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Your vehicleHome›Acura›TLX› 2021
Acura · Compact Sedan

2021 Acura TLX

Gas
Compact Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 5
Complaints4 crash · 3 injured reported 104
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Acura TLX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the TLX FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 104 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Acura TLX — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Acura TLX · Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitCompare a trim →
TrimPowertrainDriveMSRPHPTorqueMPG combCargo (2nd row)Wheels
TLXGasFWD—272 hp280 lb-ft25 mpg13.5 cu-ft18 in
TLXGasAWD—272 hp280 lb-ft24 mpg13.5 cu-ft18 in
TLX TechnologyGasFWD—272 hp280 lb-ft25 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX TechnologyGasAWD—272 hp280 lb-ft24 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX A-SpecGasFWD—272 hp280 lb-ft25 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX A-SpecGasAWD—272 hp280 lb-ft24 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX AdvanceGasFWD—272 hp280 lb-ft25 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX AdvanceGasAWD—272 hp280 lb-ft24 mpg13.5 cu-ft19 in
TLX Type SGasAWD—355 hp354 lb-ft21 mpg13.5 cu-ft20 in
TLX Type S Performance Wheel & TireGasAWD—355 hp354 lb-ft21 mpg13.5 cu-ft20 in

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
TLX FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$3,300
TLX FWD A-SPECGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223025$3,300
TLX AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$3,400
TLX AWD A-SPECGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$3,400
TLX Type-SGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192521$3,900
TLX Type-S Perf TireGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192421$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43238, 43237, 43236, 43235, 43966, 43967.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
TLX AWD, TLX AWD A-SPEC, TLX FWD, TLX FWD A-SPEC7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
TLX Type-S, TLX Type-S Perf Tire5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Also on file Beside the 2021 TLX
Other years The 2025 TLX Recalls Acura recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Acura TLX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

98,892 vehicles 32% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 reported May 21, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FLX, XLY
259,033 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Oct 23, 2020 – Feb 28, 2025
Problem 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." Risk A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V391000 reported Jun 12, 2025 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

EL1, AL0
294,612 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power. Risk An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Fix Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V031000 reported Jan 23, 2025 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

JKX
167 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Dec 8, 2020 – Nov 10, 2023
Problem 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V950000 reported Dec 19, 2024 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

XHP, VHQ
750,114 vehicles 58% reported repaired
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended. Risk An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 reported Feb 1, 2024 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) — All wheel drive allegation closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure reduces vehicle directional control. Most traditional AWD systems utilize mechanical and passive measures. These systems h

Opened Mar 6, 2026 · closed Aug 4, 2026 · action DP26001 · the investigation’s page →

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages open

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · action EA25004 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific TLX

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Acura publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Acura’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Acura TLX, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Acura TLX

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this TLX →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
104complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

34 per 10,000 built · Acura reported 30,777 TLX built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 40

Most-cited components

Power Train → 57
Electrical System 12
Service Brakes 11
Forward Collision Avoidance 11
Unspecified 10
Air Bags 8

In depth: transmission and drivetrain problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Was driving the car under normal acceleration when the transfer case failed. No power to the rear wheels. Acura dealer confirmed the problem. Will be fixed under warranty. No warning lamps or messages on the dash
Power Train Oct 31, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11696739
I am reporting a critical safety issue with my 2021 Acura TLX (VIN: ), specifically related to the transmission and transfer case. The problem is centered around the transmission’s spline splitting into the transfer case, which causes severe jerking while driving.
Electrical System Sep 18, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11615217
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Air Bags Dec 6, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11629335
I would like to report a serious safety issue with the 2021 Acura TLX Type s. Recently in April 2024, while driving, I heard a loud pop from the vehicle, and it turned out that the transfer case had burst into the transmission. This failure has rendered the rear-wheel drive non-functional, resulting in severe oversteer.
Engine Nov 9, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11624322
While I was driving on the highway I heard a loud pop over head and when I open my roof shade I saw the my sunroof was shattered. Then glasses started flying everywhere. The shattered pieces of sunroof glasses put me at risk and other motor vehicles on the road.
Structure Jan 15, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11565496
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that whenever the radio was turned on and occasionally randomly, there was a crackling and popping sound heard in the speakers. The contact then stated that while shifted in reverse, the rear-view camera screen intermittently displayed a blank screen or delayed displaying an image.
Back Over Prevention at 33,000 miles Sep 25, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11546363

