Model year guide

2012 Acura TL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Acura TL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 733 on record.

2012 Acura TL — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Acura TL at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints130
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Typical price$19,519

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Acura TL recalls 3

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V182000 · 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgelin…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer ser…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V500000 · 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V061000 · 03/02/2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be suscept…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Acura TL common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

2012 Acura TL safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Acura TL 4 DR FWD Later Release. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

What's a 2012 Acura TL worth?

Low
$17,000
Typical price
$19,519
High
$22,400

From 730 comparable 2012 Acura TL listings.

2012 Acura TL trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Technology Package · SH-AWD w/Technology Package · Advance Package · SH-AWD · SH-AWD w/Advance Package · TECH · SH-AWD ADV · ADV
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 280 hp · 3.7L 6-cyl 305 hp

2012 Acura TL vehicles on record

2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F23CA002640 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F23CA027165 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F26CA035583 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F24CA004980 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F59CA015354 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F24CA015137 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F58CA025292 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F55CA013536 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F27CA006447 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F2XCA019743 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F21CA014804 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F59CA011918 2012 Acura TL Advance Package19UUA8F74CA015828 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F55CA010197 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD w/Technology Package19UUA9F52CA000605 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F58CA017077 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F50CA025125 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F56CA024903 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F26CA008609 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F56CA020611 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F59CA012874 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F22CA019266 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Base19UUA8F27CA015987 2012 Acura TL 2012 Acura TL Technology Package19UUA8F5XCA025228

Other Acura TL model years

2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2012 Acura TL — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Acura TL have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Acura TL. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura TL?

Based on 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, engine.

What is the 2012 Acura TL safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Acura TL an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 4★, rollover 5★).

How much is a 2012 Acura TL worth?

Comparable 2012 Acura TL listings run roughly $17,000–$22,400, typically around $19,519 (from 730 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.