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The touring luxury executive car, Acura TLX, has been around since late 2014 when the original 2015 model was launched. Even though it has only had 4 recalls in 7 years, it’s accumulated a hefty 250 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consumer complaints during this time.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2020
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Acura TLX
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Electrical System | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Power Train | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Tires | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Steering | |
| Lane Departure: Warning |
Year by year, the NHTSA complaints have reduced, from 58 for the 2016 model to only 7 each for the 2020 and 2021 models. But, of course, complaints don’t stop in the year the cars are manufactured. For example, there were only 11 complaints about the 2016 model lodged in 2016.
Lemberg Law has published articles about the problems and top complaints about both the 2019 and 2020 Acura TLX models. Both highlight electrical system glitches. Electrical system problems are also top of the list for the original 2015 model, with 48 complaints. So, too, are the manufacturer communications about the electrical system. Out of a total of 397 documents sent to dealers alerting them about faults and malfunctions, 108 are electrical.
There have already been 50 manufacturer communications (or technical reports) for the 2021 Acura TLX, and 16 relate to the electrical system.
Additionally, the 2021 model has a reduced 4 out of 5 safety rating for the front passenger side in the NHTSA frontal crash test. This test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles traveling at 35 mph.
Most Common Problems with the 2021 Acura TLX
The 7 complaints about the 2021 model on record with NHTSA cover a total of 12 problems. Of these, 3 are electrical, while another 3 relate to the brakes of the car. There are 2 problems that involve the fuel/propulsion system, and 1 each for the engine, forward-collision avoidance, the powertrain, and an unknown factor.
We are going to look more closely at the top 3 problem categories, electrical, brakes, and the fuel/propulsion system.
2021 Acura TLX Electrical Problems
Electrical problems reported are varied. One highlights a fault that results in the car “thinking” the door isn’t properly closed.
“If the car thinks the door is not fully closed, it will not allow the car to go into drive. My husband put the car into reverse and backed out onto a busy highway. He tried to put the car into drive and it would not go because the car’s electrical system thought the door was not fully shut (it was). He had to shut the car off completely and open/close the door again. This put him in a very dangerous situation and he could have been killed by oncoming traffic.”
Another states that the car wouldn’t start. The owner had it towed to the local dealer who couldn’t replicate the problem, so no repairs were carried out.
The third describes how the owner was forced to call for roadside assistance three times. On one occasion, the car wouldn’t unlock, even with the key.
The same complaint states that the warning light, Auto Idle Stop, comes on while driving and is a recurring problem. The dealer is “unable to find a reason for (the) warning lights.”
2021 Acura TLX Brake Problems
Noise is the main issue with the car’s brakes.
One complaint states, “Whenever I press the brake pedal at low speeds (1-3 mph), I hear a loud spring/clicking sound. This is happening to multiple Acura TLX owners I know.”
Another describes a “loud cranking noise” coming from the front of the vehicle when the driver pushes down on the brake pedal. This first happened when the car had only 270 miles on the clock. The owner has taken the car back to the dealer at least twice, but at the time of the complaint, they hadn’t diagnosed or repaired the fault.
The third, most recent complaint describes “a loud abnormal, squealing noise” when the brake pedal is depressed. The dealer acknowledged the failure but didn’t have parts to repair it immediately. The owner was lent a 2021 Acura TLX. But the same thing happened with the loaner vehicle . He got a second loaner car.
The complaint tells how, after repair, the brake noise in his car stopped. But then the forward-collision avoidance brake light came on intermittently. This time, the dealer reset the electrical system. “However, once the system was reset, the original brake noise failure returned.”
This Acura TLX had only 11 miles on the clock. At the time of the complaint, it was still with the dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure.
One of the 2 fuel/propulsion system complaints also mentions the brakes emitting an “extremely loud, high pitch squeal.” The complaint, made in January 2022, states that American Honda Motor Company (AHM) is aware of the problem (see below).
Manufacturer Communications about Brakes
There are 9 technical reports from the manufacturer, AHM, about Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Most deal with complaints about “a vibration/judder in the front brakes when applying the brakes.” They advise dealers to “collect specific parts from the vehicle” before attempting any repairs.
The most recent communication, dated 17 February 2022, warns that “the front brakes make a high-pitched squeal when lightly applied at 15 mph or less.”
2021 Acura TLX Fuel System Problems
The first of the 2 fuel-related complaints reports multiple issues:
- The fuel capless unit was adjusted once and replaced 3 times
- The steering column drips grease from the steering shaft bolts “due to extreme heat”
- Brakes squealing (as above)
- Rotor rubs against other parts
According to the complaint, AHM is aware of these problems but doesn’t have a fix. “They will not label them as recalls because they do not put Acura owners at risk, according to them. But, they send service bulletins to the dealerships advising all Acura service departments that they know about these problems. The steps to fix the issue may or may not work per dealers.”
The second complaint may well put Acura owners at risk!
The complainant describes an incident in the rain. “I went to switch lanes and floor it to pass another car.” The check engine light came on, the power died, and the speed slowed dramatically. The driver wasn’t able to accelerate. The check engine light continued to flash. He was on the freeway but couldn’t reach a speed of 40 mph.
