The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
35 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 BMW 3 Series 352016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 542016 Audi A4 35
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2016 Acura TLX
- Engine stalling15 complaintsmostly at 49,000–95,000 miles (79,000–153,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Acura TLX (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,400 and 38,000 miles (3,900–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline), 23V751000 (engine) and 19V060000 (fuel system, other) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into no restart after auto start/stop engages. Has this car had that problem?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Acura sent dealers 251 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “In a 9-speed a/t, the atf level is critical”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 35 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 37K miles (4K to 61K km) on the car (30 of all 35 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle does not start. Total electric failure. Not a battery problem per dealer. Still at dealership.
2016 Acura TLX owner · NHTSA complaint 11132792
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 18.0M views · 2015–2020 Acura TLX
- Gauges, lights & wiring234K views
How to reset maintenance required light, oil life reset on a 2015-2020 Acura TLXGeorge Melnik · 126K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service187K views
Acura TLX Oil Life Reset 2015 2016 2017Oil Light Reset · 68K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical93K views
Acura TLX 2015 electrical issue, not battery, car won't start/wont crankFlyingDoctorC · 93K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition75K views
Acura No Start 2016 TLX Won't Crank...Clicks...Solved...Peter L · 31K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
- Transmission & shifter55K views
2016 Acura MDX dangerous issue for 9 speed auto transmission ...TLX and Honda Pilots too!!!Rob Daman · 55K views - Death wobble & steering17K views
2015 Acura TLX - Rear Steering Problem! Diag & Fix!Advanced Level Diagnostics · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
2016 Acura TLX PROBLEMSMike Chandler · 80K views
2015-2020 Acura TLX Buyer’s Guide - Reliability & Common ProblemsDiscerning Cars · 73K views
2015 Acura TLX V6 Review - Should You Buy One?Masry Motors · 37K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 251 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- In a 9-speed a/t, the atf level is critical
- Replacement tcms dont come with trim data
- Service news article - are you looking at what seems to be a rear differential axle seal or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Engine · recall issued 2023
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2019 3.5L engines only
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenNo restart after auto start/stop engages2025
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura TLX 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TLX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,700–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TLX year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Acura TLX years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tlx/?y=2016" title="Acura TLX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tlx/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Acura TLX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Acura TLX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TLX year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2018.
What are the most common 2016 Acura TLX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), transmission & drivetrain (23%) and speed control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Acura TLX have?
3 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Acura TLX get?
25 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Acura TLX safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Acura TLX problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,400 and 38,000 miles (3,900–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Acura TLX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Acura TLX cost in fuel a year?
About $2,700 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Acura TLX have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura TLX year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works