My GarageIs the Acura TL a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.5/5 overall, with reliability at 4.6/5 and running costs at 4.4/5. Shop 2009–2014 (4th gen) first and treat 2004–2008 (3rd gen with 3.2L) as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Acura TL · Midsize luxury sedan
Used Acura TL Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Acura Reliability Guide, Best Used Acura Models and Acura MDX Buying Guide.
The 2004–2014 TL is one of the great cheap luxury sedans on the used market — J-series V6 durability with a premium interior.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.5/5 · Excellent
- Reliability
- 4.6/5 · Excellent
- Best years
- 2009–2014 (4th gen)
- Years to research
- 2004–2008 (3rd gen with 3.2L)
- Maintenance cost
- 4.4/5 · Very good
- Parts availability
- 4.6/5 · Excellent
- Ownership cost
- 4.4/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes. One of the best used luxury sedan values on the market.
Shopping a specific TL?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.5/5
The 2009–2014 TL with 3.5L or SH-AWD 3.7L is the sweet spot. Older 6AT torque-converter shudder on some 3.2L examples.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.6/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.4/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.6/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.4/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2009–2014 (4th gen)
J35/J37 V6; refined chassis.
Side by side
Acura TL ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5/5 | Excellent |
| Reliability | 4.6/5 | Excellent |
| Maintenance | 4.4/5 | Very good |
| Parts availability | 4.6/5 | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | 4.4/5 | Very good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2004–2008 (3rd gen with 3.2L)
Torque-converter shudder on some automatic examples.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓TC shudder on older 5AT
- ✓AC compressor on high-mileage examples
- ✓Rear wheel bearings
- ✓SH-AWD rear-diff fluid
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Comparable to Honda for cost; parts are cheap.
Timing belt on J-series every 105k.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
J35/J37: smooth idle; timing-belt service history.
Transmission
Test for TC shudder at cruise.
SH-AWD
Rear-diff fluid history.
Suspension
Struts and bushings at 150k+.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast cars.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Comfortable, quick, and premium-feeling for the money.
- • Real-world 26–28 mpg highway.
- • Discontinued — used prices are strong.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Acura TL?
Yes. One of the best used luxury sedan values on the market.
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Acura TL?
Verdict scores it 4.6/5 for reliability and 4.5/5 overall. Buy from 2009–2014 (4th gen) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which TL years should I avoid?
2004–2008 (3rd gen with 3.2L) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Acura TL?
2009–2014 (4th gen). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Acura TL last?
A well-maintained TL from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the TL expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.4/5 and parts availability 4.6/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used TL?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, SH-AWD, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common TL problems?
TC shudder on older 5AT; AC compressor on high-mileage examples; Rear wheel bearings; SH-AWD rear-diff fluid
Is 150,000 miles too much for a TL?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile TL with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the TL's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Acura TL?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2009–2014 (4th gen) first, treat 2004–2008 (3rd gen with 3.2L) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
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