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
2012 Acura TL steering problems
critical 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
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.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.