2021 Acura TLX TYPE S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
58,061 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 32 complaints (87.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 28 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Shaft:Output | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Power Train: 28; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Shaft:Output: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2024: 3; 2025: 23; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11615217 · 2024-09-18 (September 18, 2024)
I am reporting a critical safety issue with my 2021 Acura TLX (VIN: [XXX] ), specifically related to the transmission and transfer case. The problem is centered around the transmission’s spline splitting into the transfer case, which causes severe jerking while driving. The car moves forward erratically, jumping up and down, and on multiple occasions, the vehicle has shut off while driving at highway speeds. This is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to my life and others on the road. This issue is widely reported by other Acura …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11615217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624322 · 2024-11-09 (November 9, 2024)
I would like to report a serious safety issue with the 2021 Acura TLX Type s. Recently in April 2024, while driving, I heard a loud pop from the vehicle, and it turned out that the transfer case had burst into the transmission. This failure has rendered the rear-wheel drive non-functional, resulting in severe oversteer. This oversteer is especially dangerous because the vehicle is now operating as front-wheel drive, which creates an unpredictable and hazardous driving experience. This issue could lead to a catastrophic transmission failure, pa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11662805 · 2025-05-23 (May 23, 2025)
2021 Acura TLX Type S. Car has 53k miles on it. No modifications, bone stock. When accelerating from a stop at ~50% throttle, there was a sudden loud pop from the front of the car, followed by immediate loss of power to the back wheels (AWD car) . The vehicle was about to shift from first to second gear, so thankfully I was still only going about 10-15 mph at the time. Had i been traveling faster, turning, or if the roads were wet/slick, it could have caused an accident due to my loss of control of the car. There were no warning lights or in…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11662805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11665179 · 2025-06-05 (June 5, 2025)
• Transfer Case failure, leading to transmission damage. • Vehicle gives no indication of Transfer Case failure, in turn, giving the Driver the impression that the vehicle is AWD. Potential risk to safety as the failure happened under normal driving conditions, vehicle suddenly jolts, with loss of power. • Problem addressed by Dealership Service Dept. but not able to recreate, as this is a drivetrain fault. • Vehicle and components inspected by Dealership Service Dept. only. • No indications or warning lights for TC failure. AWD system on dashb…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11665179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638902 · 2025-01-27 (January 27, 2025)
The all-wheel-drive stops working and the car becomes front wheel drive only. There are no warning lights on. The only way you could tell is to jack the car up with all four wheels off the ground and put it in drive to see if all four wheels are spinning. Also the driveshaft should be turning out of the transfer case. The the roads are wet or with snow the front wheels brake free very easy and the traction light comes on, which is also sign. I took it to the dealer and they verified the issue. They said it needs a new transmission and transfe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638902 at NHTSA ↗