At the shop, Acura transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 1,016 documented complaints across 48 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2015 Acura TLX tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 29 crash reports and 11 injuries on the record. Severity is real, not theoretical. Across the 423 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 48,631 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin ACURA / POWERTRAIN
48 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Acura powertrain problems
1,016 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Acura vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
1,016
Recalls
0
Year-models
48
Avg fix
$2,500
29crashes
11injuries
Worst-affected Acura model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2015 Acura TLX
151 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Acura MDX
109 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Acura MDX
82 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2017 Acura MDX
63 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Acura MDX
60 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Acura MDX
37 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2019 Acura RDX
36 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Acura TL
34 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2019 Acura MDX
29 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2012 Acura TL
27 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Acura TLX
26 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Acura MDX
23 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2018 Acura MDX
22 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Acura RDX
21 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2017 Acura RDX
21 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Acura MDX
18 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Acura TLX
18 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2006 Acura TL
18 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Acura TLX
14 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Acura RDX
13 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2012 Acura MDX
13 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Acura RDX
12 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2019 Acura TLX
10 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Acura TLX
10 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2015 Acura MDX
10 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
Common questions
How many Acura powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
1,016 complaints across 48 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Acura.
Which Acura model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2015 Acura TLX leads with 151 complaints in this category. Next: 2016 MDX (109) and 2005 MDX (82).
What does it cost to fix Acura powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Acura lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Acura powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Acura vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Acura.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.