Acura TL steering lock-up problems

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Steering · CA

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. The vehicle was subsequently towed to Metro Acura for the warranty repair. Because the manufacturing defect is inherently intermittent, the EPS system temporarily self-recovered due to ignition cycling and physical vibrations during flatbed transit. Metro Acura and American Honda are currently denying warranty coverage and refusing to replace the defective EPS unit, stating they cannot honor the warranty extension unless they can actively duplicate the failure on-site or pull a live code themselves. By refusing to honor the safety warranty extension and ignoring a documented professional diagnosis of a known, intermittent component fracture, the manufacturer and dealer are forcing me to retrieve and operate a vehicle with a volatile, un-repaired steering defect. This poses an ongoing, severe risk of sudden steering loss to myself, my passengers, and other motorists. I request that the federal safety agency investigate American Honda’s practice of denying coverage for this critical, intermittent safety defect.

Filed Jan 19, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · OR

I was driving down HWY 101 in Oregon State in the rain. I was accelerating because I had just turned onto the highway, I got up to about 60 mph whe the car started dinging as it does when you open the door with the keys still in the ignition. The VSA light, as well as the engine, oil, abs and battery lights all started flashing on the dash and the car turned off. The steering wheel locked up and I had to throw it in neutral, turning the key back and forth from the off position to the start position to get it to unlock right before I crashed into on coming traffick! There has been nothing wrong with the car other than routine maintenance an absolutely no signs anything is wrong with the car. It has 168436 miles on it and has been religiously maintained. There is a SERIOUS problem with this vehicle for something like this to happen. I've owned hundreds of cars and never experienced anything like this happening, ever!

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Steering · CO

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.

Filed Sep 3, 2020 · Steering · 153,000 miles · GA

While backing out of my garage the check "electronic power system" indicator light came on as I was backing into the street out of my driveway. As I entered the street the steering wheel locked and would not let me turn the wheel to complete turning to straighten the wheels to drive forward. I was literally stuck in the middle of the street and I live on the downside of a hill so cars can't see me until they top the hill, fortunately my husband was home and helped push the car back into the driveway. Although not as scary as some of the incidents I have read about the eps module failing, I understand the fear they must have had with this happening on a busy highway or street. I now have to have my car towed to the nearest acura dealership which is 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic because I'm to afraid to drive on the freeway. The cost of repair that was quoted is astronomical, $420 labor, $780.06 for the part...not to mention the tow$$. Really... Acura/honda, you got to know this is a safty issue if there ever was one! What will it take...a grandmother (like me) driving her grand kids to daycare to lose control before you acknowledge this is a problem. The federal safety agency, please follow up!

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Steering · 56,700 miles · MD

My car only has 56,700 miles on it and the eps failed while I was driving the car. Nearly caused a serious accident when the steering froze and I could not move the steering wheel.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Steering · 194,604 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 acura tl. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact did not call the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The contact was advised to call the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 194,604.

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Steering · 111,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 acura tl. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 22, 2015 · Steering · 170,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 acura tl. While making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v091000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Steering · 46,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 acura tl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the steering wheel lock warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the electronic power steering computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 96,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura tl. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and there was smoke rising from the engine compartment. The contact also mentioned there was a visible power steering leak and the brake lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering hose and brake sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.