Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Acura TLX powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Acura TLX have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 TLX | 14 |
| 2017 TLX | 18 |
| 2018 TLX | 10 |
| 2019 TLX | 10 |
| 2020 TLX (this page) | 7 |
| 2021 TLX | 23 |
| 2022 TLX | 9 |
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Acura TLX we track for powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (7).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
the engine failed and lost all power to the car. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because if i was going on a freeway and freeway speeds i probably would have crash and potentially crash into other people, causing a huge safety issue. The problem has been confirmed by dealer. They said it is very possible the engine rod bearing could have caused this. This is being…
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light, the emission system failure, and electronic parking assist messages were displayed. Additionally, the AWD feature had become inoperable, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. After disconnecting and reconnecting the negative…
Vehicle will suddenly shift into neutral while driving and won’t shift into drive until the vehicle is turned off and restarted
2 1/2 years before the current connecting rod bearing recall, my engine failed due to the connecting rod bearing at 53,000 miles. After fighting with Acura for almost a year, they agreed to replace the motor. However, when I picked it up, they had only rebuilt the motor. Now that motor's rod has failed at 68,000 miles and they refuse to replace the motor. They say it doesn't have anything to…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2020 Acura TLX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2020 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Acura/TLX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.