Acura TLX Complaints (2021)

67 consumer complaints on file.

#11725554March 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The all wheel drive failed do to transfer case splines being sheered off between the transmission and transfer case. No warning lights are on to warn of the rear wheel tires not receiving power to them. I was not aware of this problem and this could have contributed to and accident, as I though the AWD was working, but it wasn't.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725109March 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transfer case needs replacing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724400March 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle was performing as expected, but there was a smell of burning oil or rubber. When I took the car into the dealership the found that the transmission was slipping and the transfer box was failing. In the video they sent of the initial inspection there is obvious brown sludge leaking from the transmission. I was told that a complete transmission and transfer case was required.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723440March 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving towards the gas station, still at lows speeds while I was in the neighborhood so speed limit was 15mph. I can hear and feel the car struggle to move forward, about 2 minutes into the drive a hear a big TOON and check engine light is on for about a minute before going away. I filled gas and headed back home and I heard a larger TOON but this time all the warning light came up. These are all errors reported by the car at the same time - Vehicle Stability System - Hill Start Assist Problem - Addictive Cruise Control System Problem - Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem - Road Departure Mitigation System Problem - Emission System Problem - All Wheel Drive System Problem - Brake System Problem These are all errors that appeared on the Acura app - Emission System Problem - Vehicle Stability System - Electric Parking Brake Problem - Electric Power Steering Problem - Adaptive Cruise Control Problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721123February 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I am submitting this complaint regarding a sudden and premature transfer case failure on my 2021 Acura TLX Type S equipped with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The failure occurred during normal driving conditions and without prior warning indicators. Based on my experience and numerous similar reports from other owners of this vehicle, this appears to be an ongoing and systemic issue that warrants formal investigation and recall consideration. While accelerating under normal road conditions, I heard a loud and distinct “pop” noise from underneath the vehicle. The sound was abrupt and mechanical in nature, as if an internal drivetrain component had failed. Immediately following the noise, the vehicle’s driving characteristics changed noticeably. Although the car continued to move forward and there were no immediate warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, the drivetrain behavior was clearly altered. After the incident, the vehicle began operating as though the majority of drivetrain load was being directed to the front wheels. The vehicle now feels significantly front-heavy during acceleration and general driving. There is a distinct change in weight transfer and torque delivery that was not present prior to the failure. The balance that is characteristic of a rear-biased SH-AWD performance system is no longer present. There were no grinding sounds, fluid leaks, or vibration at the time of failure. There were also no warning messages, check engine lights, AWD system warnings, or drivetrain alerts displayed to notify me of any malfunction. The failure occurred suddenly and without notice.I respectfully request that NHTSA open a formal investigation into premature transfer case failures on 2021–2023 Acura TLX Type S vehicles equipped with SH-AWD. This issue should be evaluated for recall eligibility or mandated corrective action to ensure driver safety. Thank you for reviewing this complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718081February 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My car has suffered a well known issue in the 21-25 Acura TLX community. At 71,000 miles my transfer case splines stripped also with the transmission splines. Resulting in me having to pay out of pocket to replace both the transmission and transfer case. I’m really hoping Acura does a recall for this issue. I really like this car and don’t want to have to replace them again. Like I mentioned before. I’m in a Facebook tlx group and people are constantly posting about theirs blowing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717853February 13, 2026
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES
Adaptive Damper System error on dashboard. Took the car to the dealer and they confirmed two issues. Codes C1646-14 and C1647-14 indicating the stroke sensor has lower limit abnormality. Dealer recommended replacing both rear shocks due to over extension. Once shocks were replaced, codes returned. During further investigation, corrosion was found in the stroke sensor wiring harness. Harness is the root cause of the issue. Car is available at the dealer for inspection if necessary. From a safety perspective, if I continued to drive the car I could have experienced a malfunction in the braking system which could have led to brake failure, failure of safety features, or a car stall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716343February 6, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My gas tank is failing from the fuel seal, my safety is in danger since it throws a lot of gasoline, take the car to the dealer but they say it's not a factory problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710022January 9, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS
