Acura TLX transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2025
147 of the 594 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura TLX 2016–2025 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2021 (55), 2022 (18), 2017 (18). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Acura TLX transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 2 | 40% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 9 | 47% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2022 | 18 | 53% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 55 | 54% | — | 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 | 7 | 11% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 11 | 12% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 11 | 12% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 18 | 25% | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 16 | 15% | — | 58 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 12 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 36 · 2026: 53
Across the model years, half of the 29 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 11,000 and 48,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. 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…
Purchased this vehicle used, as-is, from a Ford dealership on August 18, 2026. Approximately 90 minutes after taking delivery, the vehicle began displaying multiple dashboard warning lights and lost access to Sport+ drive mode.
Transfer case failure, leakage, discovered after warranty expired. Took vehicle in describing seeming loss of AWD and tech informed me it was “normal” I Later discovered, during an oil change, a leak From the transmission or transfer case that covered the lower skid plate, which looking up, was directly related to a known failure of the…
Car experiences intermittent electrical system failure. Upon failure, drivers will experiance random and rapid clicking, clanking, and electrical systems discharging like lights, screens, and alarm.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
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…
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Acura TLX years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2021, 55; 2022, 18; 2017, 18. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (54%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Acura TLX?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. 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 Acura TLX?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 22,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 11,000 and 48,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
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.