In a segment dominated by German brands, luxury sedans have a strong contender in the Acura TLX. This car is Acura’s flagship sedan and many car owners agree it’s a great ride: well-built, fuel-efficient, and equipped with a good infotainment system.
Let’s take a closer look at the TLX’s reliability and common problems, and answer your questions in this guide.
Are Acura TLXs Reliable?
The Acura TLX has mixed reviews, but the general sentiment toward this luxury sedan leans toward the positive. RepairPal gives the TLX an excellent reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 in terms of ownership costs and repairs. It boasts a lower-than-average frequency of repairs, and the issues reported are generally minor.
As a matter of fact, the TLX is #1 in the RepairPal ranking of luxury midsize cars.
Meanwhile, owner reviews on JD Power and US News and World Report say the Acura pales in comparison to other German brands in the segment, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in quality, reliability, resale value, performance, and dealership experience.
Despite these reviews, the same owners shared what they liked best about the Acura TLX—its storage space, seat comfort, visibility, and audio quality. Second-generation TLXs were also given high scores for interior styling, steering, and handling.
On the flip side, owners and reviewers noted that fuel economy, voice assistance features, and navigation system features could be better.
Overall, the Acura TLX is a reliable, entry-level luxury sedan with good performance and aesthetics. The car is held to higher standards because of its segment and, indeed, some things about the TLX could be enhanced. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your ride or want something comfortable to take out for a spin on the weekends, this car is a great choice.
What Are the Most Common Issues with Acura TLXs?
Even the most reliable vehicles can have some common issues. Here are the typical problems you might encounter in certain model years of the TLX:
Fuel Pump Failure
According to some Acura TLX owners and owners of other Honda vehicles, the fuel pump inside their fuel tank failed. Due to this issue, Acura recalled the affected units in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall #23V858000.
Affected Model Years:
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
Vehicle Stability Assist Concerns
Some Acura TLX drivers reported receiving a “Vehicle Stability Assist: 61 – 12” message. Owners have reported that replacing the battery usually appears to solve this issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
Problems with Auto Idle Stop
It has been reported that, on occasion, the engine wouldn’t restart when the brake pedal was released. Owners have reported that it requires several attempts to press the start button to get the car to shut down, reboot, and restart.
Affected Model years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
Erratic Idling
In some Acura TLX model years, there has been an issue with the idle air control system. According to some owners, this issue can have other noticeable symptoms, such as poor mileage, an illuminated check engine lamp, stalling, and the presence of the P0505 code. This problem can be caused by a dirty or malfunctioning idle air control valve or leaks in the air intake system.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Engine Issues
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine of some Acura TLXs may wear and seize, potentially causing engine damage. This issue prompted Acura to recall the affected vehicles in the NHTSA campaign #23V751000.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
EGR Failure
In some TLX model years with V6 engines, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, eliciting symptoms like excessive engine vibration, long cranking before the engine starts, and the P0401 and P1491 codes. Cleaning the EGR valve or replacing it entirely are known fixes.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Transmission Shifting to Neutral
A few two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive 2015 Acura TLXs are known to have transmission wire harnesses with not enough crimps. This issue can cause the transmission to shift to neutral without warning. In other cases, the transmission may jerk between gears, hesitate, and even completely fail.
Acura has addressed this issue by recalling the affected vehicles.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
Difficulty Starting
Problems with the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system have been reported in some Acura TLX with V6 engines. According to these reports, the EVAP canister vent solenoid may become unresponsive and cause difficulty in starting the engine. Replacing the vent valve or cleaning and resealing it can fix the issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Stalling
Two widely reported issues with Acura TLXs are stalling and reduced fuel performance. Units affected by these issues include certain Honda vehicles with 3.5L V6 engines. According to the reports, particulates in the fuel may stick to some internal components of the fuel pump and reduce the vehicle’s performance.
Vehicles affected by this problem were recalled in NHTSA recall #19V060000.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
Rough Shifting
Another common issue in TLX with V6 engines with automatic transmissions is an illuminated check engine lamp, accompanied by rough shifting, and a flashing D4 light. Owners have also encountered trouble codes such as P0700, P0730, P0740, P0780, and P1768 along with this symptom.
Faulty transmission, a faulty sensor, or dirty transmission fluid may cause this problem.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
What Are the Best Model Years for the Acura TLX?
Based on reliability scores, owner comments on online forums and common issues, we’ve listed down some of the best model years for the Acura TLX:
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
FAQ
Is the Acura TLX built on the Accord platform?
Second-generation Acura TLXs are built on its own exclusive platform. The TLX has a front double wishbone suspension, forged aluminum lower control arms, cast aluminum damper towers, and an aluminum subframe.
How long does an Acura TLX last?
The Acura TLX is a reliable car that’s known to last pretty long—up to 200,000 miles or more—with proper maintenance and care. As long as you follow the recommended service intervals and use the appropriate fluids, you’re all set to enjoy your TLX for long.