Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 TL.
The 2012 Acura TL is a passenger car equipped with an Automatic (S6) transmission that delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/29/23 mpg and uses 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Across the model's covered years from 1995 to 2014, this year accumulated 130 total owner complaints, placing it well below the 551 complaints recorded in 2004 but above the 1995 low of 1. With 3 recalls issued and Air Bags listed as the top complaint area, the 2012 model year represents a moderate point in the vehicle's reliability history compared to the range's extremes.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 194.1 in |
| Overall width | 74 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3737 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.4 / 63.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 29 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TL of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 5.30 sec | 13.90 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2012 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 5.20 sec | 13.80 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 5.20 sec | 13.70 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.80 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.50 sec | 14.80 sec | 305 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | in three steps: 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | in three steps: 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.22 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.30-2.80 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 53 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 16 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 65 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Acura TL represents a pronounced anomaly within this generation, with complaints surging to 130—more than six times the 2011 figure (20) and more than double the 2013 figure (61). This spike coincides with the introduction of one NHTSA investigation and elevated complaint volumes in Air Bags (36), Steering (19), and Power Train (19) categories, though the data does not specify root causes. The recall frequency remained stable at 3 across 2011–2014, suggesting the spike reflects emerging field failures rather than manufacturing changes captured by recalls. The broader trend shows complaints peaked in the early 2000s (551 in 2004), declined through 2009–2011, then resurged in 2012 before moderating again in 2013–2014. Given the complaint spike, the active investigation, and the concentration of issues in safety-critical systems, the 2012 model year appears less favorable than its neighboring years for a used purchase.
All 130 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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…
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… Remedy: 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…
Showing 5 of 114 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-020 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| B18-020 | 2022-04-08 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| B18-020 | 2022-03-01 | Equipment | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| BPaS02262021905 | 2021-02-26 | Service Brakes | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
| BPaS02102021903 | 2021-02-10 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined mpg.