Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Lexus ES?

Based on our data, the Lexus ES is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura TLX or the Lexus ES?

The Acura TLX has more recalls (22) compared to the Lexus ES (15). 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 Lexus ES?

The Lexus ES has fewer owner complaints (95) versus 361 for the Acura TLX. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Is the Acura TLX or Lexus ES safer?

Both the Acura TLX and Lexus ES 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 Lexus ES: Reliability Compared

Acura TLX

Good

More Reliable

Lexus ES

Excellent

Choosing between the Acura TLX and the Lexus ES? 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 Lexus ES currently leads with an average score of 83/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura TLX and Lexus ES Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Acura TLX is in its second generation, which began in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024. Being relatively early in its generation cycle, the TLX may still experience some growing pains typically associated with newer platforms, although the 2024 facelift likely addressed initial issues. In contrast, the Lexus ES is currently in its seventh generation, which started in 2019 and saw a facelift in 2021. This generation of the ES, having been on the market for several years, is considered mature and likely benefits from the refinement and reliability improvements that come with a well-established platform.

Verdict

The Lexus ES is more reliable than the Acura TLX, scoring 83/100 vs 75/100.

The Lexus ES demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Acura TLX, with an average reliability score of 83/100 versus the TLX's 75/100. The ES benefits from fewer recalls over eight years (15 compared to the TLX's 22) and has fewer owner complaints, although specific sales data is unavailable for a direct per-10k-sold comparison. The Acura TLX faces more common issues in critical areas like the power train and engine, while the Lexus ES's issues are concentrated around air bags and fuel systems. Additionally, the TLX's independent repair cost estimates are available at $440 annually, which provides a slight edge in cost predictability.

Key Differences

1Lexus ES scores 8 points higher in reliability
2Lexus ES has 7 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Acura TLX

—

2Lexus ES

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsSafety Rating

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura TLX	Lexus ES
Reliability Score	75/100	83/100
Years Tracked	8	8
Total Recalls	22	15
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	361	95
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0 (1 tied)	7 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura TLX and Lexus ES?

The Acura TLX shows a higher number of complaints with 361 in total, primarily centered around the power train, engine, and electrical system, with the power train issues including one crash-linked incident. In contrast, the Lexus ES has significantly fewer complaints, totaling 95, though it has a notable concern with crash-linked incidents in the air bags and service brakes categories. While both vehicles have some complaints in the engine and electrical system categories, the TLX's issues appear more widespread across these and other components. The Lexus ES, although having fewer complaints overall, has a higher proportion of crash-linked incidents, particularly in safety-critical areas like air bags and service brakes.

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura TLX	Lexus ES
POWER TRAIN	79	3
ENGINE	49	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	46	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	30	—
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	20	6
SERVICE BRAKES	16	5
FUEL SYSTEM	16	3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	17	—
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	9	7
AIR BAGS	8	8
STEERING	14	—
SUSPENSION	11	—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	3	2
STRUCTURE	2	2
SEAT BELTS	2	—
LANE DEPARTURE	—	2
TIRES	—	2
WHEELS	—	2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura TLX or Lexus ES?

The Acura TLX has an annual repair cost of $440, with a repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year and a 6% risk of major repairs. While specific figures for the Lexus ES are unavailable, industry estimates often suggest that luxury brands like Lexus might incur higher maintenance costs but possibly lower repair frequencies due to their reliability reputation. Considering the available data, the Acura TLX offers a predictable maintenance budget, with relatively infrequent visits and a moderate risk of major repairs. For cost-conscious buyers, the TLX may be the better value, providing a clearer understanding of potential expenses and a balance between cost and reliability.

How Does Acura TLX vs Lexus ES Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura TLX	Lexus ES	Edge
2025	80/1001R / 3C	83/1001R / 4C	Lexus ES
2024	80/1001R / 4C	80/1004R / 9C	Tie
2023	79/1002R / 13C	80/1004R / 18C	Lexus ES
2022	75/1003R / 26C	88/1000R / 16C	Lexus ES
2021	71/1003R / 79C	88/1000R / 0C	Lexus ES
2020	71/1004R / 59C	83/1001R / 5C	Lexus ES
2019	69/1005R / 87C	78/1003R / 33C	Lexus ES
2018	71/1003R / 90C	80/1002R / 10C	Lexus ES

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura TLX scored 80/100 and the 2022 Lexus ES scored 88/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura TLX vs the Lexus ES?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the Lexus ES is a strong contender with a reliability score of 83 and only 15 recalls. This model has a lower number of owner complaints, totaling 95, which suggests a more consistent performance. Although specific repair costs and frequencies are not available, the overall higher reliability score indicates fewer unexpected issues. Choose the Lexus ES if peace of mind and a history of fewer significant issues are your top priorities. On the other hand, if you are looking for a model with lower estimated annual repair costs, the Acura TLX might be more suitable. With repair costs estimated at $440 annually and a relatively low repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, the Acura TLX could be appealing if budget-conscious maintenance is crucial. However, be mindful of its higher number of recalls (22) and a major repair risk of 6%, which could indicate potential future expenses.

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES: Common Questions

Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Lexus ES?: Based on our data, the Lexus ES is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura TLX or the Lexus ES?: The Acura TLX has more recalls (22) compared to the Lexus ES (15). 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 Lexus ES?: The Lexus ES has fewer owner complaints (95) versus 361 for the Acura TLX. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Is the Acura TLX or Lexus ES safer?: Both the Acura TLX and Lexus ES 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 Lexus ES comparisons

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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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