Research · Compact Cars

2025 Acura TLXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints for the 2025 Acura TLX. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
4
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2025 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Steering2
  3. Engine1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“I was driving in heavy traffic when the steering on my 2025 Acura TLX AWD froze up. Several codes were displayed. I managed to direct the vehicle to the right shoulder where I turned the engine off. I restarted the engine but the steering was still inoperable and the codes were still displayed. I turned the engine off again. When I restarted it the second time the codes were gone and I was able to drive the car back home.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11752741

Steering

2 reports
“Description of Safety Defect: While starting car up, the digital instrument cluster (speedometer and all primary driver instrumentation) goes completely black with no warning. The infotainment system continues to operate normally. After driving a short distance (sometimes only a few miles), the vehicle then experiences a complete loss of power steering, making the car extremely difficult or impossible to control. This creates an immediate risk of a crash, especially at speed or during turning. In multiple instances, after this failure occurs, the vehicle also becomes difficult to shut off, remaining in accessory or powered states despite attempts to turn the vehicle off. This defect involves simultaneous failure of: •Driver instrumentation display •Electric power steering assistance •Normal ignition shutdown behavior The loss of steering assist results in a sudden and unexpected loss of vehicle control. This appears to be an electronic or control-module failure affecting multiple safety-critical systems. Safety Impact: This defect poses a serious risk of crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of steering assistance and lack of speed/vehicle status…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11714464

Engine

1 report
“While driving in humid, rainy conditions for over five hours, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration. Moisture appears to have built up, resulting in a misfire and a flashing MIL/Check Engine light. This occurred while I was overtaking another vehicle just before entering a restricted-width construction zone, making the situation extremely hazardous. The complete loss of acceleration lasted for about a minute. Afterward, I was only able to maintain minimal speed by flooring the accelerator. I continued in this limited-power mode until I could safely exit the highway. After shutting off the vehicle for 10 minutes, I restarted it, and it operated normally. After researching this issue, I found active recalls and service bulletins describing this exact behavior, including: NHTSA Recall Number: 25V-031 Acura Campaign Number: EL1 Service Bulletin Number: 25-010 Additionally, an earlier bulletin describes identical symptoms: Service Bulletin Number: 20-053 (Version 4, dated March 12, 2024) Despite these matches, my VIN does not show any active recalls or bulletins. When I brought the car into the dealership to address this issue under the bulletin,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2025EngineODI 11664634
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 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 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 AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    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
9.0%
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 20099Vehicle 20098
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

2025 TLX questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Acura TLX have?

1 safety recall 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 2025 Acura TLX problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), steering (2), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Acura TLX get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Acura TLX at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Acura TLX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Acura TLX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026