Most common 2021 Acura TLX problems
Share of the 72 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura TLX complaints by model year
Best TLX years: 2017, 2024, 2016. Years to avoid: 2015. Compare all years →
2021 Acura TLX recalls (4)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2021 Acura TLX:
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
On June 3, 2022, the O ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a tra c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged.
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 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 28 →
I drive a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0 L turbo 4 cylinder. I was driving to work on [redacted] on a busy street in Boyle Heights, Ca. When all of sudden I get a warning indicator "engine temp is high do not drive". Pulled over immediately. Good thing I was in the far right lane and was able to pull over and not stall or get rear ended by another vehicle behind me. There were no warning, symptoms and indicators of the engine's overheating. My vehicle has been in great condition prior with no major or minor issues with my vehicle. We took it to two dealerships for diagnostics. The head gasket blown, empty coolant reservoir, cracked engine block, and other parts of the engine were affected. What if I was on a highway and the car stalled. I could've been seriously injured or seriously injured someone else on the road. …
I am submitting this complaint in reference to NHTSA Defect Petition DP26001, opened March 6, 2026, investigating loss of all-wheel drive capability in 2021-2023 Acura TLX vehicles due to interfacing spline failure between the transmission and the power takeoff unit (transfer case). I am the owner of a 2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD with 55,300 miles. I purchased this vehicle on June 2nd, 2026. I have not yet experienced a failure, but I am registering as an affected vehicle owner given the known defect pattern documented in DP26001 and consistent with the 137,329-vehicle population identified in the NHTSA investigation. The failure mode as described in DP26001 involves stripping of splines at the transmission-to-PTU junction, resulting in sudden and complete loss of rear-wheel drive without warning lights or dashboard indication. …
Brakes
The contact leased a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, a loud abnormal, squealing noise would emit from the brake pedal upon depression without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where they acknowledged the failure but stated that the parts for the repair were not yet available. The contact was given a loaner vehicle of the same model; however, the same failure occurred with the loaner vehicle. The contact returned to the dealer for the third time and was given a loaner vehicle of a different model. Upon return of the original vehicle, the brake noise had stopped; however, the forward collision avoidance brake warning light would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel without incident. …
On October 4, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, the 2021 Acura TLX suffered a catastrophic and sequential collapse of its primary safety and electronic control systems while in motion. 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. Simultaneously, a string of secondary critical alerts flashed across the information display, including a "Lane Assist System Problem," effectively disabling the vehicle's automated driver-assist, traction, and stability networks. This total electronic network blackout culminated moments later in a severe collision that caused significant structural damage, including a snapped front axle. …
Electrical system
On October 4, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, the 2021 Acura TLX suffered a catastrophic and sequential collapse of its primary safety and electronic control systems while in motion. 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. Simultaneously, a string of secondary critical alerts flashed across the information display, including a "Lane Assist System Problem," effectively disabling the vehicle's automated driver-assist, traction, and stability networks. This total electronic network blackout culminated moments later in a severe collision that caused significant structural damage, including a snapped front axle. …
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle on one occasion, the vehicle would not start-up. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be inspected. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was started and driven back to the residence. A few days after taking the vehicle to the dealer, the contact noticed that while driving at undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and there was a loud cranking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer to perform a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270.
2021 Acura TLX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 10-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 10-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 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 a good car?
Based on 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 TLX rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the TLX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Acura TLX?
The transmission & drivetrain — 28 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (11) and electrical system (10).
How many recalls does the 2021 Acura TLX have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2021 Acura TLX, the most recent from May 21, 2026 (front passenger). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura TLX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2024 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015. See the full Acura TLX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Acura TLX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 71% 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.