Menu

2021 Acura TLX Type SProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 32 owner complaints about the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 25V-031 the manufacturer reports only 95% of affected cars repaired.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 95%Owner complaints320 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 31, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Acura TLX Type S has problems

32 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train290
Engine40
Electrical system20
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2021 Acura TLX Type S recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

95%repaired · 2026 Q3

Electrical system: software

Recall 25V-031 · Jan 23, 2025 · 294,612 vehicles · 279,365 repaired

Risk. An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other TLX Type S year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the TLX Type S median. How we score

'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, and the recalls they led to.

  1. All wheel drive allegationDP26001 · closed Aug 4, 2026
    No recall
In owners' words

What TLX Type S owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

While accelerating from a stop, I heard a loud bang from the drivetrain area and initially believed another vehicle had struck the rear of my car. After checking my surroundings, I realized there had been no collision. Immediately after the incident, the vehicle lost power delivery to the rear…
Complaint 11741121 · May 31, 2026
The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system of the vehicle became partially inoperable after hearing a loud bang under normal vehicle acceleration some time in early 2025. The vehicle did not trigger or display any warnings stored in the onboard computer or on the dash display that the AWD system had any…
Complaint 11728955 · Apr 2, 2026
The transfer case in my Acura TLX Type S failed due to the internal splines stripping at approximately 57,600 miles. I heard a loud bang while attempting to maneuver out of a parking spot that was covered in snow. When this occurred, the transfer case was no longer able to transfer power to the…
Complaint 11722731 · Mar 7, 2026

Own a 2021 TLX Type S?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.