“This was a very dangerous situation. There were no warnings leading up to this catastrophic fuel/engine issue.” If he had been passing a car on a 2-lane road into oncoming traffic, the result may “have been deadly,” he said.
The dealer was aware of the issue and installed an update. The complainant was due to pick up the car that same day, “hoping the issue is resolved.”
What to do if your 2021 Acura TLX is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
If your Acura TLX has any recurring problems, you may have a lemon on your hands.
Lemberg Law specializes in lemon law cases and we have helped many clients reach settlement agreements with manufacturers.
Call our Helpline and we’ll evaluate your case. The law makes Honda pay the legal fees in lemon law cases, so you won’t have to pay.
Complaint Data
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Mar 14, 2023 |
| State | MD |
| Description | I currently have kumho ecsta ps91 tires on my 2021 acura tlx that was purchased brand new and 3 out of 4 tires have cracks/splits all the way around the inside and outside sidewall. My vehicle currently has 30k miles and still has plenty of tread left on them as they are rated for 45k miles. Car has always had its routine maintenance done at acura and tires are always checked and rotation is done also. Please look into this immediately 🙠I was traveling on an interstate at 70 mph and this could have been a tragedy for myself and others traveling. Also have pictures to show if needed |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Feb 16, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | On two occasions the collision mitigation braking system (cmbs) has improperly activated with hard braking leaving me fighting for control. On one occasion, I was driving at 35 mph on a divided boulevard in my home subdivision with no vehicles in sight. The second occasion occurred on the florida turnpike at 75 mph while in the outside lane. There was no vehicle in front of me or to the side at that time. That was a scary moment. I want to emphasize that the cmbs employed hard braking along with the flashing dash warning. After each instance I took the vehicle to an acura dealer. First to fountain acura in orlando who could find no dtc codes and blew me off by telling me it was my e-pass transponder and window tint that caused the problem. That was utter nonsense. The second time I took the vehicle to autonation acura north orlando where I had purchased the vehicle as certified pre-owned (cpo) in april of 2022. They took my concern seriously, provided a loaner and kept the vehicle for four days. They also were unable to duplicate the issue and could find no dtc codes. They called honda's “tech line†and told me that same nonsense about tint and transponders. This “washing of hands†rather than taking ownership of this life-threatening problem made me start looking for others with the same issue. No surprise, I found 103 other acura 2021 tlxs as well as rdxs and honda models with nhtsa complaints for the same exact experience I had. Is ahm's “tech line†telling all owners it is their fault for the improper activation of the cmbs? It seems to me that a change in the cmbs triggering algorithm needs to be made otherwise the more vehicles with the defective algorithm the more crashes will occur. This improper activation seems unique to 2021 vehicles. Nhtsa records currently show no similar complaints for 2020, 2022, or 2023 model year vehicles. |
| Category | Electrical System, Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| State | SC |
| Description | The infotainment system glitches or goes static after a bump of any sort. Sometimes it would restart entirely. Or just not work until I stop and restart the car. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Jan 07, 2023 |
| State | VA |
| Description | My wife and I were on the first day of vacation, driving from virginia to fl by way of sc. Around 1pm I was driving the car on interstate 20 west in south carolina near bishopville. There were no cars in my lane in front of me and the car suddenly activated what acura refers to as the cmbs system. The purpose of this is to stop us if it thinks we are going to run into another vehicle. I'm not 100% sure but I think this is related to the adaptive cruise control. We had not used cruise control that day because traffic on rt 95 south was extremely heavy. We had finally turned off on rt 20 and traffic wasn't as heavy so we felt we could safely use the cruise control. We were traveling at about 73 mph and the car suddenly started hard braking. It was flashing brake in big letters in the dash. There was another vehicle behind so I kept pushing on the gas pedal to keep going but the car literally would not release the brakes. The vehicle from behind hit us. There is a video cam in my car so I have a video that shows the car traveling smoothly then all at once bouncing and jerking as it keeps applying the brakes. We also have photos of the front of the car showing that the cameras that this system uses were clear and unobstructed. The other driver was charged but it was absolutely the fault of the acura for this malfunction. Acura roadside assistance tried to tell us how to disable this system but the info they provided was for another year model and didn't work. We went on youtube and found the correct information and have disabled this system. There were other videos on youtube describing this exact issue with this system failure with acura vehicles. We have also filed a report with acura customer care. It is case #[xxx]. We have also reported this to our insurance company (travelers) and to state farm, the company that is handling the claim for repair. The state farm claim # is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Dec 11, 2022 |
| State | CT |
| Description | Noticed my 2021 acura tlx a-spec sh-awd has fluid leaking from the rear differential where the driveshaft connects. The vehicle has 16,531 miles on the odometer. Honda is releasing a recall for leaking rear differential on the honda crv as well accords. Honda may want to include the acura tlx's as well in the recall as they are reporting the drivesshaft may cause serious damage at high speeds if the differential is leaking. |
| Category | Electrical System, Service Brakes, Steering |
| Date | Sep 24, 2022 |
| State | CT |
| Description | Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps. |
| Category | Lane Departure: Warning |
