2021 Acura TLX TYPE S: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11619288 · 2024-10-11 (October 11, 2024)
Transfer case splines sheared, causing the awd system to fail. This eliminates power output to the rear wheels and could cause a loss of control while driving in sub par road conditions. This appears to be a very common issue among the Type-S trim.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11619288 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 11634618 · 2025-01-07 (January 7, 2025)
My car is now a front wheel drive car instead of all wheel drive car … no check engine no light nothing except the car is bringing no more power from the back wheels
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11634979 · 2025-01-08 (January 8, 2025)
The All Wheel Drive system stopped working due to a transfer case/transmission failure. The repair was warrantied by the dealership however everything that i have read states this is a common issue and acura has not provided a permanent fix to prevent this from happening in the future
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636677 · 2025-01-18 (January 18, 2025)
transfer case and drivetrain failure from spline stripping. No hard driving performed yet parts still failed. Car went from AWD to FWD without codes. Car failed to gain traction when going up hill and nearly rolled back into another car.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,061 miles reported. Look up ODI 11636677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11637484 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)
Transfer case failure with no warnings or symptoms of problem prior to failure. This is a safety issue as my car was only operating In Front wheel drive due to the transfer case failure. This is a common issue that needs to be investigated.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638577 · 2025-01-26 (January 26, 2025)
All wheel drive system began to fail. Experienced a loud bang followed by a leak from the transfer case that was observed when I arrived home. No check engine lights of any kind just car is stuck in front wheel drive. Dealer confirmed AWD system is not working. No safety risk and no insurance notifications or police because item is covered under warranty.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638577 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V031000 · Electrical System:Software | Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 2025-01-23 (January 23, 2025)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Consequence: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
NHTSA campaign record ↗