2019 Acura TLX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Acura TLX has a complaint index of 91, second-worst of 12 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 92 complaints, 6 recalls, and 7 crash reports, with engine problems making up 53% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 91/100
- #2 of 12 TLX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 92
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2019 Acura TLX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine49 (53%)
- Fuel System27 (29%)
- Electrical System13 (14%)
- Other11 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (12%)
- Brakes7 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the brakes suddenly stop responding, with the pedal pushed to the floor and no deceleration, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Some describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating while parking at low speed, crashing through walls or barriers with airbag deployment.
- Engine rod bearing issues have been reported even after recall repairs, with the problem reportedly recurring on the same vehicle.
- Owners describe the transmission causing brief acceleration when downshifting with paddle shifters, instead of slowing the car as expected.
- One owner reported emissions and parking brake warning lights flashing repeatedly on a nearly new vehicle with under 900 miles.
- Another reported the transmission shifting gears on its own along with electrical display glitches affecting navigation and phone controls.
2019 Acura TLX recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2019 Acura TLX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,375
- 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.
2019 compared with other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Acura TLX reliable?
- It ranks 2nd worst out of 12 TLX model years by complaint index (91) and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 92 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns for this year.
- What are the main problems with the 2019 Acura TLX?
- Engine issues make up 53% of complaints, followed by fuel system problems at 29% and electrical system issues at 14%. The median mileage at failure across all complaints was 9,288 miles.
- Does the 2019 Acura TLX have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 23V751000 covers a manufacturing error in engine connecting rods for 2015-2020 TLX vehicles, and recall 19V298000 covers a timing belt issue on 2019 TLX and related Honda/Acura models.
- How does the 2019 TLX compare to other years?
- The 2019 TLX's complaint index of 91 is worse than 2017 (45, Good), 2022 (36, Good), 2023 (27, Good), and 2024 (9, Best), but slightly better than 2015 (100, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Acura TLX?
- EPA rates it at 23.5 mpg combined (20 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,375.