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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Acura TLX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
14%of 111 total for the year
Median mileage
17,300miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Acura TLX, 14% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,300 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Transmission function sensor failure warning and blind spot sensor failure warning appeared on dash while I was driving on a city street. Car went immediately into neutral while I was driving. If I took my foot off the brake it would roll backwards into oncoming traffic and cars driving behind me.”

NHTSA complaint #11080229, filed 2018-03, 7,500 miles

“While driving 30 miles per hour on a city street, I noticed the car started was shifting hard. Two minutes later, the warning lights appeared check vsa system , check precision all wheel steer system , and check transmission and the car would not accelerate. This happened at 16,721 miles. The diagnosis was crumbs in the gear panel. Acura showed no record of me bringing my car in for the service.”

NHTSA complaint #11047101, filed 2017-11, 16,721 miles

“Again, while driving approximately 75 MPH on interstate all error codes on dashboard (mil) lit up and the car began to feel as if the transmission was not engaged as if I was in neutral and the engine began loosing power. The speed began decreasing, but then would catch for a few seconds. The gear indicated that it was in drive. I pulled off the interstate & parked. I waited a few minutes & restarted and tried to re-engage in drive to see if it reset itself as it has done in the past just 7 weeks prior, however it just revved up. …”

NHTSA complaint #11253514, filed 2019-09, 51,247 miles

“My car stalled while driving on the interstate at 75mph. It happened in may, july, and september 2019. While driving the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate. The tachometer registering the rpms dropped to 1,000 and stayed there. After pulling over, shutting the car off, waiting, and restarting the car, the vehicle proceeded to operate as normal. Many of the warning lights appeared during this incident. Finally, in september, my car was undriveable and had to be towed to the dealership. The determination was that the car needed a new engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11279780, filed 2019-11, 83,000 miles

“1. When accelerating from a stop, the transmission occasionally feels like it slips into neutral. The engine res but does not move forward for 1-2 seconds. 2. Car downshifts into 1st gear and lurches forward after coming to a stop. 3. Transmission shifts very abruptly and rough during almost all accelerations.”

NHTSA complaint #10851745, filed 2016-03, 1,200 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024240%
2023218%
20221040%
20212839%
2020711%
20191112%
20181111%
20171825%
20161514%
201516147%

Other parts of the 2016 Acura TLX

Engine
27 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Acura TLX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology