2020 Acura TLX problems & reliability
62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura TLX, alongside 5 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.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2020 Acura TLX vehicles were involved in 13 fatal crashes with 7 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 → | 19 | 31% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 12 | 19% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 15% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 13% |
| Power Train | 7 | 11% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 10% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 8% |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 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.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to continue driving while being 300…”
Engine · filed Aug 5, 2026
“The cars Emission Systems and Parking Brake lights come on, and the dealer can not diagnose this issue properly. I have taken it in 4 times, and it continues to happen. I fear the parking brake coming on while driving.”
Electrical System · filed May 1, 2026
“Transmission harsh and delayed gear engagement, sometimes it won’t shift unless it’s done manually, few times it didn’t shift even though I shifted manually, I had to increase engine speed to about 5000 RPM so it shifts, transmission goes into neutral when trying to to accelerate while it’s in drive and intermittent…”
Power Train · filed Mar 8, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Engine failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE25008 · opened Aug 20, 2025 · open
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engineering Analysis EA25004 · opened Mar 26, 2025 · open
- Engine failure
Recall Query RQ24013 · opened Nov 8, 2024 · closed Aug 20, 2025
Technical service bulletins
48 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura TLX. The 10 most recent:
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 News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in…
B24040A · Other · issued May 1, 2024
Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441…
B23-035 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2024
Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow…
B23-035 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 15, 2023
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
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2021 RDXs & TLX L4s with a client complaint of an oil leak or a dealer technician noticing an oil leak from the head cover gasket…
BTI&12132022904 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2022
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2021 RDXs & TLX L4s with a client complaint of an oil leak or a dealer technician noticing an oil leak from the head cover gasket…
BTI&11282022903 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 28, 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 2020 Acura TLX has 5 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 2020 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.