steady with EPS DTC(s)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Dealer Message - On April 19, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2012-14 Acura TL vehicles to address a concern with the electric power steering (EPS) system. Today, June 1, 2019, Acura is announcing a vehicle population expansion to this warranty extension to also include coverage for the 2011-14 TSX L4 and TSX Sport Wagon L4, four cylinder models. Under certain conditions, affected vehicles may experience: - Heavier than normal steering - The EPS indicator may blink with no DTCs - The indicator may come on steady with EPS DTC(s)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2012 Acura TLs consistently report that the electronic power steering system fails abruptly, leaving the steering wheel stiff and nearly impossible to turn. The EPS warning light comes on, sometimes accompanied by beeping, and the power assist vanishes. Failures happen both during highway driving and at startup; some occur after just 30,000–46,000 miles, others at 60,000–100,000 miles. A few owners experience an intermittent version that clears after restarting the engine, only to recur days later.
The failures have sent owners scrambling for the shoulder mid-highway or left them stranded in parking lots unable to steer. One owner had to fight the wheel with body weight while changing lanes at 40 mph. Another nearly collided while exiting a roadway in heavy traffic.
Dealers consistently struggle to replicate the problem during diagnostic visits. Acura has issued no recall despite owners finding 95+ similar complaints online. When repair estimates come back, they run $900–$1,200 for EPS module replacement. Non-original owners are denied goodwill coverage. One dealership allegedly told a customer the company is "willing to cover some repairs," yet repairs still landed in owners' laps. A separate clicking noise in the steering column has also been reported, dismissed by dealerships as "normal" and denied warranty replacement.
Same Acura TL steering reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Module Failure
Complete loss of power steering assist, causing the steering wheel to become stiff and extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Occurs during driving or at startup. Owners report the EPS warning light illuminates on the dashboard, sometimes with beeping. The issue can recur after a restart or persist until the EPS module is replaced.
When: First occurrence reported as early as 46,000 miles; many failures occur between 30,000–100,000 miles; some within first few years of ownership (2012 model year through mid-2010s)
Symptoms owners cite: EPS warning light illuminated; Steering wheel seized or became stiff and rigid; Complete loss of power assist; wheel extremely difficult to turn; Erratic steering feel with reduced control; Steering wheel unable to move left or right
Codes mentioned: 32, 32-09
Repairs/costs cited: EPS module replacement required. Reported costs range from $900 to $1,200+. Some owners reported EPS unit or power steering component replacement; one owner reported $1,120 steering component replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued despite multiple complaints. Acura and dealers often claimed inability to duplicate the problem or stated the issue was normal. One owner reported dealership stated Acura was willing to cover some repair costs per dealership service department. Acura refused goodwill assistance to non-original purchasers and claimed no knowledge of widespread failures. Honda recall line stated no recall exists for the issue.
Steering Column Noise (Click or Pop)
Clicking or popping sound emanates from the steering column when steering wheel is near center and when beginning to turn slightly left or right. Owners reported the issue to dealerships and Acura Canada; technician stated the noise was normal and affects all Acuras, refusing to authorize warranty replacement.
When: Timing not specified in narrative; reported as recurring noise during normal steering operation
Symptoms owners cite: Click or pop sound from steering column; Noise occurs when steering wheel is at center position; Noise occurs when beginning to turn slightly left or right
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Dealership and manufacturer refused to authorize replacement, claiming the noise is normal across all Acura models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura Canada elevated complaint to dealership level. Technician confirmed witnessing the problem but refused warranty work, stating it is normal and affects all Acuras. Acura Canada suggested visiting another dealership for a second opinion but declined to authorize replacement.
Intermittent Power Steering Loss on Cold Start
Power steering fails or displays error code on startup, particularly in cold weather (8°C noted). The system recovers after turning the vehicle off and restarting it one or more times. Issue is difficult for dealers to replicate during diagnostic testing.
When: Occurs on cold starts; one example noted at 8°C ambient temperature; another at startup after leaving work at night
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure or loss of assist on startup; Power steering warning message or error code displayed; System recovers after vehicle restart; Steering very difficult to turn until restart resolves the issue
Codes mentioned: 32-09
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or replicate the problem during service visits. One case reported dealership replaced the battery before eventually identifying EPS module as the culprit. No permanent repair noted in some narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers ran diagnostic tests and contacted tech service with no abnormalities found in some cases. One dealer cleared the issue temporarily and advised to monitor; permanent repair status unclear.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Got electric power steering (eps) warning light and lost the power assist. Could not reset and had to drive car to dealer with no power assist. Very difficult to steer at low speed. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Acura tl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the steering wheel lock warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the electronic power steering computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
12/19/2012 9am, I was driving california freeway (110) about 30 miles/hr. Weather was clear, road was dry and no pot holes. I got "power steering warning" lights/beeps and I could not steer the car. It was very stiff to steer and I barely pulled over to the curve.(engine was still running). And I stopped the engine and turned back on then the problem disappeared. But it was the scary experience…
Came off work last night got into my car start it up and got a check power steering warning on my dashboard. Vehicle steering wheel is almost impossible to turn. Vehicle is not drivable. Problem occur while vehicle was stationary in a parking lot. Turn vehicle off after a few minutes and restart vehicle and problem went away. Same exact thing happened again this morning while vehicle was…
Electrical power steering internal failure *bf *tr
Car is 4.5 years old, trouble free. Drove car at noon, no problem. Left work at night with temp 8c and car started. Computer showed power steering failure, and power steering was not working. Stopped car and restarted it. Ps then worked. Stopped/restarted 4-5 times, no problem. I checked under the hood and there was no apparent problem, no fluid sprayed around etc.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Acura TL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Acura TL?
It's a serious issue. 25 complaints have been filed and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 58,000 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 87,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 112,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Acura/TL.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.