2021 Acura TLX: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker TLX years.
102 owner complaints, most about power train. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 TLX?The 2021 Acura TLX has 102 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag brake rotor warping and juddering, especially on 2021+ models.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Acura TLX vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other TLX years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the TLX?
Across the 11 TLX model years we track, complaint volume runs from 19 (2023) to 343 (2015). With 102 complaints, the 2021 TLX sits above the model's median of 71.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 TLX
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 24V064000Honda (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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 24V950000Acura (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.
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 25V391000Honda (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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 26V332000Honda (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 Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Show 1 more recall
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 25V031000Honda (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.
What owners say across generations
Owners generally regard the TLX as a reliable, comfortable, and well-rounded car, with the 2.4L four-cylinder earning especially strong praise as "bulletproof" and capable of very high mileage with basic maintenance.
- Very frequentBrake rotor warping and juddering, especially on 2021+ models
- RecurrentInfotainment and tech glitches (Apple CarPlay
Touchpad, wireless charging, backup camera) on 2021+ models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the TLX. See the full TLX owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used TLX listings typically run $17,451–$31,661 across 2015 to 2025 model years.
Other TLX model years
Compare every TLX year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the TLX against its rivals
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