2021 Acura TLX TYPE S
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Acura TLX TYPE S has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is transmission problems (81% of all complaints), specifically: transfer case splines sheared, causing the awd system to fail. this eliminates power output to the rear wheels and could cause a loss of control while driving in sub par road conditions. this appears to be a very common issue among the type-s trim.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
36
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 4 of 4)
TRANSMISSION
29 complaints- • Transfer case splines sheared, causing the awd system to fail. This eliminates power output to the rear wheels and could cause a loss of control while driving in sub par road conditions. This appears to be a very common issue among the Type-S trim.
- • My car is now a front wheel drive car instead of all wheel drive car … no check engine no light nothing except the car is bringing no more power from the back wheels
- • The All Wheel Drive system stopped working due to a transfer case/transmission failure. The repair was warrantied by the dealership however everything that i have read states this is a common issue and acura has not provided a permanent fix to prevent this from happening in the future
“Transfer case splines sheared, causing the awd system to fail. This eliminates power output to the rear wheels and could cause a loss of control while driving in sub par road conditions. This appears to be a very common issue among the Type-S trim.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (1)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Acura TLX TYPE S
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Acura TLX TYPE S
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Acura TLX TYPE S Service Intervals
Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+
These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2021 TLX TYPE S, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 36 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: Transfer case splines sheared, causing the awd system to fail. This eliminates power output to the rear wheels and could cause a loss of control while driving in sub par road conditions. This appears to be a very common issue among the Type-S trim.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I am reporting a critical safety issue with my 2021 Acura TLX (VIN: [XXX] ), specifically related to the transmission and transfer case. The problem is centered around the transmission’s spline splitting into the transfer case, which causes severe jerking while driving. The car moves forward erratic
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I am reporting a critical safety issue with my 2021 Acura TLX (VIN: [XXX] ), specifically related to the transmission and transfer case. The problem is centered around the transmission’s spline splitting into the transfer case, which causes severe jerking while driving. The car moves forward erratic
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Acura TLX TYPE S — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 10
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Acura TLX TYPE S