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Acura TL power steering loss problems

37 of the 3,117 owner complaints about the Acura TL describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
37
worst model year
2013
typical repair cost reported
$1,700
typical mileage
95,900
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · 164,000 miles · MS

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 the federal safety agency 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. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Steering · VA

After driving the vehicle for about 30 minutes a red flashing dash warning light came on with an alarm that there is a power steering problem, after which power steering was lost. Parked the vehicle for two hours to have dinner and then proceeded home with normal steering until reaching home when the same dash warning light and alarm occurred. The following day had vehicle towed to dealership to diagnose the problem. They could not duplicate the problem, and no computer code of failure was recorded, therefore they could not therefore proceed to execute a repair, so I picked up the vehicle and drove home. I called Honda customer service to open a case number for my issue and the called the following day and basically told me what the dealership told me. I have since driven the vehicle several times without issue, however, am concerned that my wife is the primary driver and being elderly will have extreme difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle if she encounters a power steering failure.

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Electrical · NV

At random times the engine dies while driving the car which has resulted in unsafe handling and loss of power steering while in traffic conditions. I was unaware of a recall (02V120000) until recently. I have owned this car sense 2002 and the current millage is 109,000 miles. I contacted Findlay Acura in Henderson NV. and they stated there was no recall on the ignition switch which I have recently found that there was as noted above. Can you contact the Dealer on my behalf as I am under the impression that the dealer is suppose to replace the defective part at no cost as it does cause an unsafe condition when it occurs. Engine just dies without warning. There has not been an independent assessment of the condition as it occurs on a random basis and of course, never occurs when you want it to.

Filed Dec 24, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · GA

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.

Filed May 22, 2021 · Brakes, Transmission · WA

My car has been automatically shutting off while driving. Bringing my car to a halt, not a full on stop but to the point my wheels lock up. Sort of like im slamming on my brake but I can't press my brake. I lose power steering, the entire car shuts off. Then I have to try and restart it, but it won't turn over. Sometimes its just for a few minutes. Other times Im stranded for hours. A few times its been days. After it dies and i turn the key off and then back on but not over ill have power. I have a kid and we've been stranded on an on ramp with cars going 60 all around us. The car just randomly shut off in the middle of the road. There's a lot of traffic around these parts and we were stuck, not even being able to get out of the vehicle with the cars going on each side of us. Ive done some research and ive seen thousands of other complaints about this issue since 2002. Ive had 3 different mechanics try to figure out what the issue was. Have had my car at the shop for weeks at a time. A few times even the mechanics couldn't get it started, and it had to sit for 3 days before it would start up again. The check engine light is on and all 3 different mechanics have fixed everything thats came up. After this started happening ive had to replace brakes and rotors several times. My car started shifting way to late. And feels like its starting to slip. This is a safety hazzard. Especially in larger cities.

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 150,000 miles · KS · fire

After having my car in the shop for 2 weeks trying to figure out why the power steering won't stop freaking exploding when there is nothing wrong with any of the parts except the hoses going bad. I once again was left in the middle of a busy street with no power steering trying to muscle my way back to the shop. This is ridiculousssssss. Why are they not telling us their cars have issues!!!!!

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 145,000 miles · KS · crash · 1 injury

February 2020 going downhill at 30mph on a curved road, and my wheel snaps to the right thanks to recalled ball joints!!!!!!!!! Hit the curb, snapped my rotor in half and the brake line. Lower control arm went thru my cradle. Spinning out of control with no steering and no freaking brakes at all. Out of nowhere! Totaled suspension all the way around. Only freakin airbag to go off was the passenger window airbag. Whole car was [xxx] because of manufactor issues! Sounds like acura should replace my freaking car. Oh wait.. I did. And today the one im driving right now randomly had the power steering explodeeeeee and I almost got hit by a semi while turning and randomly losing steering out of nowhere once again!! Which fried my cooling fan, and overheated my motor on my attempt to drive home with no power steering.... So yeah. Never buying another acura again, parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Steering · 72,534 miles · OH

I was driving my 2013 acura tl on the interstate when I got an 'electronic power steering ' error that resulted in my steering wheel required me 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 that my wife was not driving, because she would not have had the strength to pull over to the emergency lane without power steering. Acura should be ashamed of themselves to not have issued a recall for this issue.

Filed May 2, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 80 miles · CA

My car power steering became hard to turn had a light to turn on to check steering system took to the shop they said is a electric situation than the dealers has extended 15 year guarantee want to know details for reverse me what need to send

Filed Apr 11, 2020 · Steering · 100,000 miles · NV

Driving on freeway, warning light and bell started going off and I had no steering! Steering wheel was completely stiff. Scary! Definitely grateful I didn't wreck

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported May 17, 2012 · 625,762 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
Risk
If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
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. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 12V222000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported February 27, 2008 · 273,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
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).

Recall number 08V091000 · Recall details

Questions about the Acura TL power steering loss

Which Acura TL years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (9 complaints), 2012 (8 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the Acura TL?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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