Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Lexus ES?

No. The Lexus ES has the clear edge, with an excellent standing against good for the TLX. The TLX has a pattern of connecting rod bearing failure that can seize the engine. ES owners file fewer complaints, though ES stalling and braking reports are serious.

Which has more recalls, the TLX or the ES?

The TLX has more. Federal recall records show 22 recalls across model years 2018 to 2025 for the Acura, against 15 for the Lexus over the same span. Check any specific car's VIN for open recall work before buying.

What is the biggest problem with the Acura TLX?

Connecting rod bearing failure. Owners describe ticking or knocking that gets louder until the engine seizes, loses power, or stalls at highway speed. Dealers often replace the whole engine, and some owners waited on backordered recall parts. One out-of-warranty repair was quoted at $20k.

What goes wrong with the Lexus ES?

Stalling and weak throttle response lead the list, mostly tied to a low-pressure fuel pump. Owners also report automatic emergency braking that fires on its own and air bags that did not deploy in crashes. Some owners waited months for a fuel pump remedy.

Which Acura TLX and Lexus ES years should I avoid?

Avoid the 2019 and 2021 TLX, and the 2018 and 2019 ES, since those are the weakest years for each. The ES did best in 2021 and 2022. TLX 2024 and 2025 rate well but are too new to judge fairly.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES: Reliability Compared

Acura TLX

Good

More Reliable

Lexus ES

Excellent

Reliability favors the Lexus ES over the Acura TLX by a clear margin. The deciding fact is engine failure. TLX owners report connecting rod bearing failures that can seize the engine, while ES complaints are fewer and mostly about fuel pump stalling and braking.

How Do the Acura TLX and Lexus ES Generations Compare?

Two TLX generations fall inside the 2018 to 2025 range. The first ran from 2015 to 2020 and received a facelift in 2018, so 2018 to 2020 cars are first generation. The second began in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024. The weakest TLX years, 2019 and 2021, are the last-but-one first-generation year and the first second-generation year. For the ES, a sixth generation ran from 2013 to 2023 with a facelift in 2016. A seventh generation overlapped it from 2019 to 2023, with a facelift in 2021. The ES weakest years, 2018 and 2019, sit at the start of that overlap.

Verdict

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

Reliability favors the Lexus ES by a clear margin. Its standing is excellent, while the Acura TLX rates good. The deciding gap is engine trouble. TLX owners report connecting rod bearing failure that can end in a seized engine, and one out-of-warranty repair was quoted at $20k. ES complaints are fewer and center on stalling from a low-pressure fuel pump and on braking systems. The TLX is still a sound choice with low yearly repair costs, but its worst failure is more severe.

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?

Connecting rod failure dominates the TLX complaints. Owners hear ticking or knocking that grows louder until the engine seizes or stalls at highway speed, and dealers often replace the whole engine. Idle stop that fails to restart the engine at lights adds more stalls. The ES problems are scattered. Its owners report stalling and weak throttle response tied to a fuel pump, plus automatic braking that fires on its own. Only the ES lists air bag complaints, with five crash-linked reports of bags not deploying. Both models have crash-linked brake complaints.

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
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	27	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	30	—
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	15	7
SERVICE BRAKES	16	5
FUEL SYSTEM	16	3
AIR BAGS	8	8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	15	—
STEERING	14	—
SUSPENSION	9	—
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.

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 2024 Acura TLX scored 80/100 and the 2022 Lexus ES scored 88/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Acura TLX vs the Lexus ES?

Pick the Lexus ES if you want the lowest risk of a major failure. Its owner complaints are few, and the best-standing years are 2021 and 2022. Avoid 2018 and 2019, its weakest years. Before you buy, ask whether the fuel pump recall work was done, since owners described long waits for that remedy. Pick the Acura TLX if low running costs matter most and you can accept a known engine risk. Its estimated repair cost is low and shop visits are rare. Avoid 2019 and 2021, its weakest years. Check for completed connecting rod recall work and ask for service records on any car with a ticking or knocking engine. Owners reported dealers with parts on backorder and long waits. The 2024 and 2025 cars look strongest, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so do not treat that as proof they are better.

Acura TLX vs Lexus ES: Common Questions

Is the Acura TLX more reliable than the Lexus ES?: No. The Lexus ES has the clear edge, with an excellent standing against good for the TLX. The TLX has a pattern of connecting rod bearing failure that can seize the engine. ES owners file fewer complaints, though ES stalling and braking reports are serious.
Which has more recalls, the TLX or the ES?: The TLX has more. Federal recall records show 22 recalls across model years 2018 to 2025 for the Acura, against 15 for the Lexus over the same span. Check any specific car's VIN for open recall work before buying.
What is the biggest problem with the Acura TLX?: Connecting rod bearing failure. Owners describe ticking or knocking that gets louder until the engine seizes, loses power, or stalls at highway speed. Dealers often replace the whole engine, and some owners waited on backordered recall parts. One out-of-warranty repair was quoted at $20k.
What goes wrong with the Lexus ES?: Stalling and weak throttle response lead the list, mostly tied to a low-pressure fuel pump. Owners also report automatic emergency braking that fires on its own and air bags that did not deploy in crashes. Some owners waited months for a fuel pump remedy.
Which Acura TLX and Lexus ES years should I avoid?: Avoid the 2019 and 2021 TLX, and the 2018 and 2019 ES, since those are the weakest years for each. The ES did best in 2021 and 2022. TLX 2024 and 2025 rate well but are too new to judge fairly.

More Acura TLX comparisons

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More Lexus ES comparisons

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How we score the Acura TLX and Lexus ES

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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