Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | 12% | 57,000 miles |
| 2013 | 28 | 45% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 25 | 19% | 72,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% | 186,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 41,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2008 | 26 | 21% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 28 | 11% | 120,000 miles |
| 2005 | 25 | 6% | 130,000 miles |
| 2004 | 34 | 6% | 150,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% | 161,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% | 96,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% | 143,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% | 170,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% | 150,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving my 2013 Acura Tl on my way to work and suddenly I got an electronic power steering error that resulted in my steering wheel stiff and I had to use all my strength to pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle's steering became very heavy and was very hard to turn. I am fortunate not to be in an accident when it occurred. There is so many people with Acura TL having this issue and Acura need to do something about it.
On Monday, July 27, 2026, my vehicle suffered a complete failure of the EPS system at startup in my garage, making the steering wheel lock and rendering the vehicle completely non-operational. The vehicle did start and would go into gear but there was a severe increase in steering effort, creating an emergency situation and an extreme safety hazard on public roads if it was driven. The vehicle was towed to an independent automotive repair facility where a certified technician performed a diagnostic scan and isolated the failure to the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control unit. The independent shop verified that my vehicle's VIN is covered under American Honda/Acura's active 15-year/unlimited-mile warranty extension for Service Bulletin 19-021, which was issued specifically to address a known manufacturing defect involving internal EPS relay wire fatigue. …
While driving in heavy traffic and making a right turn,the power steering screen began to blink and immediately the power steering locked up. I had to manually turn the wheel and was able to over to the side and stop. After several minutes, the wheel finally unlocked and I pulled into a parking lot where it occurred again. I turned the key on and the unlocked wheel began to work again After making it home, I checked the drivers manual and found nothing. I checked complaints and found 95 instances but no recalls. It was very frightening for this situation and dangerous. This happened on July 14,2021.
Electronic power steering failure. I had just driven my Acura for approximately 60 miles and stopped to get a bottle of water. When I came back out and restarted the car, the EPS failure warning appeared in the info center an a code 32 showed up in the message center.. I had to drive my vehicle for over 700 miles until I was able to get it to my local Acura dealer. They diagnosed the problem and ordered a new EPS module. Total cost of the repair exceeded $1100. I contacted Acura to request a goodwill discount since I have never experienced a catrophic steering failure in any vehicle. They told me that since I was not the original purchaser of the vehicle, they would not assist. The car is outside the warranty, however it seems ridiculous that a critical component part that fails within the first 10 years or 150,000 mile in a new vehicle is uncomprehensible to me. …
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that after his wife had dropped him off at work, she was driving at an undisclosed speed when the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights was illuminated. The contact then stated that his wife had parked the vehicle in the garage when she heard an exploding sound where the vehicle was parked. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife noticed that the vehicle was inflamed. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police nor fire report was filed. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that upon research, he noticed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TL. The contact stated that the power steering fluid reservoir needed to be refilled more often than expected, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the Vehicle Safety Assist (VSA) system failed and the VSA Modulator Control illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure of the VSA system had caused the locking mechanisms and seat belts to fail to operate as needed. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 12V222000 (Steering) and 08V091000 (Steering); and linked the failure to the recalls. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
TL* the contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle as the steering wheel was turned accompanied by a loud buzzing noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that there was a leak in the high pressure power steering hose and that the hose would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 08V091000 (steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections) but was advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the power steering hose deteriorated prematurely and resulted in power steering fluid to leaking onto the engine. While the vehicle was stopped, smoke began to rise from the engine where the fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure dignosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08V091000 (steering: hydraulic power assists: hose, piping, and connections). They offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Honda is recalling 273,000 my 2004-2008 Acura tl vehicles. Prolonged high under-hood temperatures May cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2008. Owners May contact Acura at 800-382-2238. This is an expansion of a previous recall (please see 07V551).
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura TL years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (34), 2006 (28), 2013 (28), 2008 (26) and 2005 (25) model years. Steering complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Acura TL steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 12V-222 (hose, piping, and connections, May 17, 2012); 08V-091 (hose, piping, and connections, Feb 27, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura TL steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles; 13% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (9 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.