My GarageIs the Acura TL a good used car?
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.
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.
Overall
★★★★★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
★★★★★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
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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
How many miles will a TL last?
Comfortable, quick, and premium-feeling for the money.
Is the TL expensive to maintain?
Comparable to Honda for cost; parts are cheap.
Which TL year should I buy?
2009–2014 (4th gen) is the range we'd shop first. J35/J37 V6; refined chassis.
What are the most common Acura TL problems?
The issues that come up most often are TC shudder on older 5AT, AC compressor on high-mileage examples and rear wheel bearings. Each one is checkable during a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Acura TL?
Our scoring puts the Acura TL at 4.6/5 for reliability. 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.
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) are the strongest years to target — J35/J37 V6; refined chassis.
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?
Comparable to Honda for cost; parts are cheap.
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. One of the best used luxury sedan values on the market.
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