AI DamageAcura TLX: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Acura TLX across 10 model years: 551 owner complaints and 299 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 26% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 141 complaints (26% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 57.
- Powertrain: 104 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Electrical system: 95 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 154.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 61 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Engine and cooling: 57 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 114.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2025named in 1 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2015–2020named in 1 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2021–2025
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2015–2020named in 3 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed 2015–2020
- automatic, 10-speed 2021–2025
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2015–2020
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 551 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 141 | 6 | 57 |
| Powertrain | 104 | 2 | 69 |
| Electrical system | 95 | 1 | 154 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 61 | 1 | 12 |
| Engine and cooling | 57 | 1 | 114 |
| Service brakes | 48 | 8 | 46 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 29 | 1 | 127 |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 6 | 3 |
| Steering | 23 | 1 | 7 |
| Suspension | 21 | 1 | 62 |
| Lane departure | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Air bags | 14 | 5 | 3 |
| Structure | 10 | 1 | 44 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Without warning, the vehicle's dashboard suddenly illuminated with a cascade of severe system malfunctions, beginning with a critical "Brake System Problem" warning, immediately followed by a "Power Steering System Problem," which caused the steering wheel to become dangerously heavy and difficult to maneuver.
There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The building inspector and fire department were on the scene. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
This vehicle had open safety recalls (including the fuel pump/rod bearing issues) that remained unrepaired for over 1.5 years. Despite multiple inquiries, the manufacturer failed to provide a repair timeline or remedy.
The contact was not aware of any warning lights. The contact was unable to counter turn and the vehicle crashed into the guard rail on the right front bumper. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot his vehicle to the left, crossed two lanes of traffic and crashed into the guard rail on the left side of…
Due to the deployment of the airbags, I sustained fractured sternum, right foot and left hand. Had surgery on left hand to repair fractured fingers. Laceration on right leg.
The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, she was struck by another vehicle driving at 55 MPH on the front passenger side.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - The factory fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
- Service Bulletin - The factory fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
- Dealer Message - The fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
- Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant…
- Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.