Last updated: 2026-04-20

2025 Acura TLX
RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2025 Acura TLX Reliability Report

The 2025 Acura TLX scores 80/100 ("Excellent"), but its complaint rate of 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold runs above the 2025 Sedan segment average of 1.9.

Recalls

1

Complaints

3

Complaint Rate

3.7per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$440

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$3,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs90/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity73/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Top Issues to Watch

  • STEERING (1)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
  • ENGINE (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2025 is 1 year after the facelift refresh.

  • Year 5 in the Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7) (2021–present).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 2nd generation TLX (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2021: Second generation (UB5/UB6/UB7) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2025: This Model Year

2025 is 1 year after the facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2025 Acura TLX?

The 2025 Acura TLX earns an Excellent 80/100 reliability score. 2025 is 1 year after the facelift refresh.

However, its complaint rate of 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold runs above the Sedan segment average of 1.9, driven largely by steering (1) reports.

If buying used, confirm recall repairs are complete and inspect steering (1) carefully on the test drive.

See also the 2024 Acura TLX for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Strong reliability score
  • +$299 cheaper to maintain than avg luxury midsize cars
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (6%)
  • +Low recall count

Cons

  • Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
  • STEERING (1)

Compare 2025 Acura TLX With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

MODERATE
  • STEERING (1)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

The 2025 Acura TLX carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

3.7

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 1.9

LowAvgHigh
Low

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.

2025 Acura TLX Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2025 Acura TLX. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V3910002025-06-12

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2025 Acura TLX? Check its history first

Every 2025 Acura TLX has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2025 Acura TLX NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Info Not Available)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Acura TLXRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5

Based 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

TLX
$440
Category Avg
$739
All Vehicles
$652

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 / 25–31 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 2025 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
TLX FWD 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)223125$2,750
TLX AWD A-SPEC 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)212924$2,900
TLX Type-S 3.0L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)192521$3,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2025 Acura TLX.

  • Check digital instrument cluster for blackouts during startup

  • Test power steering functionality after ignition

  • Inspect infotainment screen for darkening issues

  • Verify engine performance in humid conditions for misfire or acceleration loss

  • Ensure vehicle shuts off properly without remaining in accessory mode

  • Check for any active recalls or service bulletins related to engine or electrical issues

2025 Acura TLX Common Problems by Component

3 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

1
1
1
STEERING (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)ENGINE (1)

STEERING

1 complaint
2026-01-22

Description of Safety Defect: While starting car up, the digital instrument cluster (speedometer and all primary driver instrumentation) goes completely black with no warning. The infotainment system continues to operate normally. After driving a short distance (sometimes only a few miles), the vehicle then experiences a complete loss of power steering, making the car extremely difficult or impossible to control. This creates an immediate risk of a crash, especially at speed or during turning. In multiple instances, after this failure occurs, the vehicle also becomes difficult to shut off, remaining in accessory or powered states despite attempts to turn the vehicle off. This defect involves simultaneous failure of: •Driver instrumentation display •Electric power steering assistance •Normal ignition shutdown behavior The loss of steering assist results in a sudden and unexpected loss of vehicle control. This appears to be an electronic or control-module failure affecting multiple safety-critical systems. Safety Impact: This defect poses a serious risk of crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of steering assistance and lack of speed/vehicle status information while driving. Frequency: Has occurred twice - each time requiring roadside assistance to get the car to the dealer Warning Lights or Messages: None - just complete loss of instrumentation cluster Dealer Response (if applicable): Dealer initially claimed it had fixed, but it occurred again within 24 hours of retrieving from dealer. Dealer has now had car go over a week claiming that it needs to generate the fault state more than once before it will make any warranty repairs

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint
2025-07-28

We have three Acura vehicles at home and this is the newest one - 2025 TLX A-Spec. The vehicle is only a few months old and already suffered two INFORTAINMENT Screen failures. This is the primary screen on the dash that shows navigation and other information. The screen goes dark completely due to either an electronics/hardware issue or a software issue. This could be a safety issue if the driver is driving using the map app at a busy intersection, and the screen stops working. Once it is out of order, the only way to fix it is taking it back to dealer and do a battery level re-set. Not acceptable! Please investigate and start a recall if needed. Thanks so much for your time.

ENGINE

1 complaint
2025-05-24

While driving in humid, rainy conditions for over five hours, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration. Moisture appears to have built up, resulting in a misfire and a flashing MIL/Check Engine light. This occurred while I was overtaking another vehicle just before entering a restricted-width construction zone, making the situation extremely hazardous. The complete loss of acceleration lasted for about a minute. Afterward, I was only able to maintain minimal speed by flooring the accelerator. I continued in this limited-power mode until I could safely exit the highway. After shutting off the vehicle for 10 minutes, I restarted it, and it operated normally. After researching this issue, I found active recalls and service bulletins describing this exact behavior, including: NHTSA Recall Number: 25V-031 Acura Campaign Number: EL1 Service Bulletin Number: 25-010 Additionally, an earlier bulletin describes identical symptoms: Service Bulletin Number: 20-053 (Version 4, dated March 12, 2024) Despite these matches, my VIN does not show any active recalls or bulletins. When I brought the car into the dealership to address this issue under the bulletin, they informed me they could not perform any service since my VIN was not listed. Given the severity of what occurred, I am requesting urgent assistance in updating or reviewing the recall eligibility for my vehicle. I would like to prevent this issue from recurring, especially in dangerous conditions. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your prompt response.

Best & Worst Acura TLX Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Acura TLX Years to Buy

The best Acura TLX year is 2025 with a reliability score of 80/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (80/100) and 2023 (79/100).

Top Pick
80
Excellent

2025

(Current Model)

1Recalls
3Complaints
80
Excellent

2024

1Recalls
4Complaints
79
Good

2023

2Recalls
13Complaints

Acura TLX Years to Avoid

The worst Acura TLX year is 2019 with a score of 69/100, primarily due to engine (20) issues.

Acura TLX Reliability Score Trend

Acura TLX reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 79/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Acura TLX reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201871/100Good
201969/100Good
202071/100Good
202171/100Good
202275/100Good
202379/100Good
202480/100Excellent
202580/100Excellent

Acura TLX Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2025(selected)80/1000Excellent13
202480/100+1Excellent14
202379/100+4Good213
202275/100+4Good326
202171/1000Good379
202071/100+2Good459
201969/100-2Good587
201871/100Good390

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2025 Acura TLX reliable?
The 2025 Acura TLX scores 80/100 ("Excellent"), which is strong. However, its complaint rate is above the Sedan segment average (notably steering). The high score reflects good build quality, but shoppers should investigate the complaint patterns before buying.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Acura TLX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 Acura TLX include: STEERING (1 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), ENGINE (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2025 Acura TLX have?
The 2025 Acura TLX has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2025 Acura TLX expensive to maintain?
The 2025 Acura TLX has estimated annual costs of $440/year, which is $299 less than the luxury midsize cars average of $739. Its reliability score of 80/100 is strong, but its complaint rate is above the segment average (notably steering). Pay extra attention to commonly reported areas during inspection and test drive.

Don’t buy a 2025 Acura TLX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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