Every 2012 Acura TL recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 19V500000
Jun 27, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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 to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V500000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 19V182000
Jun 3, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
- 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Full recall details for 19V182000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V061000
Mar 2, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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 susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V061000 →
2012 Acura TL complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Acura TL, reporting 3 crashes, 5 injuries, 1 deaths. Acura has issued at least 114 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags43
- Power Train27
- Steering25
- Engine18
- Electrical System11
- Vehicle Speed Control6
Service bulletins by component
- Air Bags (33)
- Engine (20)
- Equipment (17)
- Power Train (14)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (13)
- Electrical System (12)
Read Acura TL owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Acura TL
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Acura TL. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“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.”
2012 ACURA TLAug 3, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11477341
Injury reportedCrash
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TL. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.”
2012 ACURA TLAug 9, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10894631
Injury reportedCrash
“I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SLOWED DOWN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE STOP AND PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE.”
2012 ACURA TLJun 13, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10519752
“The vehicle has a faulty Hands free link module which runs the battery down when the vehicle is not in use. Acura has been aware of this problem since 2005. The government of this sorry ass country has done nothing about this issue except sit on their hands and accept payoffs from Acura.”
2012 ACURA TLFeb 21, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11719596
“Driving down the highway with my sun shade open but the actual sunroof closed and all of a sudden I just hear a loud pop and glass is all over my head and thighs. The sunroof shattered leaving me with glasses everywhere. No rock was in the sunroof when I was vacuuming the remaining parts of glass.”
2012 ACURA TLJul 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11671903
Check your TL by VIN
Not every 2012 Acura TL is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Acura dealer.
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