Research · Compact Cars

2019 Acura TLXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 93 owner complaints for the 2019 Acura TLX. Most complaints involve engine (32) and fuel/propulsion system (14). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–27mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
93
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

93 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine32
  2. Fuel/propulsion system14
  3. Engine and engine cooling13
  4. Fuel system, gasoline13
  5. Electrical system12
  6. Power train11
  7. Service brakes7
  8. Vehicle speed control6
  9. Forward collision avoidance5

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
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
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

Engine

32 reports1 crash
“- The engine ceased while the car was moving, causing (a) A sudden stop (b) Engine stopping and the car becoming inoperable in the middle of a street. - There were no injuries because the failure happened at low speed. The same failure on an expressway would be a major safety concern since the car came to sudden stop. - The failed engine was inspected by an authorized Acura dealer. Cause identified as cylinder 2 rod bearing failure. - There was a slight knocking sound right before the incident occured - The car was driving fine before the incident. There were no warning indicators. - The engine (short block) was replaced previously on the same car due to a knocking sound.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026EngineODI 11770633

Fuel/propulsion system

14 reports
“I am formally requesting a neutral third-party arbitration review under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to compel American Honda Motor Co. to provide a permanent mechanical remedy—specifically, the sourcing and installation of a brand-new, redesigned engine assembly (Engine #Four)— This vehicle frame is now on its third engine block. Car was bought 11/30/2024. At Grubbs Acura, fuel pump safety recall that involves flashing/re-calibrating the Engine Control Unit (FI-ECU) software was done. Just a few weeks after new fuel pump, the vehicle displayed sudden stalling symptoms. The engine suffered a terminal, catastrophic internal collapse. The vehicle was towed to Grubbs Acura where Corporate Honda directed a forced out-of-pocket internal engine teardown. The physical teardown explicitly confirmed a catastrophic connecting rod bearing failure (spun bearing) identical to the structural manufacturing flaws currently under active federal investigation by the NHTSA under Preliminary Evaluation PE25008 / RQ24-025. Corporate Honda subsequently issued a verbal agreement to fully reimburse my out-of-pocket teardown fees. Because a manufacturer will never fund diagnostic…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11740358

Engine and engine cooling

13 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel failed to responded as needed. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was restarted but stalled immediately. The contact inspected the vehicle but found no fault. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11752202
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S8) · 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 FWD
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,950330
TLX FWD A-SPEC
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$3,050336
TLX FWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203124$3,300376
TLX AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450379
TLX AWD A-SPEC
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450387
TLX FWD A-SPEC
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203023$3,450381
  • TLX FWD
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • TLX FWD A-SPEC
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • TLX FWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 31 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • TLX AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • TLX AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • TLX FWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    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 13012Vehicle 13011
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

2019 TLX questions

How many recalls does the 2019 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 2019 Acura TLX problems?

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (32), fuel/propulsion system (14), engine and engine cooling (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Acura TLX get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Acura TLX at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Acura TLX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Acura TLX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026