Model research hub
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX was an entry-level luxury sedan made from 2014 to July 2025, when Acura discontinued it, the successor to the TL and TSX. CarsCounsel says to avoid the 2015 for significant transmission and electrical problems, and CarGurus says buyers interested in the first generation should stick with the reliable 2.4-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed transmission, avoiding the troublesome nine-speed. Federal data shows the 2015 with the most recalls (6) and 341 complaints, falling to 1 recall on the 2024 and 2025.
What the Acura TLX is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the TLX as a four-door entry-level luxury sedan made by Acura from 2014 through 2025, the successor to both the TL and TSX, with a first generation from 2015, a 2018 facelift, a second generation with a Type S performance model from 2021, and a 2024 facelift before discontinuation. It notes the discontinuation of the RLX after the 2020 model year left the TLX without a flagship sedan above it. CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says Acura had big plans for the TLX sport sedan that debuted for the 2015 model year.
Best and worst TLX model years
Federal data shows the 2015 TLX with 6 recalls and 341 complaints, both the most of any year, and the 2016 to 2019 years running 3 to 6 recalls with complaints falling from 110 to 91. The 2020 has 5 recalls, the 2021, the first year of the second generation, has 4, and the 2022 and 2023 have 3 each. The 2024 and 2025, the final model year, have 1 recall each.
CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says buyers should avoid the 2015 model year due to significant transmission and electrical problems. CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says buyers interested in a first-generation TLX may want to avoid the troublesome nine-speed transmission entirely and stick with the lower-power 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, saying a first-generation TLX with that combination and reasonable miles could well prove a good deal for buyers wanting a safe, reliable and efficient sedan.
Buying a TLX now
With production ending in July 2025, a new TLX is no longer available, and CarGurus' engine-and-transmission advice matters more than the model year alone for a first-generation car: pick the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with the eight-speed dual-clutch over any TLX equipped with the nine-speed automatic.
Questions buyers ask
Which Acura TLX years should I avoid?
CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says to avoid the 2015 for significant transmission and electrical problems, and CarGurus warns against any first-generation TLX with the nine-speed automatic.
Is the Acura TLX discontinued?
Yes. Wikipedia gives production as ending in July 2025.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Acura TLX is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S), rated at 272 / 355 horsepower across its midsize luxury sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 TLX seats 5 and is a Midsize luxury sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 owner complaints for the 2025 TLX.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Acura TLX
Technology Package is front-wheel drive with the base 272-horsepower turbo four; A-Spec Package adds standard AWD on the same engine, while Type S gets a distinct 355-horsepower turbo V6 with standard SH-AWD.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Acura TLX model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura TLX | 1 | 2025 record → |
| 2020 Acura TLX | 2020 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Acura TLX.
The Acura TLX is a four-door entry-level luxury sedan that was produced by Acura, a luxury division of Honda, from 2014 through 2025. It was the successor to both the TL and TSX models. The discontinuation of the RLX after the 2020 model year left the TLX as the flagship sedan in Acura's lineup.
- Safety
- TLX safety features include Lane Keeping Assist System with Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information System, Tire Pressure Monitoring system with Tire Fill Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Vehicle Stability Assist. There are 7 airbags, including a driver's side knee airbag. 1 vehicle structure also rated "Acceptable" 2 strength-to-weight ratio: 5.67
Source: Acura TLX (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Acura TLX at a glance
- Production
- July 2014 – July 2025
- Model years
- 2015–2025
- Class
- Entry-level luxury car (D)
- Body style
- 4-door sedan
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (SH-AWD)
- Predecessor
- Acura TL, Acura TSX
Acura TLX generations
The Acura TLX has been redesigned in 2021, gaps of 6 years, an average of 6.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, UB5/UB6/UB7) began in 2021.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | UB1/UB2/UB3/UB4 | 2015–2021 | |
| Second generation | UB5/UB6/UB7 | 2021–present | The second-generation TLX was previewed as the Type S concept car shown at the 2019 Monterey Car Week. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Acura TLX overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. 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… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- June 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages. 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… Consequence: 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.
- December 2024, Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly. 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. Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Acura TLX, most often about electrical system (3), steering (2), engine (1).
