AI Damage2020 Acura TLX: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Acura TLX filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel system. The maker issued 48 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 63
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 48
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 30% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 19 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Fuel system: 12 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 63 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 | 19 | 1 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 12 | 0 | 21 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 16 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 18 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The seat belt pre-tensioner was activated on the driver's side seat belt. The contact stated that his daughter was not aware of any warning lights. The contact stated that his daughter was unhurt, the other vehicle drove away with no damage. The police were not at the scene.
The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact was unaware if the air bag warning light was illuminated after the accident. The contact sustained injuries to their arm and back that required medical attention from the ER. The contact stated that a police report was filed.
- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up.
The cars Emission Systems and Parking Brake lights come on, and the dealer can not diagnose this issue properly. I have taken it in 4 times, and it continues to happen. I fear the parking brake coming on while driving.
Transmission harsh and delayed gear engagement, sometimes it won’t shift unless it’s done manually, few times it didn’t shift even though I shifted manually, I had to increase engine speed to about 5000 RPM so it shifts, transmission goes into neutral when trying to to accelerate while it’s in drive and intermittent…
PE 25008 The engine knock started on 12/22/25. Motorcars Acura recommended get a case number & have the 2020 TLX towed in for a diagnostic. Online case # XXX Towed to Motorcars on 12/23/25. Talked to Michelle with customer relations & she was going to call Motorcars for info.
The front camera that operates the cruise control, lane assist, automatic braking, automatic high beam has stopped working. After further research it seems to be a popular problem with this car in a short amount of time. This car is a 2020 with 61,000 miles.
Shortly afterward, the car began to lag and hesitate while accelerating. On November 3, 2025, while driving to a doctor’s appointment on the Bypass Bridge in morning traffic, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost power completely. This created a dangerous situation in active traffic.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 773 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 37% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TLX has 55 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 63, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - The factory fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing properly. This may result in a fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause…
- Dealer Message - The fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing, resulting in fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause DTC P0455 or P0456…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle…
Service Bulletin - 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. Typically, the…
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
- Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American…
Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in…
- Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control…
Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441…
- Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly…
Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow…
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with new PGM-FI software…
- Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been…
Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2021 RDXs & TLX L4s with a client complaint of an oil leak or a dealer technician noticing an oil leak from the head cover gasket during a routine maintenance. To fully understand…
- Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure Revision) Due to swelling of the fuel pump motor impeller, the fuel…
Service Bulletin - (Repair Procedure Revision) Due to swelling of the fuel pump motor impeller, the fuel pump may seize and stop working. If this occurs, the check engine light may be displayed with DTC P0087 (Fuel…
NHTSA lists 48 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura TLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 63. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), stalls while driving (14%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Acura TLX?
NHTSA lists 48 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Acura TLX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
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.