2016 Acura TLX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#4 most-complained of 12 TLX years
The 2016 Acura TLX has 110 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 73, and ranks 4th worst of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints, with 3 recalls covering engine and fuel system issues.
- Complaints
- 110
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 34 hwy
Top 2016 Acura TLX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine49 (45%)
- Electrical System25 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (14%)
- Other14 (13%)
- Fuel System13 (12%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Structure & Body6 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended lunging or acceleration while parking or braking, in some cases leading to a crash.
- Engine hesitation and high RPM revving (up to 6000 RPM) when pulling out of a parking spot or entering a highway, especially below 20 mph.
- Check engine and emission system warnings appear around highway speeds, with the car losing power and slowing unexpectedly, creating a rear-end collision risk.
- Transmission feels like it slips into neutral briefly when accelerating from a stop, followed by abrupt downshifts and rough, lurching shifts.
- Fuel system defect linked to NHTSA Campaign 19V060000 causes the vehicle to jerk without warning at various speeds.
- Front dashboard vents reflect into the side view mirrors in bright sunlight, obscuring the driver's view of adjacent vehicles.
2016 Acura TLX recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
- NHTSA 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Engine248,999 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
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 mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
- NHTSA 19V060000Jan 29, 2019Fuel System437,032 vehicles
Fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
2016 Acura TLX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Acura TLX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 TLX has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 4th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other TLX years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Acura TLX?
- Engine problems are the top issue, making up 45% of complaints (49 of 110), with a median mileage at failure of 57,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Acura TLX have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 TLX, covering fuel system and engine components, including a fuel pump module replacement and an engine inspection or replacement campaign.
- How does the 2016 TLX compare to other TLX years?
- The 2016 TLX (Complaint Index 73) is better than the 2015 TLX (100, Avoid) and 2019 TLX (91, Avoid), but worse than the 2017 TLX (45, Good) and 2024 TLX (9, Best).