2020 Acura TLX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
66,495 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 62 complaints (30.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 19.4% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 14.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 4 |
Engine: 19; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12; Electrical System: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Power Train: 7; Unknown Or Other: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 25; 2025: 15; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 11425098 · 2021-07-16 (July 16, 2021)
After approx. 15,000 miles on the odometer applying the brakes at highway speed to slow the car down the steering wheel shakes, went to the dealership they said the front brake rotors are warped. Also when traveling at highway speed around 70 mph with strong wind the hood of the car shakes as if it is not latched, stopped vehicle and checked that the hood is properly latched and it was, I am concerned that one time the hood will come unlatched as I am driving. Dealer said that was a normal like other Acura TLX of the same year.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479316 · 2022-08-15 (August 15, 2022)
After coming to a stop at a red light, the vehicle engine turned off as designed with auto start stop. When the light turned green, the vehicle temporarily restarted when I released the brake pedal, but immediately stalled and would not restart. This is a major safety concern as I was on a four lane road with traffic all around and I was unable to move. I had place the vehicle into park, turn off the ignition fully, and attempt to restart the car. It eventually restarted, but it took nearly 90 seconds. This is a danger to myself, and to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582515 · 2024-04-12 (April 12, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Upon depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11582515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431300 · 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)
Vehicle will suddenly shift into neutral while driving and won’t shift into drive until the vehicle is turned off and restarted
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11691114 · 2025-10-02 (October 2, 2025)
Multiple dash lights including "brake system failure, collision mitigation system problem, adaptive cruise control problem, road departure mitigation system problem, etc." RPMs effected, car does not shift into third gear. Safety of myself and others were at risk because the vehicle stalled then would not go over 20mph. Had this been a busy highway, lack of warning could cause a major collision. The vehicle was recently inspected and passed by Criswell Honda, Gaithersburg and purchased by me today. No dash lights were displayed. I drove less th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11691114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486379 · 2022-09-26 (September 26, 2022)
While traveling on highway, parking brake intermittently activated several times and parking brake malfunction alarm flashed on dashboard. This caused the vehicle to brake unexpectedly while driving through a construction zone on highway 45. Fortunately, we were very close to the Acura dealership where the vehicle was purchased and managed to drive the vehicle to the service department. The Parking brake alarm continued to display on dashboard even after turning off the vehicle and starting it again. The emissions alarm also flashed intermit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11570732 · 2024-02-08 (February 8, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that previously the vehicle had an electrical failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an electrical failure and the electrical system was replaced. However, the electrical system failure had reoc…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11570732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11696785 · 2025-10-31 (October 31, 2025)
Was driving on the highway at posted 65 and 70-mph when car suddenly went into 'limp mode' to under 50mph and I was forced to exit the highway after nearly being rear-ended. Dash error indicated 'Precision All wheel steering had malfunctioned'. Took the car to Crown Acura in Cleveland where I was told that it would be $9210 to replace two rear wheel steering actuators or $2800 if they used salvage parts. This was a known issue with the 2015-2020 Acura TLX cars and there are numerous reports online in TLX and Acura forums. Had a semi truck been …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11696785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593828 · 2024-06-12 (June 12, 2024)
My engine has stopped and stalled in the middle of traffic on multiple occasions. The issue is related to the fuel pump recall. Acura states that the parts for the recalls are available, yet when you contact an Acura dealership, none of them have the parts! I DONT WANT TO DIE IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE ACURA IS STEALING OUR MONEY WHILE WE HAVE TO DRIVE FAULTY VEHICLES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11593828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11597481 · 2024-06-28 (June 28, 2024)
The contact's husband owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated while her husband was driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud revving sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the LKAS and other unknown safety features were inoperable while driving. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determi…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11597481 at NHTSA ↗