To Whom It May Concern: The purpose of my complaint is to bring to your attention reprehensible policies and misconduct displayed by the automaker, Acura, the premium subsidiary brand of the American Honda Motor Company. On 11/18/2025, I brought in my 2021 Acura TLX Tech w/SH-AWD in for a problem related to the brakes. The front brakes were and continue to make a jarring, very loud, high-pitched squeaking noise at low speeds. After 4 hours at Radley Acura of Falls Church, VA, the technician stated "could not duplicate" the concern. The problem persisted and I again returned on 12/18/2025 for the same issue. My vehicle has been at the dealership awaiting a response from Acura Client Relations on a claim that I submitted on 12/19/2025. Radley Acura diagnosed the issue as a well-known defect of 2021 TLX models, as evidenced by Acura's own service bulletin describing the very issue I continue to experience (and yet were unable to diagnose on 11/18). Radley Acura is stating that although my vehicle is 28,000+ miles UNDER the manufacturer's warranty, that by time, since purchase, it is outside the manufacturer's warranty by approximately 6 months. However, on 1/27/2025 (when my car was within manufacturer warranty and only had 17,215 miles on the odometer), I completed a lease buyout of my car. In addition, I paid to have it Acura Precision Certified. As part of this paid certification, Radley had my car for over a day to allegedly perform a 182-point inspection, and address a recall open for over a year (with a remedy from Acura - but allegedly no available repair parts to fix my car, until I requested to CPO my at the time of lease buyout). During their CPO inspection, the dealership failed to address the open service bulletin on the front brakes--a documented issue Acura has been aware of since before 2/15/2022, as established by their service bulletin. Now the dealership is stating the manufacturer's defect that they failed to address is $500 out of pocket expense.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707420December 28, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Problem with all safety feature sensors like Adas, lane assistance. Small car icon which always green turned orange, and none of those features working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688974September 22, 2025
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While using the Air Conditioner in Comfort Mode Suspension settings on my Advanced SHAWD model, the front suspension intermittently squeaks and creaks. It is very audible in the colder months or after it rains.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679424August 8, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The wipers come on by themselves and do not turn off. The engine may or may not start with the key fob nearby. All the dash warning lights come on with warnings about the brake system, the transmission, the steering, the adaptive cruise control all reporting a problem. The vehicle goes to limp mode and throttle response is severely reduced. There is some sort of water leak which is shorting out or causing the BCM or body control module to act erratically due to water from rain getting into the area because of improper weather sealant placed during manufacturing. There is a service bulletin that was put out in roughly April of 2024 that describes this issue affecting the 2021 TLX models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665968June 10, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, she was struck by another vehicle driving at 55 MPH on the front passenger side. The vehicle spun around due to the impact and came to a stop facing oncoming traffic. The contact lost consciousness. No air bags were deployed. The contact sought medical care for a brain trauma, whiplash, loss of hearing in the left ear, headaches, blurry vision, loss of hand motor skills in her left arm, and injuries to their neck and spine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot for further investigation. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11659887May 9, 2025
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving over a bump in the roadway, there was a squeaky metallic sound coming from the front passenger’s side suspension. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654456April 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transfer case broken; no longer sending power to the rear wheels. Car loses traction when accelerating from a stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648315March 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel started to shake, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted, and the contact was able to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front brake rotors were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647306March 10, 2025
STEERING
When Driving my vehicle I abruptly lost power steering on the freeway. I received an error on the screen " Electric Power Steering Problem, assisted steering reduced". I was able to safely drive my car off the freeway. However, I feel like this problem can cause someone else with not enough strength such as an elderly person to loose control of the vehicle if they encounter the same issue. I took my car to the Acura Dealer, and they advised they needed to replace the Rack and Pinon due to a " Steering Position Sensor" Issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640171February 2, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On a slightly snowing evening driving on the highway, a warning was displayed indicating "Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot Operate, Radar Obstructed" and the green icon turned orange. Traveling about 45 mph, I slowed down to get over and the car drastically slowed down without me pressing the brake. After about 10 more minutes of driving the icon turned green again. This has happened on more than one occasion creating a serious safety risk, typically during inclement weather.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635015January 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Hotspot on rotors.Brake pads are good. There has been a recall on this year,but not this model..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633510January 1, 2025
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The transfer case blows up and which causes the all-wheel-drive system of the car to go away and the car becomes from wheel drive which changes the way the car drives and makes it very dangerous. The car has a lot of oversteer and this is very dangerous to highway roads.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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