Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Audi A4?

Based on our data, the Acura TLX is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?

The Acura TLX has more recalls (22) compared to the Audi A4 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi A4 has a lower complaint rate at 2.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 12.6 for the Acura TLX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura TLX is cheaper to maintain at $440/year versus $739/year for the Audi A4.

Is the Acura TLX or Audi A4 safer?

Both the Acura TLX and Audi A4 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Acura TLX vs Audi A4: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura TLX

Good

Audi A4

Good

Choosing between the Acura TLX and the Audi A4? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Acura TLX currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura TLX and Audi A4 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Audi A4 is in its sixth generation, having undergone a significant redesign in 2023. Previously, the fifth generation (B9) spanned from 2016 to 2023, with a notable facelift in 2020. With the A4 being in the early stages of its sixth generation, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes face initial reliability challenges as manufacturers address early production issues. The Acura TLX, meanwhile, is in the latter part of its second generation, introduced in 2021 and refreshed in 2024. This mature platform suggests that many initial issues have likely been resolved, offering a well-sorted option for buyers prioritizing reliability.

Verdict

The Acura TLX is more reliable than the Audi A4, scoring 75/100 vs 73/100.

The Acura TLX slightly edges out the Audi A4 in reliability with an average score of 75 compared to the A4's 73. Despite having more recalls over eight years, the TLX benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $440, significantly less than the A4's $739. However, the TLX has a higher owner complaints rate of 12.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to the A4's 2.8 per 10,000. Overall, the TLX offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience, but potential buyers should consider the higher complaint rate alongside the lower repair costs.

Key Differences

1Acura TLX costs $299 less per year to repair
2Audi A4 has 9.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Acura TLX has 7% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

4Acura TLX

—

2Audi A4

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Acura TLX vs Audi A4: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura TLX vs Audi A4 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura TLX	Audi A4
Reliability Score	75/100	73/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	22	16
Complaints per 10k Sold	12.6	2.8
Annual Repair Cost	$440/yr	$739/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	6%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3 (2 tied)	1 (2 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura TLX and Audi A4?

The Audi A4's problem profile is heavily dominated by electrical system issues, accounting for 121 complaints, including 2 crash-linked incidents, which suggests a significant area of concern. In contrast, the Acura TLX exhibits a broader range of issues, with the power train being the most problematic at 79 complaints, followed by engine-related concerns at 49 complaints, including 2 crash-linked cases. While both models have crash-linked complaints in their respective categories, the Acura TLX also shows a notable number of complaints related to its forward collision avoidance and service brakes systems, indicating potential safety implications. On the other hand, the Audi A4's issues are more concentrated, with fewer categories affected but a higher severity in the electrical system domain.

Acura TLX vs Audi A4 common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura TLX	Audi A4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.6Low	1.9Low
POWER TRAIN	2.7Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	1.7Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.5Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.4Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura TLX or Audi A4?

The Audi A4 incurs an annual maintenance and repair cost of $739, with an average of 0.4 visits per year and a 13% risk of requiring major repairs. In contrast, the Acura TLX costs $440 annually, demands only 0.2 visits each year, and has a lower 6% major repair risk. Over five years, the A4 costs $1,495 more than the TLX, which translates to a significant difference for budget-conscious owners. With less frequent repairs and reduced risk of major issues, the Acura TLX offers better value and reliability for those prioritizing cost efficiency in vehicle ownership.

How Does Acura TLX vs Audi A4 Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura TLX vs Audi A4 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura TLX	Audi A4	Edge
2025	80/1001R / 3C	81/1000R / 0C	Audi A4
2023	79/1002R / 13C	77/1000R / 8C	Acura TLX
2022	75/1003R / 26C	72/1004R / 3C	Acura TLX
2021	71/1003R / 79C	71/1005R / 12C	Tie
2020	71/1004R / 59C	65/1003R / 122C	Acura TLX
2018	71/1003R / 90C	71/1004R / 35C	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura TLX scored 80/100 and the 2025 Audi A4 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura TLX vs the Audi A4?

If you prioritize low running costs and a lower risk of major repairs, the Acura TLX might be your best choice. With an estimated annual repair cost of $440 and a major repair risk of just 6%, the TLX offers more peace of mind for budget-conscious drivers. Despite having 22 total recalls and a higher rate of owner complaints at 12.6 per 10,000 sold, its lower repair frequency of 0.2 per year makes it a practical option for those looking to minimize hassles. On the other hand, if you prefer a model with fewer owner complaints and value a slightly higher reliability score, consider the Audi A4. It has fewer owner complaints at 2.8 per 10,000 sold and a slightly lower number of recalls at 16. Though its estimated annual repair cost is higher at $739, the A4's balance of reliability and performance can appeal to those who prioritize a well-rounded driving experience.

Acura TLX vs Audi A4: Common Questions

Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Audi A4?: Based on our data, the Acura TLX is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?: The Acura TLX has more recalls (22) compared to the Audi A4 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi A4 has a lower complaint rate at 2.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 12.6 for the Acura TLX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura TLX or the Audi A4?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura TLX is cheaper to maintain at $440/year versus $739/year for the Audi A4.
Is the Acura TLX or Audi A4 safer?: Both the Acura TLX and Audi A4 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura TLX comparisons

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More Audi A4 comparisons

Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability Audi A4 vs Volvo S60 reliability Audi A4 vs BMW 4-Series reliability Audi A4 reliability by year Audi A4 years to avoid

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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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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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