The Lemon Index
2020
20222nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 BMW 3 Series 172021 Audi A42021 Tesla Model 3 489
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V721000 (steering), 26V332000 (airbags) and 25V391000 (brakes) done? It has 6 recalls in all. 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?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Acura sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “AH is looking for failed AGM batteries on the 2021 TLX”?
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 30 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 →
In owners' words
The infotainment system glitches or goes static after a bump of any sort. Sometimes it would restart entirely. Or just not work until I stop and restart the car.
2021 Acura TLX owner · NHTSA complaint 11507240
More owner reports
In many instances while driving about 40-60 MPH and with no vehicles in front the car would suddenly brake.
NHTSA complaint 11467646
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 24.5M views · 2021–2025 Acura TLX
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical12K views
2021 Acura TLX Infotainment Overview: No Touchscreen, No ProblemCarScoops · 12K views - Oil changes & service11K views
Acura TLX 2021-2025 Oil Change Secrets REVEALED!Axtuo Ax · 11K views
Before you buy, watch
The 2025 Acura TLX Type S is the MOST reliable AWD performance sedan!Raiti's Rides · 226K views
Should you BUY the 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec or WAIT for the Type S?Raiti's Rides · 155K views
ALL THE PROBLEMS MY 2023 ACURA TLX TYPE S HAS HAD SO FAR.....TLX MAL · 23K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- AH is looking for failed AGM batteries on the 2021 TLX
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Steering · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The software for the electric power steering (EPS) assist may cause the EPS system to enter a failsafe mode, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Brakes · recall issued 2025
The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
Show all 6 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2025
A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2024
The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
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
- ClosedAll wheel drive allegation2026
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 AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TLX 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TLX year. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tlx/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Acura TLX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Acura TLX reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TLX year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2018.
What are the most common 2021 Acura TLX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), automatic emergency braking (23%) and brakes (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Acura TLX have?
6 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Acura TLX get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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.
Does the 2021 Acura TLX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Acura TLX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Acura TLX have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Acura TLX year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
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