Acura Tl ReliabilityAll Years Ranked (1996–2013)
Side-by-side reliability scores, risk levels, and owner-cost projections for every Acura Tl we've analyzed. Identify the best years to buy, the ones to avoid, and the problems that follow the Tl across generations.
Average Score
80/100
Best Year
2008 Acura Tl
Score 88
Weakest Year
1999 Acura Tl
Score 68
Every Acura Tl Ranked
Sorted by reliability score. Each link opens the full year-specific report.
A high-performance luxury sedan that largely delivers on reliability, provided key known issues are addressed or inspected.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Interior Dashboard
A testament to Honda's engineering, the 2011 TL is a reliable, luxurious, and engaging sedan with only a few predictable points of wear.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission Torque Converter · Power Steering System · A/C Compressor Clutch Relay / Hands-Free Link (HFL) Module
A premium, reliable sport sedan that rewards proactive maintenance with years of trouble-free driving.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (FWD) · Power Steering System · HandsFreeLink (HFL) Module
A premium, reliable sedan, but prioritize automatic transmission health and pre-purchase inspection.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Electrical - HFL Module
A compelling luxury sport sedan that blends spirited performance with exceptional long-term reliability, provided you address a few known quirks.
Top risks: Power Steering System · Interior Dashboard · Automatic Transmission
A premium sedan offering impressive long-term reliability when key maintenance is performed.
Top risks: Power Steering System · Automatic Transmission (Fluid Degradation) · A/C Compressor
A superb luxury value with one major potential money pit: its automatic transmission.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Electrical / Navigation System
A well-maintained 1996 Acura TL is a testament to Honda engineering, but age makes vigilance essential for continued reliability.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Electrical Systems (Age-Related) · Suspension & Steering Components
A strong luxury sport sedan let down by a significant transmission vulnerability, demanding cautious consideration.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Interior Dashboard
A premium sport sedan value, but its automatic transmission is a looming shadow.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (5-speed) · Power Steering System · Dashboard Cracking
A powerful, comfortable luxury sedan that offers great value, but its automatic transmission demands scrutiny.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Interior (Dashboard)
A comfortable, affordable classic held back by a potentially costly, well-documented transmission flaw.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Electrical System (Age-Related)
A comfortable, older luxury sedan with a reliable engine, but the transmission and aging electronics demand meticulous pre-purchase inspection and ongoing vigilance.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A driver's car with a potent engine, but the automatic transmission demands careful inspection and consideration.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Dashboard Cracking · Power Steering System
A comfortable, well-appointed sedan whose excellent engine is sadly coupled with a notoriously unreliable automatic transmission.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Navigation/Radio Display
A comfortable cruiser with a critical transmission flaw that can easily turn an affordable luxury into a money pit.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · EGR System & Engine Seals
A comfortable, powerful sedan that carries a significant transmission-related financial risk, demanding careful pre-purchase scrutiny.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · HVAC & Electrical
A comfortable luxury sedan at a bargain, but its Achilles' heel is a costly transmission that demands upfront attention.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Steering System · Engine Misfires / Ignition System
Problems That Follow the Tl Across Generations
Issues that appear in the top-3 risks across multiple model years — the cost of ownership you can actually predict.
Power Steering System
Appears in 16 model years · 89% of generations
Automatic Transmission
Appears in 14 model years · 78% of generations
Interior Dashboard
Appears in 3 model years · 17% of generations
Dashboard Cracking
Appears in 2 model years · 11% of generations