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Acura TLX Type SModel year report

2021 Acura TLX Type S Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
58,061miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Acura TLX Type S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2021 Acura TLX Type S. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 29 complaints (91% of the total), followed by engine (4) and electrical system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,061 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 31 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “transfer case and drivetrain failure from spline stripping. No hard driving performed yet parts still failed. Car went from AWD to FWD without codes. Car failed to gain traction when going up hill and nearly rolled back into another car.”

NHTSA complaint #11636677, filed 2025-01, 58,061 miles

Engine: “My 2021 TLX Type S front wheels started to spin upon acceleration at 44K miles. I immediately scheduled an appt for the dealership. Was informed I needed a new Transfer Case Unit, as the splines were shredded. With this, I also had to replace the transmission. All replaced and picked up today 12/2/2025”

NHTSA complaint #11702530, filed 2025-12

Electrical system: “I would like to report a serious safety issue with the 2021 Acura TLX Type s. Recently in April 2024, while driving, I heard a loud pop from the vehicle, and it turned out that the transfer case had burst into the transmission. This failure has rendered the rear-wheel drive non-functional, resulting in severe oversteer. This oversteer is especially dangerous because the vehicle is now operating as front-wheel drive, which creates an unpredictable and hazardous driving experience. …”

NHTSA complaint #11624322, filed 2024-11

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,061 and 58,061 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–50100%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 58,061 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20242025232026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Acura TLX Type S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
TLX Type-S AWD3.0L 6-cyl10-speed automatic192521$3,900
TLX Type-S Perf Tire AWD3.0L 6-cyl10-speed automatic192421$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Acura TLX Type S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 31 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 31 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura TLX Type S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20238—1—21—Too new
20229—1—21—Not enough data
20213258,0611—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising

All Acura TLX Type S model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Acura TLX Type S have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2021 Acura TLX Type S as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Acura TLX Type S is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 29 complaints (91% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2021 Acura TLX Type S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Acura TLX Type S get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Acura TLX Type S (TLX Type-S, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Acura TLX Type S reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,061 miles and the middle half falls between 58,061 and 58,061 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.