2020 Acura Tlx Safety Report
2020 Acura TLX Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Acura Tlx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Acura Tlx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (59) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Acura Tlx with 13 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Acura Tlx before buying across this generation. |
Acura Tlx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Acura Tlx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Acura Tlx | 77 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Acura Tlx | 87 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Acura Tlx | 23 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Acura Tlx | 90 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Acura Tlx | 13 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Acura Tlx | 61 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Acura Tlx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Acura Tlx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Acura onlyFuel System, Gasoline
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyPower Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Acura onlyEngine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Acura onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Acura Tlx
Reliability Score
The 2020 Acura Tlx receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Acura Tlx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Acura Tlx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Acura Tlx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, including hard parts internal/mechanical failures. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline Fuel system delivery and fuel pump issues have been reported, leading to recalls. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission harsh and delayed gear engagement issues have been reported, sometimes requiring manual shifting. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System, Engine Random engine shutdowns and electrical system problems have been reported. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Acura Tlx:
Transmission issues and harsh shifting have been reported.
Engine knock and other engine issues have been reported.
Forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems have failed.
Random engine shutdowns and electrical system problems have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Acura Tlx
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Acura Tlx by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed ...
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Acura Tlx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Acura Tlx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Transmission harsh and delayed gear engagement, sometimes it won’t shift unless it’s done manually, few times it didn’t shift even though I shifted manually, I had to increase engine speed to about 5000 RPM so it shifts, transmission goes into neutral when trying to to accelerate while it’s in drive and intermittent vibration caused by hydraulic circuit pressure issues, I’ve had the vehicle since ...
PE 25008 The engine knock started on 12/22/25. Motorcars Acura recommended get a case number & have the 2020 TLX towed in for a diagnostic. Online case # XXX Towed to Motorcars on 12/23/25. Talked to Michelle with customer relations & she was going to call Motorcars for info. Motorcars, without my permission, pulled the oil pan & inspected the bearings. #6 rod bearing failed. On 1/15/26, Michell...
The front camera that operates the cruise control, lane assist, automatic braking, automatic high beam has stopped working. After further research it seems to be a popular problem with this car in a short amount of time. This car is a 2020 with 61,000 miles. The camera costs approximately $2000 to fix and should have a longer life span.
Recall performed on 2020 Acura TLX 3.5 for rod bearing recall. Crankshaft and bearings were replaced. 24000 miles later, the engine spun a bearing again with all the new internals. All maintenance records were supplied when the car was brought in. Acura is wanting me to pay 40% of the cost for a short block.
49,622 mark on my 2020 Acura tlx AWD… auto stop was enabled, car was at stoplight, engine attempted to re-engage but did not and car went into “neutral”… and the lights stayed on. I immediately turned on blinkers to avoid crash and and attempted to re start car, I shifted into Park, shut down car and re-started it successfully. I am seeking repair or disablement of the auto stop system, this is a...
On or about October 21–22, 2025, I brought my 2020 Acura TLX (brown, 99,000 miles, VIN [XXX] ) to Goodson Acura of Dallas for a recall repair related to engine concerns. The vehicle was returned to me on October 24, 2025. Shortly afterward, the car began to lag and hesitate while accelerating. On November 3, 2025, while driving to a doctor’s appointment on the Bypass Bridge in morning traffic, th...
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...
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle lost power. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the engine was not replaced. The contact related ...
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. T...
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light, the emission system failure, and electronic parking assist messages were displayed. Additionally, the AWD feature had become inoperable, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. After disconnecting and reconnecting the negative ...
Warning lamps appeared for forward collision, lane keep assist, auto high beam, brakes, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and an unknown recall for the tires, and another for the trim around the doors. The contact stated that the recall repairs were completed. The contact’s son picked up the vehicle from the dealer and noticed that the front windshield was cracked. Additionally, while d...
Electric parking brake problem , and emissions system problem. Apparently its a common issue many are affected.
2 1/2 years before the current connecting rod bearing recall, my engine failed due to the connecting rod bearing at 53,000 miles. After fighting with Acura for almost a year, they agreed to replace the motor. However, when I picked it up, they had only rebuilt the motor. Now that motor's rod has failed at 68,000 miles and they refuse to replace the motor. They say it doesn't have anything to d...
Car shuts down randomly when accelerating from a stop or red light . All the mechanical lights come up on the dash.
Recall Still Listed as Unrepaired After Completion Dear NHTSA, I am reaching out regarding an outstanding recall listed for my vehicle, even though the repair has already been completed. I took my car to an authorized dealership to have the recall service performed, and the repair was completed. However, the recall still appears as *unrepaired* in the NHTSA system. Because of this, I am current...
The recall impacting my fuel injection has not been fixed since 2023 i have been waiting. I was told parts are available now and would be called by someone but that has been more than a month ago.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Pull Over Immediately" message was displayed. The contact's wife pulled over, and the "Hill Start Assist Problem", "Collision Mitigation System Problem", "Road Departure Mitigation Problem", and "Blind Spot Info System Problem" messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the de...
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled with t...
The vehicle's dash states the following are malfunctioning: Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam, Collision Mitigation System, and Lane Keeping Assist. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. A few days prior to this message appearing on the dash, the car flashed and beeped that I needed to BRAKE when there wasn't anything in front of me while dr...
Showing 20 of 59 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Acura Tlx
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2024-11-08 · Closed 2025-08-20
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature conne...
Component: Engine
Opened 2025-08-20
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathere...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Acura Tlx
Has the 2020 ACURA TLX been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 ACURA TLX has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 ACURA TLX have?
The 2020 ACURA TLX has 59 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 ACURA TLX?
The 2020 ACURA TLX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 ACURA TLX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 ACURA TLX involve engine (8 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (7 complaints), power train (5 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2020 ACURA TLX have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2020 ACURA TLX out of 59 total complaints (6.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 ACURA TLX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 ACURA TLX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 ACURA TLX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 ACURA TLX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 ACURA TLX?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 ACURA TLX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 ACURA TLX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 ACURA TLX is acceptable with caveats. It has 59 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 ACURA TLX?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 ACURA TLX are: 1. ENGINE (8 complaints), 2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (7 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (4 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 8 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 ACURA TLX?
Be aware of potential transmission and engine issues, and check for recalls related to these components. The 2020 ACURA TLX has 59 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 ACURA TLX?
The 2020 ACURA TLX receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 59 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Fuel System, Gasoline.
What are the known issues with the 2020 ACURA TLX?
Known issues with the 2020 ACURA TLX include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Transmission, Electrical System, Engine. These are based on patterns found across 59 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Acura TLX?
Yes, recalls have been issued for engine and fuel system issues, including a recent rod bearing recall.
What are the common transmission issues with the 2020 Acura TLX?
Transmission harsh and delayed gear engagement, sometimes requiring manual shifting, have been reported.
Are there any electrical system problems with the 2020 Acura TLX?
Random engine shutdowns and electrical system problems, such as the electric parking brake and emissions system issues, have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential transmission and engine issues, and check for recalls related to these components.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Acura Tlx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Acura Tlx. The data includes 59 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Acura Tlx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13