Acura TLX reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 892 complaints about the Acura TLX with NHTSA since 2012, most often about transmission and drivetrain and engine. Acura has filed 11 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 13 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Acura TLX? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the TLX a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2012 on.
- Owner complaints
- 892
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 11
- Filed by Acura
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Acura
- Safety recalls
- 13
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the TLX with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | Electrical system (75%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | Other or unspecified (36%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 25 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 70 | Transmission and drivetrain (39%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2020 | 63 | Engine (30%) | 5 | 3 |
| 2019 | 92 | Engine (34%) | 6 | 3 |
| 2018 | 96 | Engine (32%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2017 | 71 | Engine (34%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 | 111 | Engine (24%) | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 | 343 | Transmission and drivetrain (47%) | 6 | 10 |
| 2014 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 | Airbags (100%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single TLX model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Acura
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Acura filed with NHTSA for the TLX, in its own words. A warranty extension means Acura pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2025· Engine· model years 2016
Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year warranty extension period for each vehicle, and (2) eighteen (18) month period for 2016 model year…
- Warranty extensionJun 2022· Electrical system· model years 2015–2020
Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
Manufacturer reference Defect Code 6AX,: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Warranty extensionMar 2022· Fuel system· model years 2015–2020
Dealer message - Today, March 30, 2022, Acura is announcing a product update and warranty extension for certain 2015-2020 TLX vehicles to update the PGM-FI software that may affect the idle stop operation and starter under certain conditions.
- Warranty extensionMar 2022· Electrical system· model years 2015–2020
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Visibility· model years 2015
Dealer Message - On August 29, 2019, American Honda launched one revised, and one new Warranty Extension paint bulletin. Please review the following summary of requirements within these bulletins and share with the appropriate staff to ensure proper claim submission.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Visibility· model years 2015
To ensure your confidence in your vehicle, American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint in these areas to 8 years from the original date of purchase.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Body and structure· model years 2015
This warranty extension only applies to 2015 TLX vehicles painted B-588P Obsidian Blue Pearl or Fathom Blue Pearl.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Body and structure· model years 2015
Dealer Message - Today, August 29, 2019, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2015 TLX vehicles with Obsidian Blue Pearl paint to address client concerns with peeling paint around the rear glass.
- Warranty extensionMay 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2017
Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front passenger?s airbag inflators have failed internally.
- Warranty extensionOct 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2016
American Honda is extending the warranty on the 9-speed transmission warmers to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited mileage. This warranty covers vehicles where the engine coolant and ATF mix because of an internal leak in the 9-speed transmission warmer.
- Warranty extensionSep 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015–2016
Dealer message - Today, September 22, 2017, Acura is announcing four product updates and two warranty extensions on certain model year 2015-16 TLX and 2016 MDX vehicles to address vehicles with a possible leaking transmission warmer.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every TLX model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain264 (30%)
- Engine218 (24%)
- Electrical system158 (18%)
- Other or unspecified118 (13%)
- Fuel and propulsion78 (9%)
- Brakes61 (7%)
- Engine and cooling57 (6%)
- Cruise control and speed control38 (4%)
Safety recalls
13 recalls cover at least one TLX model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
The tires may have sustained cuts and tears during the sorting process, which can result in tire damage.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This may prevent the transmission from shifting into the Park position.
The affected vehicles may have incorrect values for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear printed on the safety certification label.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP26001Defect petition· opened Mar 2026, closed Aug 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2021–2023
All wheel drive allegation
- PE25008Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2025, still open· Engine· model years 2018–2020
Engine failure
- EA25004Engineering analysis· opened Mar 2025, still open· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2025
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
- RQ24013Recall query· opened Nov 2024, closed Aug 2025· Engine· model years 2018–2020
Engine failure
- EA19001Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024· Airbags· model years 2015–2017
Electrical overstress
Led to recall 20V024.
NHTSA's own page for the 2025 Acura TLX has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Acura TLX reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2012 on: 892 owner complaints, 11 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Acura filed, and 13 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2015 (343), 2016 (111), 2018 (96). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Acura TLX?
Across every model year since 2012, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (30%), engine (24%), electrical system (18%). Acura has filed 11 warranty extensions covering the TLX, listed on this page.
Which TLX model years have the most complaints?
2015 (343), 2016 (111), 2018 (96). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the TLX with each other rather than with other models.
Has Acura extended the warranty on the TLX?
Yes: engine (model years 2016); electrical system (model years 2015–2020); fuel system (model years 2015–2020), and 8 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a TLX?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 13 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.