Year by year
The Acura TLX across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura TLX | 21–25 | $3,200–$3,800 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Acura TLX | 21–25 | $3,100–$3,700 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Acura TLX | 21–25 | $3,100–$3,700 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Acura TLX | 21–25 | $3,100–$3,700 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 5 stars |
| 2021 Acura TLX | 21–25 | $3,100–$3,700 | 6 | 4 | 67 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Acura TLX | 23–27 | $2,850–$3,350 | 6 | 5 | 62 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Acura TLX | 23–27 | $2,850–$3,350 | 6 | 6 | 91 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Acura TLX | 23–27 | $2,850–$3,350 | 5 | 4 | 93 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Acura TLX | 25–28 | $2,750–$3,100 | 3 | 3 | 70 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Acura TLX | 25–28 | $2,750–$3,100 | 3 | 3 | 110 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Acura TLX | 25–28 | $2,750–$3,100 | 3 | 6 | 341 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Acura TLX, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 to 2024 | 6 to 3 | Labels: TLX AWD, TLX FWD A-SPEC, TLX Type-S Perf Tire | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 25.0 to 23.0 | Labels: TLX Type-S, TLX Type-S Perf Tire; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S10) | Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S8), Automatic (S9) | |
| 2018 to 2019 | 5 to 6 | |||
| 2017 to 2018 | 3 to 5 | 26.5 to 25.0 | Labels: TLX AWD A-SPEC, TLX FWD A-SPEC | |
| 2016 to 2017 | Labels: TLX AWD, TLX FWD | Labels: TLX 2WD, TLX 4WD | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | Labels: TLX 2WD, TLX 4WD; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S8) | Labels: TLX, TLX AWD; Transmissions: Automatic (AM8) |
Buying used
What the Acura TLX recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages) | None |
| 2024 | 1 | service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages) | None |
| 2023 | 3 | fuel system, gasoline (storage); service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2022 | 3 | tires (bead); fuel system, gasoline (storage); service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages) | None |
| 2021 | 4 | air bags (sensor); fuel system, gasoline (storage); service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages) | None |
| 2020 | 5 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); engine and engine cooling; air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2019 | 6 | fuel system, other (delivery); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 1 more | None |
| 2018 | 4 | fuel system, other (delivery); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 1 more | None |
| 2017 | 3 | fuel system, other (delivery); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2016 | 3 | fuel system, other (delivery); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2015 | 6 | equipment (other); power train (automatic transmission); fuel system, other (delivery); 2 more | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 261 | 30% | 2015 (160) |
| engine | 222 | 25% | 2015 (82) |
| electrical system | 156 | 18% | 2015 (64) |
| unknown or other | 116 | 13% | 2015 (41) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 72 | 8% | 2015 (18) |
| engine and engine cooling | 56 | 6% | 2016 (14) |
Trim by trim
Every 2025 Acura TLX trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base w/Technology Pkg | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 3,756 | – | 25 | $46,595 |
| SH-AWD w/A-Spec Pkg | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 3,990 | – | 24 | $51,595 |
| Type S | AWD | 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 355 | 354 | 4,221 | – | 21 | $59,245 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Acura TLX model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 272–355 | 3,756–4,221 | – | 15.9 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 272–355 | 3,756–4,221 | – | 15.9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 272–355 | 3,709–4,221 | – | 15.9 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 272–355 | 3,709–4,221 | – | 15.9 |
| 2021 | 10 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 272 | 3,709–4,028 | – | 15.9 |
| 2020 | 8 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (i-VTEC) / 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,505–3,838 | – | 17.2 |
| 2019 | 7 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (i-VTEC) / 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,505–3,812 | – | 17.2 |
| 2018 | 6 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (i-VTEC) / 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,505–3,680 | – | 17.2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (i-VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,483–3,620 | – | 17.2 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (i-VTEC) / 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,483–3,585 | – | 17.2 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC) / 3.5-liter V6 (VTEC) | 206–290 | 3,483–3,585 | – | 17.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Acura TLX: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2025 Acura TLX : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.5).
- 2024 Acura TLX : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.5).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2019 Acura TLX : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and engine cooling.
- 2015 Acura TLX : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain and Fuel System, Other.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 1 | 4 | brakes |
| 2024 | 1 | 5 | brakes |
| 2023 | 3 | 10 | fuel system, brakes, airbags |
| 2022 | 3 | 25 | tires, fuel system, brakes |
| 2021 | 4 | 67 | airbags, fuel system, brakes |
| 2020 | 5 | 62 | fuel system, airbags, engine cooling |
| 2019 | 6 | 91 | fuel system, engine cooling, Fuel System, Other, airbags |
| 2018 | 4 | 93 | Fuel System, Other, engine cooling, fuel system, airbags |
| 2017 | 3 | 70 | Fuel System, Other, engine cooling, fuel system |
| 2016 | 3 | 110 | Fuel System, Other, engine cooling, fuel system |
| 2015 | 6 | 341 | powertrain, Fuel System, Other, equipment, engine cooling |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Acura TLX?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2025, 2024 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2019, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Acura TLX model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2019 Acura TLX has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, engine cooling, Fuel System, Other; The 2015 Acura TLX has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain, Fuel System, Other, equipment. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Acura TLX model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2025 Acura TLX has 1 recall on file; The 2024 Acura TLX has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 3.5. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Acura TLX by model year?
2025: brakes. 2024: brakes. 2023: fuel system, brakes, airbags. 2022: tires, fuel system, brakes. 2021: airbags, fuel system, brakes. 2020: fuel system, airbags, engine cooling.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Transmission and drivetrain, Buying, records and recalls, Engine and cooling, Brakes, tires and steering.
2019 Acura TLX owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Buying, records and recalls.
2015 Acura TLX owners specifically: see Transmission and drivetrain and Buying, records and recalls and Engine and cooling.
Trim ladder
1 Acura TLX trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Acura TLX is most often compared with.
Nearest Acura models
Other Acura models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 TLX come in?
The 2025 Acura TLX (midsize luxury sedan) comes in 3 trims: Technology Package, A-Spec Package, Type S.
Q02What are the 2025 TLX trims?
The 2025 Acura TLX trims are Technology Package, A-Spec Package, Type S, listed from the entry Technology Package up to the top Type S.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 TLX use?
The 2025 Acura TLX is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S), rated at 272 / 355 horsepower across its midsize luxury sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 TLX have?
The 2025 Acura TLX is rated at 272 / 355 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 TLX?
The 2025 Acura TLX is offered with FWD / AWD.