2022 Acura TLX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: August 18, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

Purchased this vehicle used, as-is, from a Ford dealership on August 18, 2026. Approximately 90 minutes after taking delivery, the vehicle began displaying multiple dashboard warning lights and lost access to Sport drive mode. The vehicle was returned to the selling dealership the same day; their technicians were unable to reproduce the fault or retrieve a diagnostic trouble code at that time. The vehicle was subsequently towed to an authorized Acura dealership for independent diagnosis. That inspection identified three separate issues: (1) the warning lights, attributed to a lean-running condition possibly caused by fuel quality; (2) a leaking front brake caliper, quoted at approximately 900 to repair; and (3) a fluid leak at the gasket between the transmission and transfer case, which the dealership states requires full replacement of both the transmission and transfer case, at an estimated cost of approximately 13,000. This transmission/transfer case leak occurs at the same location addressed in NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Petition DP26001 (opened March 2026), covering 2021-2023 Acura TLX and 2022-2023 Acura MDX SH-AWD vehicles. NHTSA's review, resolved August 6, 2026, confirmed the underlying failure mechanism as real — splines connecting the transmission output shaft to the power take-off unit stripping or shearing, cutting power to the rear wheels — based on 62 owner complaints and manufacturer field reports, though NHTSA declined to mandate a recall. NHTSA's review also noted that the vehicle's dashboard provides no warning to the driver when this failure occurs. Given that this failure surfaced within 90 minutes of taking delivery of the vehicle, and that it matches a documented, federally-reviewed defect pattern on this exact model and drivetrain, I am filing this complaint to add to NHTSA's records on this known issue and to document a case where the failure manifested essentially immediately upon purchase.

Incident: April 6, 2026 · Filed: July 17, 2026

Transfer case failure, leakage, discovered after warranty expired. Took vehicle in describing seeming loss of AWD and tech informed me it was “normal” I Later discovered, during an oil change, a leak From the transmission or transfer case that covered the lower skid plate, which looking up, was directly related to a known failure of the Type S’s transfer case/Transmission causing a loss of traction to the rear wheels.

Incident: July 14, 2026 · Filed: July 15, 2026

The transfer case splines sheared off in the transmission. The car is safe to drive but went from AWD to FWD as there is now no power being transmitted through the transfer case to the rear wheels. The dealership confirmed the issue was the transfer case by lifting the car and seeing if the rear wheels were getting power. They then tore down the transmission and found the splines were all gone from the transfer case. The component was not inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or anyone else. There were no warnings or symptoms to the problem before the failure.

Incident: July 2, 2026 · Filed: July 8, 2026

We have a 2022 Acura TLX Type S and it has started to show an errors - Adaptive Damper System Problem. From what I can gather from reviewing articles on the Internet is that this problem is caused because of poor wiring design by Honda / Acura, which is causing speed sensors electronics to erode. There are also articles that Honda /Acura is aware of this problem and is currently gathering data. Our concern is that in Michigan, if you have these problems, specially during winter when the roads are icy - if your drive type is stuck in the wrong mode - That can be a safety hazard. Example -The adaptive damper system can cause the automobile to be stuck in sports mode on an icy road, making it dangerous to drive............ Further, consumers are aware that this is a fault of the manufacturer, in the way the wiring harness is routed within the automobiles chassis. This poor design exposes the electronics to unwanted elements from road, snow, salt, dirt etc. It is also reported that this wiring harness is an expensive item to fix, hence Acura is reluctant in taking the necessary effort in resolving this very known issue. Consumers pay a lot for these vehicles for their quality - If this is a known issue , Acura should take care of it and not force the consumers to drive acuras with potential safety issues.

Incident: June 26, 2026 · Filed: June 26, 2026

Went to the Acura dealer for an oil change. Was told I have a leak in the transmission and transfer case and that both will need to be replaced.

Incident: May 20, 2026 · Filed: June 9, 2026

The transfer case spines have stripped and I no longer have all wheel drive only front wheel drive. This is a huge safety hazard for me .

Incident: March 9, 2026 · Filed: April 26, 2026

Accelerated and heard a loud noise and felt like I had driven through wood and one got stocked to the whelle. There was a lot of traffic so I was driving slow. The noice I heard was like something was stuck inside the wheel, like it was grinding. Dealer diagnosed a bad transfer case and transmission and they replaced both under warranty.

Incident: April 20, 2026 · Filed: April 25, 2026

Was changing the oil on my car and noticed grease running out from between the transfer case and transmission and also fluid build up on the transfer case higher up a little below the driveshaft. The car has 41k miles on it, there should be no leaks. My concern is the transfer case/transmission spline failure issue.

Incident: April 4, 2026 · Filed: April 6, 2026

Subject: Vehicle Data Submission for Investigation DP26001 To the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), I am submitting maintenance data for my Acura TLX Type S (VIN: [ВСТАВ ТУТ VIN]) to assist with the ongoing DP26001 investigation regarding the AWD Transfer Case (PTO) splines. The vehicle is a US-specification model currently operated in [XXX] . Maintenance Facts: At 29,000 km (18,000 miles): PTO fluid was changed. Metallic debris was observed in the fluid. At 43,000 km (26,700 miles): PTO fluid was changed again. Silver metallic shavings and "glitter" were clearly present. A magnetic drain plug was installed during this service to capture further debris. Symptoms: The vehicle experiences harsh downshifts and mechanical clunking at low speeds in traffic. I am providing this to ensure the failure rate is accurately tracked globally. Please add this VIN and data to the DP26001 file. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: March 19, 2026 · Filed: April 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Acura TLX. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the lower control arms needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that the control arms might fracture. The contact stated that the part to repair the vehicle was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 72,845.