2021 Acura TLX transmission and drivetrain problems
55 of the 101 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura TLX name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 55 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 29
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
101 complaints in all about the 2021 Acura TLX, 29 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Acura TLX transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I am reporting a transmission failure in my 2021 Acura TLX with approximately 84,300miles. While driving under normal conditions, after about 30 minutes on the road, I came to a stop at a red light. When I attempted to accelerate again, the vehicle would not shift out of first gear.
2021 Acura TLX A-Spec SH-AWD and my transmission is leaking from the seal between the transmission and the differential. Acura is not sure if they can cover it under warranty because I am slightly past the powertrain warranty even though they had my car about a week ago when it was just barely past that point and no one said anything…
Transfer Case has gone out. No longer getting power to the rear wheels as it is a AWD car. Problem has not been checked by the dealer yet. There were no warning lights on the dashboard when it went out
The all wheel drive failed do to transfer case splines being sheered off between the transmission and transfer case. No warning lights are on to warn of the rear wheel tires not receiving power to them. I was not aware of this problem and this could have contributed to and accident, as I though the AWD was working, but it wasn't
My vehicle was performing as expected, but there was a smell of burning oil or rubber. When I took the car into the dealership the found that the transmission was slipping and the transfer box was failing. In the video they sent of the initial inspection there is obvious brown sludge leaking from the transmission.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP26001 All wheel drive allegationopened Mar 6, 2026 · closed Aug 4, 2026
- 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 of…
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Acura TLX names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Acura TLX?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 55 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (54% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 NHTSA investigation is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Acura TLX?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 5 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Acura TLX?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.