2020 Acura TLX
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Acura TLX has 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving around 30miles/hr and the engines shut off unexpectedly. i was stuck in the middle of a highway and the engine didn’t turn back on. the dashboard showed total failure. the car was one year old with 11k miles. i just had it serviced by the dealer.. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.
95
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
26 complaints- • I was driving around 30miles/hr and the engines shut off unexpectedly. I was stuck in the middle of a highway and the engine didn’t turn back on. The dashboard showed total failure. The car was one year old with 11k miles. I just had it serviced by the dealer.
- • Two times in three weeks with the auto idle stop active the car failed to restart on a green light. Following all the prompts in the car it takes over a minute to re start the car while blocking traffic.
- • Car loses power on inclines. Stepping on gas and car decreases speed.
“I was driving around 30miles/hr and the engines shut off unexpectedly. I was stuck in the middle of a highway and the engine didn’t turn back on. The dashboard showed total failure. The car was one year old with 11k miles. I just had it serviced by the dealer.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2020 Acura TLX
Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 66K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (5)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure 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.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Acura TLX
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 2020 Acura TLX
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 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 2020 TLX, 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 95 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: I was driving around 30miles/hr and the engines shut off unexpectedly. I was stuck in the middle of a highway and the engine didn’t turn back on. The dashboard showed total failure. The car was one year old with 11k miles. I just had it serviced by the dealer.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reaso
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: while driving on a 2 lane road that curved to the right, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activated for no apparent reason. The brakes engaged hard for a short period of time. Fortunately there was no vehicle behind me that could have rear ended me. I would say this is a serious safety
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: Two times in three weeks with the auto idle stop active the car failed to restart on a green light. Following all the prompts in the car it takes over a minute to re start the car while blocking traffic.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Acura TLX — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 95
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 105
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Acura TLX