2013 Acura TL problems
The 2013 Acura TL has 61 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Acura TL has 61 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 27 complaints, typically surfacing around 94,913 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 TL | 64 | 0 |
| 2011 TL | 20 | 0 |
| 2012 TL | 130 | 0 |
| 2013 TL (this page) | 61 | 0 |
| 2014 TL | 17 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2013 Acura TL? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 27 owner reports · tends to show around 94,913 mi · ~$700 to fix
- airbags — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 66,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 38,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 66,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Acura TL
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving my 2013 Acura Tl on my way to work and suddenly I got an electronic power steering error that resulted in my steering wheel stiff and I had to use all my strength to pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle's steering became very heavy and was very hard to…
The airbag warning indicator keeps appearing. When message is pressed it says that airbag may not deploy when needed. States to turn car off and restart to see if indicator disappears- if reappear take to dealership to inspect.
2013 Acura tl steering got locked after check power steering system, this is very risky if I was on highway and would have happen during driving. Such problems needs to be addressed by co asap as this is life threatening to driver including passengers in vehicle during problem.…
The car lost power steering completely while highway driving. Steering almost impossible to manage and a weaker/smaller/frail individual could not. Turning from a stop even more difficult. No warnings were given and the car was maintained religiously. The vehicle did have…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Acura TL reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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 2013 Acura TL?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 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 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Acura TL?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 27 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,913 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Acura TL a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 61 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 94,913 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Acura TL?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 27 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,913 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 94,913 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 2013 Acura TL?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 61 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.