Acura

TLX (UB1)

2015-2020 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine Recommended (5.0)
738 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
33 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

R20A5

2.0L 4-cyl / 150 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

ACURA TLX (2015-2020)ACURA ILX (2013-2022)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)

D17A2

1.7L 4-cyl / 127 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

interior
1
wheels tires
1

Known Issues

Interior Issues (1 complaints)
Wheels/Tires Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

HONDA CR-V (2002-2006)FORD Escape (2001-2007)ACURA TLX (2015-2020)HONDA Civic (2006-2011)HONDA S2000 (2000-2009)HONDA Civic (2000-2000)HONDA Civic (2001-2005)HONDA Civic (2012-2015) +7 more

K24W7

2.4L 4-cyl / 206 hp
⚠️ Caution (3.0)
174 complaints 29.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
38
transmission
36
fuel system
33
engine
30
brakes
22

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (38 complaints)
Transmission Issues (36 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (33 complaints)

Also found in

ACURA TLX (2015-2020)ACURA TSX (2009-2014)

J35Y6

3.5L 6-cyl / 290 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.4)
528 complaints 88.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
230
transmission
168
electrical
98
cooling
66
fuel system
64

Known Issues

Engine Issues (230 complaints)
Transmission Issues (168 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (98 complaints)

Also found in

HONDA Pilot (2016-2022)VOLKSWAGEN Passat (2012-2022)ACURA TLX (2015-2020)HONDA Passport (2019-2025)SUBARU Crosstrek (2018-2023)HONDA Ridgeline (2026-2026)VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan (2018-2025)HONDA Ridgeline (2017-2025)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Acura TLX regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (260 complaints)
engine critical
Transmission Issues (204 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (136 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (97 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Cooling System Issues (66 complaints)
cooling serious

Recalls (9)

24V064000Jan 1, 2024serious
Air Bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

23V858000Dec 17, 2023serious
Fuel System

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

23V751000Nov 12, 2023serious
Engine & Cooling

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

21V215000Mar 24, 2021serious
Fuel System

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

19V060000Jan 28, 2019serious
Fuel System, Other

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

19V298000Dec 3, 2019serious
Engine & Cooling

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

16V640000Jun 8, 2016serious
Powertrain

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX 2WD and 4WD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.

14V779000Aug 11, 2014serious
Powertrain

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX V6 2WD vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to November 12, 2014, and certain 2015 TLX V6 SH-AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to November 10, 2014. 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.

14V613000Jan 9, 2014serious
Equipment

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to September 20, 2014. 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. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2020 Acura TLX problems?

The 2015-2020 Acura TLX has accumulated 738 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Acura TLX engine is most reliable?

The 2015-2020 Acura TLX was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.474057568L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2015-2020 Acura TLX a good used car?

The 2015-2020 Acura TLX can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 738 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2020 Acura TLX have?

The 2015-2020 Acura TLX has 738 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2015-2020 Acura TLX?

There are 9 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2020 Acura TLX vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Acura TLX?

Before buying a used Acura TLX, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 738 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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