Most common 2021 Acura TLX Type S problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura TLX Type S complaints by model year
2021 Acura TLX Type S recalls (1)
Electrical system › Software
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Acura TLX Type S:
All wheel drive allegation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit.
What 2021 Acura TLX Type S owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 29 →
transfer case and drivetrain failure from spline stripping. No hard driving performed yet parts still failed. Car went from AWD to FWD without codes. Car failed to gain traction when going up hill and nearly rolled back into another car.
-Transmission and transfer case failed, specifically the splines on the input shaft connecting the two, rendering the vehicle FWD instead of AWD. Parts are not available to inspect as they were returned to dealer. -While the vehicle could still function in front wheel drive, the lack of AWD could be a safety risk in poor weather or road conditions, especially given that the vehicle does not send an error code for this issue. -Problem was reproduced by the dealer, who replaced both parts after a 2-month wait for parts. -There is zero indication that these components failed, no error codes or anything. The car also displays how much power is going to each wheel on the gauge cluster, and displays just as it did when everything worked. The problem can only be noticed when using AWD, so many drivers may not know they have this issue. …
Engine & cooling
I am reporting a critical safety issue with my 2021 Acura TLX (VIN: [redacted] ), specifically related to the transmission and transfer case. The problem is centered around the transmission's spline splitting into the transfer case, which causes severe jerking while driving. The car moves forward erratically, jumping up and down, and on multiple occasions, the vehicle has shut off while driving at highway speeds. This is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to my life and others on the road. This issue is widely reported by other Acura owners online, and it appears to be a common defect with the transmission, specifically the remanufactured transmission part number 06200-6T2-A02RM. …
I would like to report a serious safety issue with the 2021 Acura TLX Type s. Recently in April 2024, while driving, I heard a loud pop from the vehicle, and it turned out that the transfer case had burst into the transmission. This failure has rendered the rear-wheel drive non-functional, resulting in severe oversteer. This oversteer is especially dangerous because the vehicle is now operating as front-wheel drive, which creates an unpredictable and hazardous driving experience. This issue could lead to a catastrophic transmission failure, particularly at highway speeds, posing a severe safety risk to me and other drivers. I have contacted the dealer about the problem, but they have refused to take any corrective action. …
2021 Acura TLX Type S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 10-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Acura TLX Type S a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the TLX Type S to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Acura TLX Type S?
The transmission & drivetrain — 29 complaints, 91% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › internal › shaft › output. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 Acura TLX Type S have?
There is 1 recall for the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, the most recent from January 23, 2025 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2021 Acura TLX Type S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.