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2020 Acura TLX problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
55% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2020 Acura TLX are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 73% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 3 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 52%).
Does the 2020 Acura TLX have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 33 of 60 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Acura TLX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (55%), and the largest group is filed under engine (19). For comparison, the 2019 scores 63% and the 2021 scores 70%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2020 compares with other Acura TLX years
Of the 8 Acura TLX years with enough complaints to score, the 2020 is the best on engine and transmission share (55%). The worst is the 2017 (72%). By volume, the 2020 drew 63 complaints (33 drivetrain), against 92 for the 2019 and 102 for the 2021.
Acura TLX years to avoid and best years →
2015 TLX problems · 2016 TLX problems · 2017 TLX problems · 2018 TLX problems · 2019 TLX problems · 2020 · 2021 TLX problems · 2022 TLX problems
The rest of the picture on the 2020 Acura TLX
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2020 Acura TLX said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 33 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2020 Acura TLX engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2020 Acura TLX involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.…
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.
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2020 Acura TLX? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2020 Acura TLX
Does the 2020 Acura TLX have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 33 of 60 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Acura TLX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (55%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Acura TLX?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2020 Acura TLX is engine: 19 of 63 complaints (30%) name it, followed by fuel system (12) and gasoline (12). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2020 Acura TLX reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 55% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 73% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 8 Acura TLX years we score, it ranks best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2020 Acura TLX?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2020 Acura TLX involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total: 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), 23V751000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical), 21V215000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Acura TLX years are better?
The 2020 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Acura TLX years we track (55%). The other years run higher. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/acura-tlx
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.