| Date | Aug 19, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | While traveling on a narrow road and a narrow bridge, the lane departure system caused the car to veer left into another car. The road had no dividing lane marker. The car was totaled and my wife injured |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jul 19, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | When brakes are depressed, there is a spring release/clicking noise. As we have put milage on car it has gotten progressively louder. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Jun 05, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | In many instances while driving about 40-60 mph and with no vehicles in front the car would suddenly brake. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance, Service Brakes |
| Date | Mar 07, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where she was informed that the electrical system needed to be reset; however, once the system was reset, the original brake noise failure returned. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 11. |
| Category | Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Feb 06, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | I was driving down the freeway, in a new 2021 acura tlx with 2000 miles on it. It was raining when I went to switch lanes and floor it to pass another car and the check engine light came on and the power dies and speed dramatically slows down and I'm unable to accelerate. The check engine light is flashing and the car will not reach 40mph. Again I'm on the freeway. This was a very dangerous situation. There were no warnings leading up to this catastrophic fuel/engine issue. I took the car to the acura dealer who said there had been reports of issues related to water getting into the car's intercooler for the turbo causing the car to misfire and then going into “safe mode†with a flashing check engine light. They installed acura sb 20-053 pgm-fi update. I'm picking the car up on 2/6/22 and hoping the issue is resolved. Again this was a serious fuel engine issue that if I'd been passing a car on a two lane road into oncoming traffic could have been deadly |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Jan 25, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | Purchased new 2021 acura tlx in april 2021 from leith acura raleigh. On 5/22, 7/6, 7/23, & 11/2/21, the fuel capless unit was adjusted once replaced 3 times. American honda is aware of the problems with the part & sent service bulletins to every acura service dept. American honda stated this & the 2 dealerships did also. On 8/4, there was an issue. Steering column began dripping grease. Grease dripping from steering shaft bolts "due to extreme heat". 12/7/21, extremely loud, high pitch squeal from brakes due to issue known by american honda. Service bulletin sent to acura service dept. Rotor rubs against another part on these cars. They explained there's no fix as of yet. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, & is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel capless unit (already replaced 3 times), steering column (steering shaft bolts), & brakes. Available for inspection whenever you all need for me to take it to the dealership again. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? American honda has advised all acura dealerships that these are known issues. They will not label them as recalls because they do not put acura owners at risk, according to them. But, they send service bulletins to the dealerships advising all acura service departments that they know about these problems. The steps to fix the issue may or may not work per dealers. As for the brakes, they've explained that they currently do not know the fix for the issue. They're still trying to figure it out, according to both acura dealerships. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes it has on at least 6 occasions by acura dealerships. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, there have been warning indicators & messages. |
| Category | Electrical System, Power Train, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 28, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | The vehicle vin - [xxx] the vehicle, 2021 acura tlx, was purchased on june 8, 2021, from the showroom floor of metro acura dealership. The vehicle was sold as being compatible with iphone, bluetooth handsfree link, and apple carplay. Not to mention the innovative technology, automatic lighting control, and auto-idle stop system. The vehicle was purchased with a full 4 year/50,000-mile warranty. I have dealt with metro acura in montclair, ca, spreen acura in riverside, ca, and wittmeier honda in chico, ca. I have attached the service reports from the said dealerships for your review. This does not include the three times I have called for roadside assistance due to being stranded by the 2021 acura tlx. September 6- the vehicle would not unlock, even with the key. Stranded in a parking lot. Called roadside assistance by the time some came, the car unlocked. September 8- the warning light auto idle stop came on while driving september 10 – I took the vehicle to spreen honda and spoke with [xxx]. The vehicle had 3,275 miles. I was told that if lights are not on now, there is nothing they can do. I also explained that the bluetooth is sporadic, and the vehicle will ring even after the phone call has been answered. I insisted they keep the vehicle and try. Later the same day, after I picked up the vehicle, warning lights came on again about 40 minutes later -auto idle stop, automatic lighting control- light while driving during this time, the warning lights would continue to come on intermittently while driving. September 15- I took the vehicle to metro acura and dealt with [xxx]. The vehicle had 3910 miles. I explained to them about the vehicle not unlocking and warning lights. They stated something occurred when they put the wrap on the car, which caused the vehicle to not open; they said it was fixed. Unable to find a reason for warning lights. September 20 -auto idle stop, automatic lighting control- l information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C |
| Category | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery, Service Brakes |
| Date | Aug 25, 2021 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Aug 09, 2021 |
| State | NY |
| Description | Whenever I press the brake pedal at low speeds(1-3 mph) I hear a loud spring/clicking sound. This is happening to multiple acura tlx owners I know. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Jul 21, 2021 |
| State | AR |
| Description | If the car thinks the door is not fully closed, it will not allow the car to go into drive. My husband put the car into reverse and backed out onto a busy highway. He tried to put the car into drive and it would not go because the car's electrical system thought the door was not fully shut (it was). He had to shut the car off completely and open/close the door again. This put him in a very dangerous situation and he could have been killed by oncoming traffic. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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