2012 Acura TL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Acura TL, 8% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my 2012 Acura TL and the car just stalled on me all of a sudden. The car wouldn't start since then. All the light were coming on but there was no crank. I took it to the dealership, and they told me its the PCM. I didn't see any sign, the car was driving good before that happened. Another issue with the car that I noticed was, when the car shift to the seconf gear, it jerks which is not normal to me. I haven't seen any other problem yet, because I just purchased the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10745652, filed 2015-08, 120,000 miles“I was driving around 40mph and all of sudden the eletronic power steering system light went on. I was not able to steer at all. I had to use all my energy along with body weight to pull the steering wheel to the right so that I could park along the curb. I almost got hit by another vehicle because this happened when I was trying to change lane. I took to the dealer and they took me the diagnostic code 32-09 (power steering module failure). They quoted me $900. Very expensive. This is a very serious issue and well known issue with honda and Acura. It can be life threaten issue to some people.”
NHTSA complaint #11032736, filed 2017-10, 103 miles“Keyless start (push button) and problem occurred when no warning that key fob was not in vicinity of car after car was started and driven 2 hours away. My daughter handed me her keys to the Acura TL (incl key fob) through the drivers side window after the car had been started so I could get some items out of our other car before she left to return to her home 5 hours away. I retrieved her items but forgot to give her the key fob back as the car was running and no warning indicators were given (audio or visual) that the key fob was not in the vicinity of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10542876, filed 2013-09, 22,000 miles“The warning lights came on and then the steering completely went out while driving. This was a very dangerous situation. My wife was barely able to get the car off the road. This happened twice. The first time, the service department replaced the battery and two days later it happened again. It turned out to be the eps module. This was very scary and dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11104197, filed 2018-06, 107,000 miles“The vehicle's electronic power steering system fails and the car is near to impossible to steer when driving due to the system failing. Difficult resistance is experienced in motion on city streets, highways and being stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11246385, filed 2019-08, 135,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10130041Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as…
- 10106669Dec 14, 2016Dealer message - since the posting of service bulletin 16-033 for 09-11 tl software update for lock-up function there has been a sharp rise in claims for torque converter shudder…
- 10106668Dec 14, 2016Dealer message - since the posting of service bulletin 16-033 for 09-11 tl software update for lock-up function there has been a sharp rise in claims for torque converter shudder…
- 10086223Sep 17, 2016"service bulletin - there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a…
- 10085043Aug 3, 2016"dealer message - today, august 3, 2016, acura reinstated the temporarily suspended service bulletins 16-030, product update: software update for lock-up function and 16-040…
- 10085024Aug 2, 2016"service bulletin - there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a…
- 10084495Jul 21, 2016"dealer message - today, july 21, 2016, acura temporarily suspended service bulletins 16-030, product update: software update for lock-up function and 16-040, warranty extension…
- 10084384Jul 7, 2016"dealer message - acura is announcing a product update and a warranty extension for model year 2012 acura tl vehicles to address torque converter judder, shudder, or vibration…
- 10084382Jul 7, 2016"service bulletin - there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a…
- 10084381Jul 7, 2016"service bulletin - there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 10% |
| 2012 | 11 | 8% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 12% |
| 2007 | 25 | 20% |
| 2006 | 31 | 13% |
| 2005 | 28 | 7% |
| 2004 | 11 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 4% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 10% |
| 1999 | 58 | 37% |
| 1998 | 3 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 35% |
| 1996 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Acura TL
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Acura TL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology