2016 Acura TLX problems & reliability
110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Acura TLX, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (6 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2016 Acura TLX vehicles were involved in 16 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 25% |
| Electrical System | 24 | 22% |
| Power Train | 15 | 14% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 13% |
| Unknown OR Other | 14 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 9% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 39,500 miles (middle 50% between 15,791 and 83,750 miles), based on 52 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“PAWS system component failure causing the steering angle to misalign, throttle response to decrease, and drivability to decrease severely”
Electrical System · filed Jul 18, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was cloudy and was not functioning because there was water inside the camera. While reversing, the driver was unable to see an image behind the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure…”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jul 13, 2026
“This vehicle was sold to me on July 18, 2025 with Campaign CH7 open and unperformed. The dealer's disclosure form falsely stated that I had been informed of all recalls with the vehicle. No specific mention of Campaign CH7 was ever made. Separately, Acura manufacturer records (eVRM/Techline) confirm that this…”
Engine · filed Jun 19, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engineering Analysis EA25004 · opened Mar 26, 2025 · open
- Electrical overstress
Engineering Analysis EA19001 · opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · led to recall 20V024
Technical service bulletins
248 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Acura TLX. The 10 most recent:
Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year warranty extension period for each vehicle…
BPS&08122025901 · Other · issued Aug 12, 2025
Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the…
B22-009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 7, 2025
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.
B24-022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 19, 2025
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
B24-022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2024
Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
B16-008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 4, 2024
Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with new PGM-FI software…
ONL6AX07052023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 5, 2023
Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures the…
B23-009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2023
"Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. To ensure your confidence in your vehicle. Acura is extending the…
Defect Code 6T6, · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 15, 2022
"Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with new PGM-FI software update to…
Defect Code 6AX, · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 14, 2022
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174…
BTI&05102022901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 10, 2022
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2016 Acura TLX has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2016 Acura TLX?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 39,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.