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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Acura TLX2015–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🏅 LUXURY
Acura TLX
2015–2026
B−
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.6/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Elevated
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×2
Engineering Analysis: engine and engine cooling
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
18
Recalls
0
Complaints
2020
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2019
12
Years Analyzed
18
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Acura TLX

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK6yr old
2020
Good Buy · 74/100
Reliability68/100
Value window85/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK8yr old
2018
Good Buy · 70/100
Reliability68/100
Value window75/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK9yr old
2017
Good Buy · 68/100
Reliability68/100
Value window68/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Acura TLX Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2019

4 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2022

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2021

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the TLX became recall.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Mar 2025NHTSA #EA25004
no restart after auto start/stop engages
Component: engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor · affects 2015–2025
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Aug 2025NHTSA #PE25008
engine failure
Component: engine · affects 2018–2020
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
Recently concluded investigations
DP26001 · power train · closed Aug 2026Closed, no recall
RQ24013 · engine · closed Aug 2025Closed, no recall
EA19001 · air bags · closed Sep 2024→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Acura TLX — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
73
38
61
Excellent
202510——
68
53
63
Good
202410——
68
66
67
Good
202320——
53
76
61
Caution
202230——
48
83
60
Avoid
202120——
53
86
65
Caution
202010——
68
85
74
Good
201940——
48
81
60
Avoid
201810——
68
75
70
Good
201710——
68
68
68
Good
201610——
68
61
66
Good
201510——
68
54
63
Good

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the TLX compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 74).

Best: 2020
2020 · 742018 · 702024 · 672021 · 652025 · 632023 · 612026 · 612019 · 602022 · 60

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 68).

Best: 2017
2017 · 682016 · 662015 · 63

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year TLX to buy?+

The 2020 Acura TLX scores highest on our Buyer Score (74/100) — combining a reliability score of 68/100 with a value score of 85/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which TLX years have the most problems?+

The 2019, 2022, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2019 TLX leads with 4 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common TLX problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Acura TLX.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar luxury vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every TLX year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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