Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Acura TLX Reliability Report
The 2023 Acura TLX has good reliability and low repair costs, but its SH-AWD transfer case can fail and leave the car in front-wheel drive.
Recalls
2
Complaints
13
Complaint Rate
7.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$440
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,750–$3,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good reliability and low repair costs, held back by SH-AWD transfer case failures and two recalls covering the brakes and the fuel system.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (4)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- SERVICE BRAKES (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is year 3 of the Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7).
- Redesigned for the 2021 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2024.
- 2nd generation TLX (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2021: Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is year 3 of the Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7).
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2023 Acura TLX?
Reliability is good for this year. Among 2023 sedans it sits well above average, and it ranks among the stronger of the eight TLX years we score. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep at $440, against $739 for the class. It also earns a 5-star federal crash-test rating. The 2022 rates worse, with more complaints and recalls. The 2024 rates higher, though it has had less time to collect complaints.
The main complaint is the SH-AWD transfer case. Owners report fluid seeping from a seal or gasket and pooling on the underbody panels, with no warning light. The car then drops to front-wheel drive, so grip is weaker in turns and in winter. One leak showed up by about 35,846 miles. Other reports describe warped brake rotors at 30K miles, a sticky brake pedal, and a sudden total loss of power. Federal recall records list 2 recalls, covering the hydraulic service brakes and the gasoline fuel system.
Ask the seller for proof that both recalls were completed. Look under the car for fluid near the transfer case, and ask for any drivetrain or brake repair records.
Compared to the 2024 Acura TLX, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2022 Acura TLX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$299 cheaper to maintain than avg luxury midsize cars
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (6%)
Cons
- −POWER TRAIN: SH-AWD transfer case fails and the car drops to front-wheel drive only (4 complaints)
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: These reports cover three separate problems (3 complaints)
Compare 2023 Acura TLX With
2023 Audi A4
Reliability: 77/100
2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Reliability: 53/100
2023 BMW 3 Series
Reliability: 70/100
2023 Volvo S60
Reliability: 70/100
2023 Lexus IS
Reliability: 83/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (4)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2023 Acura TLX carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 14.4
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Acura TLX Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Acura TLX. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
Buying a used 2023 Acura TLX? Check its history first
Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Acura TLX, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Acura TLX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.0%
Safety Technologies
Acura TLXRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$440
vs $739 avg for luxury midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
6%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
21–25 MPG
Running cost: $3,200–$3,750/yr
Fuel + repair
19–22 city / 24–31 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLX FWD 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,750 |
| TLX FWD A-SPEC 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,750 |
| TLX AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,900 |
| TLX AWD A-SPEC 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,900 |
| TLX Type-S 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,300 |
| TLX Type-S Perf Tire 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,300 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Acura TLX.
Put the car on a lift and check the transfer case seal and gasket for fluid seepage or residue on underbody panels.
Have a shop spin all four wheels on a lift to confirm the rear wheels are driven.
Ask for service records showing any transfer case replacement or AWD repair.
Pair your phone and test AcuraLink; confirm the telematics unit and its bracket are installed behind the dash.
Make several idle-stop stops in traffic and watch for a sudden shift to Park or total power loss.
Drive a straight highway stretch and check that the car holds its lane without wandering.
Inspect all four brake rotors for warping and listen for noise with a sticky or uneven pedal.
Lock the car, open a door, and confirm the alarm sounds and tracking shows the car's location.
2023 Acura TLX Common Problems by Component
13 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsThe SH-AWD transfer case fails and the car drops to front-wheel drive only. Reports describe fluid seeping from a transfer case seal or gasket and pooling on the underbody panels, with no warning light. Drivers notice weaker grip in turns and in winter, and some feel jerking in low gear. Dealers confirm the fault by spinning the wheels on a lift and replace the transfer case, though at least one dealer found nothing wrong. A leak appears by about 35,846 miles. Losing rear drive raises loss-of-control concerns on slippery roads.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsThese reports cover three separate problems. Theft is the most serious: cars are driven away with no alarm, AcuraLink tracking shuts off, and keys kept in a Faraday box offer no protection. On a used car bought through a reseller, the telematics control unit and its bracket turn up missing and the harness connector is broken, so the phone will not connect. One complaint describes steering that wanders between lane lines and gets worse in the rain, which makes the car hard to keep in its lane.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsThe car can lose all power with no warning. In the reported case, the car pulls away after an idle-stop, shifts itself from Drive into Park, the controls blink, and the car shuts down. The hazard lights stop working and the car cannot be shifted to neutral, which leaves it stranded in traffic. Other reports say the anti-theft and tracking features fail, and that thieves can clone the car's computer and drive off without keys in under 3 minutes.
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsBrake rotors warp, with all four reported bent at 30K miles. A separate report describes a loud noise along with a sticky, inconsistent brake pedal that makes braking feel uncertain. In that case, dealers and the automaker inspected the car and called the brakes normal, so no repair was done. With only 2 complaints on file, no clear mileage pattern shows up. Even so, an unpredictable pedal is a real safety concern.
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintIf you don't turn the car off and you drop a passenger off from the front seat the seatbelt not fastened alarm will go off until you fasten it or turn the car off then restart the car to clear the alarm taking it to the dealership.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintPlease see attached document, as my whole description would not fit in the box.
Best & Worst Acura TLX Years
Best Acura TLX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2023
(Current Model)
2022
Acura TLX Years to Avoid
Acura TLX Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 80/100 | Excellent |
Acura TLX Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Acura TLX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Acura TLX?
Does the 2023 Acura TLX have transfer case problems?
Has the 2023 Acura TLX been recalled?
How much does the 2023 Acura TLX cost to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2023 Acura TLX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Acura TLX
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Acura TLX does best on repair costs (90/100) and worst on complaint severity (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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