Acura TLX: best & worst years

No Acura TLX model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2015–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Acura TLX year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Recommended 8 A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.; A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall.; The True Touchpad infotainment interface is widely criticized as awkward to use, with some reports of screen glitches in hot weather. Full report ↗
2023 Recommended 8 On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.; A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.; A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall. Full report ↗
2022 Recommended 8 On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.; A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.; A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 7 On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.; A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.; A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 7 Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.; Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.; The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved. Full report ↗
2019 Recommended 7 Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.; Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.; The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved. Full report ↗
2018 Recommended 7 Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.; Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.; The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved. Full report ↗
2017 Recommended 7 The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.; Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.; Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 6 The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.; Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.; Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 6 The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.; Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.; Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system. Full report ↗

Acura TLX problems by year

2024 Acura TLX Recommended

Second-gen TLX is a sharp-handling, well-built luxury sedan with strong reliability and low repair costs; standard turbo-4 with an available 355-hp Type S. Note the divisive touchpad and segment recalls (brake-pedal pin, Type S fuel-injection stall).

  • A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.
  • A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall.
  • The True Touchpad infotainment interface is widely criticized as awkward to use, with some reports of screen glitches in hot weather.

2023 Acura TLX Recommended

Mature second-gen TLX with strong reliability, low ownership costs and engaging dynamics. Main gripes are the awkward touchpad and tight rear space; verify the brake-pedal-pin recall.

  • On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.
  • A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.
  • A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall.

2022 Acura TLX Recommended

Well-sorted second-gen TLX: reliable, comfortable and good value, with available SH-AWD and Type S power. Touchpad interface and rear-seat room are the notable compromises.

  • On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.
  • A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.
  • A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall.

2021 Acura TLX Caution

First year of the second generation; strong dynamics and reliability, but early-build caveats: a brake-pedal-pin recall, a Type S fuel-injection stall recall, and an open NHTSA probe into SH-AWD spline failure (loss of all-wheel drive) on 2021-2023 cars.

  • On SH-AWD cars (including Type S), a spline interface between the transmission and power take-off unit can fail, causing sudden loss of all-wheel drive without warning lights; the subject of an open NHTSA defect investigation covering 2021-2023.
  • A fuel-injection control software fault on Type S cars can cause the engine to stall or lose power; addressed by recall.
  • A brake-pedal pivot pin may not be properly secured, allowing the pedal to shift out of position; addressed by recall.

2020 Acura TLX Recommended

Refreshed first-gen TLX with improved transmission behavior, strong reliability and low running costs. Confirm completion of model-wide recalls for the low-pressure fuel pump (stalling) and a rod-bearing engine concern.

  • Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.
  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
  • The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved.

2019 Acura TLX Recommended

Reliable, comfortable luxury sedan with low repair costs. Subject to later recalls for the fuel pump (stalling) and a rod-bearing engine issue; verify the work was done.

  • Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.
  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
  • The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved.

2018 Acura TLX Recommended

Refreshed first-gen TLX, better-sorted than launch cars, with excellent reliability ratings and low repair costs. Subject to recalls for the fuel pump (stalling) and a rod-bearing engine issue.

  • Connecting-rod bearing wear can lead to engine noise and, in some cases, engine failure; subject to a manufacturer recall. Verify recall completion and listen for bearing knock.
  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving; subject to a manufacturer recall. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
  • The 9-speed automatic on V6 cars still shifts with some lag and hesitation after the refresh, though the dangerous early-build behavior was resolved.

2017 Acura TLX Recommended

Reliable, comfortable luxury sedan with low ownership costs. The 9-speed automatic (V6) still shifts with some hesitation, but the dangerous early-build neutral fault was addressed by recall.

  • The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.
  • Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.
  • Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system.

2016 Acura TLX Caution

Comfortable, reliable luxury sedan, but the 9-speed automatic on V6 cars is prone to harsh, hesitant shifting, with some engine and infotainment complaints. Verify transmission behavior and recall completion.

  • The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.
  • Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.
  • Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system.

2015 Acura TLX Caution

Launch-year TLX: well-equipped and reliable overall, but the V6 9-speed ZF automatic drew widespread complaints (harsh shifts, hesitation, failsafe neutral) and a recall. Inspect the transmission; four-cylinder cars are less affected.

  • The 9-speed ZF automatic on V6 trims is prone to harsh, hesitant and delayed shifts and, on early build cars, a control fault that can drop the transmission into a failsafe neutral; addressed by recall. Inspect shift quality and recall completion.
  • Engine complaints including intermittent stalling, rough idle and fluctuating RPM, most often reported on 2015 four-cylinder cars.
  • Infotainment and electrical glitches: freezing screens, Bluetooth dropouts and random system reboots on the dual-screen system.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Acura models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.