2020 Acura TLX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Acura TLX has 62 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 64, and 5 recalls, ranking 5th worst among 12 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by engine (42% of complaints) and fuel system (27%) issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #5 of 12 TLX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 62
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2020 Acura TLX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine26 (42%)
- Fuel System17 (27%)
- Electrical System9 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (10%)
- Other6 (10%)
- Brakes4 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (6%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
- Lane Departure3 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or shuts down unexpectedly when coming to a stop, sometimes taking several seconds to restart and leading to being rear-ended.
- Auto idle-stop system fails to restart the engine at a green light, blocking traffic while owners cycle through dashboard prompts.
- Front wheel reportedly detached while driving after a sensation of tire deflation.
- Transmission suddenly shifts into neutral while driving and will not shift back into drive until the vehicle is turned off and restarted.
- Steering wheel shakes under highway braking, attributed by a dealer to warped front brake rotors.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a rear-end collision, resulting in injury.
2020 Acura TLX recalls
5 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 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2020 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.
2020 compared with other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Acura TLX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 TLX has a complaint index of 64 and ranks 5th worst of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura TLX?
- Engine issues make up 42% of complaints and fuel system issues make up 27%, based on NHTSA data. Owners also reported electrical, transmission, and camera-related complaints.
- Does the 2020 Acura TLX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 TLX, covering airbags, fuel system, and engine components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 TLX compare to other TLX years?
- The 2020 TLX's complaint index of 64 is lower than 2015 (100), 2019 (91), and 2021 (82), but higher than 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which have Good or Best verdicts.
- At what mileage do 2020 TLX problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 66,495 for the 2020 TLX overall, with engine complaints centered around 60,000 miles and fuel system complaints around 67,500 miles.