Acura TLX years to avoid (and the best years)
873 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recalls across 9 model years, 2015 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 873complaints
- 13recalls
- 36reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 25reported injuries
Which Acura TLX years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Acura TLX year to avoid is 2015. The typical Acura TLX year has 71 complaints on file.
- 2015: 341 complaints, 4.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (47% of complaints) and the engine (28% of complaints).
What are the best Acura TLX years?
The Acura TLX years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (10), 2022 (26) and 2020 (62). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 0.1× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 26 | 0.4× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 68 | 1.0× | 4 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 62 | 0.9× | 5 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 92 | 1.3× | 6 | 7 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 93 | 1.3× | 4 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 71 | 1.0× | 3 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 110 | 1.5× | 3 | 5 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 341 | 4.8× | 6 | 12 | 9 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 169 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain85 (50%)
- Brakes24 (14%)
- Steering, suspension & tires21 (12%)
- Electrical & infotainment18 (11%)
- Other systems10 (6%)
Recalls (13)
Airbags · 26V332000 · May 2026 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Brakes · 25V391000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fuel system · 24V950000 · Dec 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 24V064000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2020, 2021
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 23V858000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 23V751000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Tires · 22V950000 · Dec 2022 · model year 2022
Damaged tires can lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V215000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V298000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2019
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Fuel system · 19V060000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Transmission · 16V640000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2015
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Transmission · 14V779000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V613000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2015
If the vehicle is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.