repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2012 Acura TLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 130 owner complaints about the 2012 Acura TL, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-182 the manufacturer reports only 49% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Acura TL has problems
130 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
43Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
27Power train
25Steering1 crash/fire/injury
18Engine
11Electrical system
6Vehicle speed control
4Wheels
4Service brakes
4Structure
169 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 43 | 2 |
| Power train | 27 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 1 |
| Engine | 18 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| 9 other systems | 16 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 Acura TL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other TL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the TL median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Acura TL safety ratings
2012 Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Acura TL, and the recalls they led to.
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
In owners' words
What TL owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
In an auto collision where a car rear end the vehicle from an idle position into an 18-foot box truck in front which was also idle. The vehicle smashed in the front and back which it was deemed a total loss and the airbag did not deploy. This caused the driver to have several injuries including a…
MY RED AIRBAG LIGHT & MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE STATIONARY. WHEN IT COMES ON IT STAYS ON FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE NEXT. WHEN I RETURN BACK TO THE CAR TO START IT AGAIN ITS NOT ON, BUT IF I WAIT A WHILE TO GO TO ANOTHER DESTINATION THE CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT COMES…
I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THE TAKATA STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, THEN IN JAN 2019 I GOT A AIRBAG WARNING 31-1 AIRBAG SYSTEM. ACURA RESET THE WARNING, BUT 3 MONTH LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN. THIS IS NOT COVERED ANYMORE, BUT I WOULD THINK ACURA WOULD HELP…
Own a 2012 TL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.