2012 Acura TL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 21%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Acura TL, 21% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There has to be a recall on 4th generation Acura TL's with the 6 speed auto transmission (mine is a 2012 sh-awd tech package). My car produces the tachometer jumping approximately 300-500 RPM when cruising in 5th gear around 35-45 MPH. The tach jump is so large I actually have looked at it while driving, it's distracting and needs to be fixed, I am willing to bet it's the torque converter. Car is going to Acura dealer on 12/3/2015 for diagnostic testing: . …”
NHTSA complaint #10807770, filed 2015-12, 40,000 miles“After owning my 2012 Acura TL for roughly 2yrs, I've become concerned with the engine workmanship. Acceleration seems to be at a loss between 30-45mph in between gear changes. It's almost as though the transmission doesn't know what to do. You have to either let up on the acceleration or increase your speed to avoid that annoying hesitation. The second problem is what I would describe as lifter/valve noise. The noise occurs when accelerating, intermittently though. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643218, filed 2014-10, 30,000 miles“On 7/20/2017, I was driving on I-680 s towards fremont ca. I was driving roughly 70 MPH. When I was about to pass a car, all of a sudden, the engine lost power. I hit the gas paddle all the way down, and it didn't work. As I felt a significant loss of power, I pull over to the side and stopped the vehicle. The engine shut down immediately when I came to a complete stop. I tried to restart my car, but it does not work, and the engine check light popped up. I had my insurance towed my car to oakland Acura, as I did an oil change there on 7/19/2017. …”
NHTSA complaint #11133630, filed 2018-10, 70,755 miles“I have been complaining to Acura about the transmission tach hunting and car vibrations since the car was between 1-2 years old. No one could figure out the problem. They did find and repair a leak on the drive shaft that they said might have been the cause of my complaints. That did not fix it and I was told that honda/Acura transmissions were abrupt in their changes, and tended to favor lower gears, as a method of increasing fuel economy. Progressively the problem has gotten worse and now the Acura dealer is telling me that the problem is the torque converter.”
NHTSA complaint #10873171, filed 2016-06, 49,416 miles“I purchased a new 2012 Acura TL on 2/8/12. Each day I drive 35 miles to and from work on interstate 75 with a posted speed of 70 MPH. Within a few days I noticed that when the car reached 70 MPH a persistent high frequency vibration came up through the driver's side floor and in particular through the accelerator pedal. By the time I reached work or home my entire right foot and calf was numb and buzzing. It felt as though I had 'fallen asleep and caused the nerves to be temporarily non-functional. …”
NHTSA complaint #10459240, filed 2012-05, 1,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10145423Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles, based on how they are driven (extreme conditions), may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI…
- 10145422Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10145419Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is replaced by 18-047, 2012-14 TL: Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch (Snapshot Required)
- 10119596Oct 13, 2017Customer letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. There may be a judder from…
- 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…
- 10086138Aug 26, 2016Customer letter notifying owners that there is a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 2045 mph. To minimize the possibility for the judder…
- 10084737Aug 9, 2016Service 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…
- 10085041Aug 3, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 27 | 21% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 10 | 16% |
| 2009 | 5 | 12% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 9% |
| 2004 | 56 | 10% |
| 2003 | 246 | 63% |
| 2002 | 224 | 67% |
| 2001 | 103 | 69% |
| 2000 | 111 | 45% |
| 1999 | 37 | 24% |
| 1998 | 2 | 10% |
| 1997 | 3 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2012 Acura TL
43 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsElectrical system
11 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 31, 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