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Acura itself: 17 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 18 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 55 per 100,000 built. Every TLX model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (5)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
5reports filed

3 no injury reported · 2 severity unknown

Jul 2021 to Feb 2022 · 4 with an air bag deployment · 4 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Unknown 5

Filed by: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Feb 2022Level 2UnknownunknownFL—62-2448
Jan 2022Level 2Unknownno injury reportedMD—62-2175
Dec 2021Level 2Unknownno injury reportedNY—62-2363
Jul 2021Level 2UnknownunknownKY—62-2234
—Level 2Unknownno injury reportedUN—62-2703

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

Customer called requesting assistance with back-ordered part. Customer states they were involved in an incident in October 2021 where another car pulled out in front of them resulting in a collision. Customer alleges Lane Keeping Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged at the time of the incident
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2703 — NHTSA SGO filing
The customer was driving through a parking lot when another vehicle back out of a parking spot and hit the customer. The customer alleges that the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2363 Dec 2021 NHTSA SGO filing
The customer alleges that another driver ran a red light and t-boned the customer. The customer alleges that the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-2234 Jul 2021 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Honda warranty extension (66) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 144
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-05-18
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 116 service bulletins, 27 others, 1 over-the-air update

Most often about: Service Brakes, Electrical System, Suspension, Engine, Equipment.

  • B21674 Over-the-air update
    2026-05-18 · Electrical System
  • Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and installing Over the Air System Updates. System Updates contain upgrades that fix a variety of operational errors and/or enhancements that add new functionality. Information for the various software releases can be found in this document. Software version: D.1.6.4
  • B25-048 Service bulletin
    2025-09-17 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
  • 2025-04-09 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022- 2024 MDXs & 2021-2025 TLXs with a client complaint of a loose or detached rearview mirror bracket. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
  • 2025-02-12 · Suspension
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any ki
  • 2025-01-24 · Suspension
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any ki
  • 2025-01-18 · Suspension
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any ki
  • 2025-01-03 · Suspension
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any ki
  • B24-046 Service bulletin
    2024-12-18 · Electrical System
  • Service Bulletin - A coaxial cable terminal was not manufactured to proper specifications. An improperly manufactured terminal may lead to poor communication in the media-oriented system (MOST) bus network which can potentially affect the audio sound quality.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0455
P0455 on Acura →		A large leak in the evaporative emissions system — often a fuel cap left off.Fuel/Propulsion System · Gas cap →3 bulletins
P061B
P061B on Acura →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Acura TLX failed the emissions check on 1.6% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.2% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 1.6%

failed emissions

1,646 initial inspections of 1,624 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 TLXEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.6%1.9%1,645
Failed the safety inspection1.2%1.5%1,646
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.18%0.19%1,646
Miles driven a year9,28910,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer48,94254,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

TLX by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2025 B 2 4 25 mpg2024 B 2 5 25 mpg2023 C 4 19 25 mpg2022 C 4 34 25 mpg2021 this page C 5 104 25 mpg2020 C 5 63 27 mpg2019 D 6 93 27 mpg2018 C 4 96 27 mpg2017 B 3 71 28 mpg2016 B 3 111 28 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 TLX

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Acura TLX have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Acura TLX. The most serious on file is 26V332000, covering Air Bags. 1 campaign is phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Acura TLX?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Acura TLX 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (70/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Acura TLX?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Acura TLX, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Acura TLX?

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura TLX, most often about power train, electrical system, service brakes. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 3 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Acura TLX?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Acura TLX runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Acura TLX?

The manufacturer has filed 144 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Acura TLX, most often covering service brakes, electrical system, suspension. The most recent is dated 2026-05-18. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Acura TLX do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Acura TLX failed the emissions check on 1.6% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.2% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls5NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints104NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins144NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations2NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports5NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSAnoneNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWe had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment10 trimsManufacturer press kitTranscribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

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Other years The 2025 TLX The TLX model year with the cleanest record on file — grade B, 2 recalls.Recalls Every Acura recall on file All campaigns filed against Acura vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this TLX by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

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