2021 Acura TLX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other TLX years
- About as many complaints as other years 6th of 12 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura TLX. That ranks 6th out of 12 TLX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (27 complaints, 39%), typically at around 93,039 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 70owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Acura TLX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 27 | 39% | 93,039 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 10 | 14% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 9 | 13% | 270 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 13% | 141 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 10% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 7 | 10% | 11 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 9% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 7% | 93,039 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 32,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Acura TLX recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Problem: 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. 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."
Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
Problem: 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 vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages (EA25004) — opened Mar 26, 2025, still open.
- All wheel drive allegation (DP26001) — opened Mar 6, 2026, closed Aug 4, 2026.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a major drivetrain failure in my 2021 Acura TLX Type S SH-AWD with approximately 86,643 miles. My vehicle experienced a complete loss of AWD. The front two wheels are receiving power, but the rear wheels are no longer receiving power. An independent mechanic…
My 2021 Acura TLX has a fuel leak. This is a known issue and manufacture design flaw. The Acura dealership has quoted my $4200 - $4500 to replace the fuel tank. I've contacted Honda and they've only offer $300 "goodwill" credit towards the repair. This is a know issue, a fire hazard, and other 2021…
I drive a 2021 Acura TLX TYPE S around 85K miles. I heard a loud clank when I was driving one day, and I loss traction. When I was accelerating I was losing traction and it seem like I lost power while I was moving as well. It seems like I'm driving front wheel drive. I let me foot of the gas and…
The transfer case and transmission splines have been stripped causing the car to be FWD only. The issue was confirmed by the dealer, and both the transfer case and transmission were replaced under warranty. The car shuddered, followed by a drivetrain noise for a few seconds. No warning lights or…
transfer case leaking fluids at 73,000 miles
Other Acura TLX years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 TLX | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 TLX | 5 | 1 |
| 2023 TLX | 11 | 3 |
| 2022 TLX | 25 | 3 |
| 2021 | 70 | 4 |
| 2020 TLX | 63 | 5 |
| 2019 TLX | 93 | 6 |
| 2018 TLX | 96 | 4 |
| 2017 TLX | 71 | 3 |
| 2016 TLX | 111 | 3 |
| 2015 TLX | 344 | 6 |
| 2012 TLX | 1 | 0 |
See all Acura TLX problems by year, every Acura model, or the Acura VIN decoder.
Similar Acura models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura TLX?
Owners most often report power train, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 27 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Acura TLX?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Acura TLX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other TLX model years, the 2021 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.