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Research · Compact Cars

2021 Acura TLXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 2021 Acura TLX. Most complaints involve power train (28) and electrical system (10). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
72
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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

Service brakes

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 12, 2025NHTSA 25V391000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2024NHTSA 24V950000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

72 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train28
  2. Electrical system10
  3. Service brakes10
  4. Air bags8
  5. Forward collision avoidance8
  6. Suspension6
  7. Fuel/propulsion system6
  8. Engine5
  9. Lane departure3

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
4
Fires reported
0
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

Power train

28 reports
“VEHICLE LOSING TRACTION WHILE DRIVING. CONFIRMED BY [XXX]'S ACURA IN [XXX]. CONFIRMED: TRANSFER CASE WITH BAD TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE NOW INOPERABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Power train, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11771884

Electrical system

10 reports1 crash
“On October 4, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, the 2021 Acura TLX suffered a catastrophic and sequential collapse of its primary safety and electronic control systems while in motion. Without warning, the vehicle's dashboard suddenly illuminated with a cascade of severe system malfunctions, beginning with a critical "Brake System Problem" warning, immediately followed by a "Power Steering System Problem," which caused the steering wheel to become dangerously heavy and difficult to maneuver. Simultaneously, a string of secondary critical alerts flashed across the information display, including a "Lane Assist System Problem," effectively disabling the vehicle's automated driver-assist, traction, and stability networks. This total electronic network blackout culminated moments later in a severe collision that caused significant structural damage, including a snapped front axle. Despite the force of the impact meeting the necessary physical criteria for severe crash deceleration, the vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) completely failed, and none of the airbags deployed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11772571

Service brakes

10 reports1 crash
“Driving towards the gas station, still at lows speeds while I was in the neighborhood so speed limit was 15mph. I can hear and feel the car struggle to move forward, about 2 minutes into the drive a hear a big TOON and check engine light is on for about a minute before going away. I filled gas and headed back home and I heard a larger TOON but this time all the warning light came up. These are all errors reported by the car at the same time - Vehicle Stability System - Hill Start Assist Problem - Addictive Cruise Control System Problem - Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem - Road Departure Mitigation System Problem - Emission System Problem - All Wheel Drive System Problem - Brake System Problem These are all errors that appeared on the Acura app - Emission System Problem - Vehicle Stability System - Electric Parking Brake Problem - Electric Power Steering Problem - Adaptive Cruise Control Problem”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11723440
All 2021 TLX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
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 (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,200352
TLX FWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$3,200357
TLX AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300369
TLX AWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300371
  • TLX FWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • TLX FWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • TLX AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • TLX AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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
9.0%
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
9.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 15740Vehicle 15737
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

2021 TLX questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Acura TLX have?

4 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 2021 Acura TLX problems?

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (28), electrical system (10), service brakes (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Acura TLX get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Acura TLX at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Acura TLX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Acura TLX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026