Research · Compact Cars

2015 Acura TLXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 344 owner complaints for the 2015 Acura TLX. Most complaints involve power train (161) and engine (83). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
344
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 18, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 13, 2023NHTSA 23V751000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Fuel system, otherReported Jan 29, 2019NHTSA 19V060000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

344 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train161
  2. Engine83
  3. Electrical system64
  4. Service brakes24
  5. Vehicle speed control23
  6. Fuel/propulsion system18
  7. Steering15
  8. Engine and engine cooling14
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each TLX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2015344
2016111
201771
201895
201993
202063
202172
202226
202311
20245
20254
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

161 reports5 crashes
“While driving my 2015 Acura TLX, warning lights illuminate and the vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral while the vehicle is moving. When this occurs, the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate normally, creating a serious safety concern in traffic. These symptoms appear consistent with the condition addressed by Acura recall KC2 (NHTSA Recall 16V-640), involving the transmission wire harness/connection and transmission control system. The recall describes a condition in which the transmission can unexpectedly shift into neutral while driving. My VIN is not coming up under recall yet my vehicle has done this same thing multiple times over the past few months. I need my VIN added to recall list so this serious issue can be repaired under recall by Acura.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Power trainODI 11769122

Engine

83 reports
“I am reporting a catastrophic safety defect and a failure of a federal recall remedy on my 2015 Acura TLX. My vehicle was previously identified as part of the connecting rod bearing recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000). The dealership performed the official recall inspection/remedy in February 2026. However, in September 2026, the engine suddenly developed a loud, metallic knocking sound coming directly from the motor. A metallic knock is the primary warning sign of imminent rod bearing failure, which poses a severe safety risk of sudden engine seizure and stalling while driving at highway speeds. I contacted Acura Customer Service to report that the recall remedy failed and that the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Acura corporate has completely denied my claim and refused to take corrective action, despite this being a direct, unmitigated failure of the recalled component. Injuries: No Crash: No Fire: No Speed at time of incident: Idle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026EngineODI 11770890

Electrical system

64 reports2 crashes
“The emergency brake system continues to come on and read all the type of stuff on the screen, as well as the LKAS keeps coming on the screen showing problems and when it does, the transmission or engines stalls a little and slows up and speed down on its on”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Lane departureODI 11733172
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM8) · Automatic (S9)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TLX
Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,850321
TLX
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213425$3,200358
TLX AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
213125$3,200360
  • TLX
    Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • TLX
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 34 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • TLX AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Acura TLX 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Acura TLX 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 9318Vehicle 9317
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 TLX questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Acura TLX have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Acura TLX problems?

Owners filed 344 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (161), engine (83), electrical system (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Acura TLX get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Acura TLX at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Acura TLX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Acura TLX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026