2021 Acura TLX problems
The 2021 Acura TLX has 64 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Acura TLX has 64 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 93,039 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 TLX | 93 | 0 |
| 2019 TLX | 91 | 1 |
| 2020 TLX | 61 | 0 |
| 2021 TLX (this page) | 64 | 0 |
| 2022 TLX | 25 | 1 |
| 2023 TLX | 10 | 1 |
| 2024 TLX | 5 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2021 Acura TLX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 93,039 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 20,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- brakes — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 32,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 5 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 20,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Acura TLX
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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,…
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 contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and another dealer, Park Ave Acura (247 W Passaic St, Maywood, NJ 07607); were…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. DP26001 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA25004 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2021 Acura TLX reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Acura TLX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Acura TLX?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Acura TLX does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Acura TLX?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,039 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Acura TLX a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 64 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 93,039 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Acura TLX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,039 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,039 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura TLX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Acura TLX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 64 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.