2021 Acura TLX recalls and problems

The 2021 Acura TLX has 5 safety recalls and 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
75
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Acura TLX vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Acura TLX recalls

Recall 26V-721: Steering

Reported Oct 29, 2026 · 635,808 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2022-2024 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The software for the electric power steering (EPS) assist may cause the EPS system to enter a failsafe mode, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the EPS control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 14, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's numbers for this recall are KQB and TQA. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 11, 2026.

Recall 26V-332: Air Bags

Reported May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Recall 25V-391: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jun 12, 2025 · 259,033 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.

Recall 24V-950: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 19, 2024 · 167 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.

Recall 24V-064: Air Bags

Reported Feb 1, 2024 · 750,114 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

2021 Acura TLX problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train30
Forward Collision Avoidance11
Electrical System10
Service Brakes10
Unknown or Other10
Air Bags8
Suspension8
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Engine6
Lane Departure3
Steering3
Exterior Lighting1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 4
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 4
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
  • Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 1
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 32,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Acura TLX complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Suspension · reported Nov 6, 2026
While driving over a bump in the roadway, there was a squeaky metallic sound coming from the front passenger’s side suspension. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and advised the to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed and the dealer was unsure what the issue was, and advised to wait until it worsens. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Power Train · reported Nov 6, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a transmission failure involving my 2021 Acura TLX, which I believe presents a significant motor vehicle safety defect. The transmission experienced a premature and unexpected failure that resulted in a substantial reduction in vehicle performance, including a loss of power delivered to the rear wheels and a corresponding reduction in vehicle directional control. At the time of the failure, the vehicle's handling characteristics changed unexpectedly, creating a potentially hazardous operating condition. The loss of rear-wheel power adversely affected…
Engine · reported Oct 30, 2026
My car shakes and rocks like a boat over every bump and when i make turns the car dips really bad and bounces around. It’s been doing this since i got the car and purchase a warranty i could not use from sports Mazda. Its unsafe at high speeds and jerks when switching lanes. I continuously do the alignment every 2-4 weeks. And the toe gets adjusted and it goes right back to the issue. Acura told me this is how their cars drive and it feels unsafe to drive
Electrical System · reported Oct 20, 2026
On October 4, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, the 2021 Acura TLX suffered a catastrophic and sequential collapse of its primary safety and electronic control systems while in motion. Without warning, the vehicle's dashboard suddenly illuminated with a cascade of severe system malfunctions, beginning with a critical "Brake System Problem" warning, immediately followed by a "Power Steering System Problem," which caused the steering wheel to become dangerously heavy and difficult to maneuver. Simultaneously, a string of secondary critical alerts flashed across the information display, including a…
Power Train · reported Oct 18, 2026
Vehicle losing traction while driving. Confirmed by [xxx]'s acura in [xxx]. Confirmed: transfer case with bad transmission. Vehicle now inoperable. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (Foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(B)(6)

Other Acura TLX years

Compare all Acura TLX years · All Acura models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Acura TLX have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Acura TLX: 26V-721 (steering), 26V-332 (air bags), 25V-391 (service brakes, hydraulic), 24V-950 (fuel system, gasoline), 24V-064 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Acura TLX?

Owners report power train problems most often (30 reports), followed by forward collision avoidance (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 32,000 miles.

Are Acura recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Acura dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.