Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2023 Acura TLX Type S with NHTSA between 2023 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Acura TLX Type S. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2023 compares with every other Acura TLX Type S
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2023 Acura TLX Type S
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
770.0%
Other & Unspecified
220.0%
Wheels
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2023peak 4Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2023 Acura TLX Type S
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP26001Opened 6 Mar 2026Closed 4 Aug 2026POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
All wheel drive allegation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure reduces vehicle direct...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Seffner, FL
POWER TRAIN
Transmission and transfer case failure. Causing the loss of power to the rear wheels. Reducing the traction and stability of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11748982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NY
POWER TRAIN
While making a right turn from a stop the car made a bang sound followed by grinding upon acceleration. I took my 23 TLX type S to a local Dunn Tire and asked them to put it on the lift. They raised all tires off the ground, started the car, and accelerated. Only the front wheels spun. This is the exact scenario lots of consumers have reported with this model when the transfer case splines break off the shaft. The car is driving without error lights but feels different while corning. It's very concerning that the car has 41k miles on it and is well taken care of. I drive it in winter so AWD is a huge reason I choose it. I have an appointment with my local Acura dealership but its over a week away. I asked to have a tech contact me back to ensure driving it more won't case future issues but they never followed up.
NHTSA complaint #11748393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewiston, ME
POWER TRAIN
Lost power to rear wheels. AWD system failure. I was denied repair at my local dealership as they insisted the car was fine. I told them I had no awd they didn’t believe me. I was then forced to trade my car into them for a massive $$ loss becuase i feared for my safety driving a fwd car in the winter. I don’t know who owns the car now. I actually have a video of it happening. I can send you it if you work with me. Thanks.
NHTSA complaint #11723602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indian Land, SC
POWER TRAIN
Short Description Transmission-to-PTU splines, causing AWD loss and requiring full transfer case and transmission replacement. Summary This drivetrain failure poses an unreasonable safety risk due to the sudden loss of AWD capability, lack of alerts, and resulting instability. My experience is consistent with dozens of documented cases and matches the mechanical fault pattern already under federal review. Given the potential for severe loss of vehicle control, a full investigation and corrective action (including a recall) is necessary. Symptoms Sudden AWD loss Loud bang or grinding Only front wheels receiving power No warning lights Safety risks Loss of directional stability Wheel spin under acceleration Hazard in inclement weather Cost & extent of repairs Many cases require complete drivetrain replacement costing $13k–$19k. Prevalence 137k+ vehicles, NHTSA DP26‑001 currently open.
NHTSA complaint #11723340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indian Land, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Short Description Transmission-to-PTU splines, causing AWD loss and requiring full transfer case and transmission replacement. Summary This drivetrain failure poses an unreasonable safety risk due to the sudden loss of AWD capability, lack of alerts, and resulting instability. My experience is consistent with dozens of documented cases and matches the mechanical fault pattern already under federal review. Given the potential for severe loss of vehicle control, a full investigation and corrective action (including a recall) is necessary. Symptoms Sudden AWD loss Loud bang or grinding Only front wheels receiving power No warning lights Safety risks Loss of directional stability Wheel spin under acceleration Hazard in inclement weather Cost & extent of repairs Many cases require complete drivetrain replacement costing $13k–$19k. Prevalence 137k+ vehicles, NHTSA DP26‑001 currently open.
NHTSA complaint #11723340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugarland, TX
POWER TRAIN
1. Transfer Case-SH-AWD failure-> No, it was recently replaced at the dealership at no cost. 2. Failure with the AWD system would cause me to be in FWD, only causing failure in steering input, especially in turns. 3. The car was put onto the lift and attempted to spin all 4 wheels, only the front 2 spun. Also, they noticed a seal failure/leak from the Transfercase/Transmission. 4. Acura Technicians recommended the replacement after spotting my concern and pointing out the exact issue 5. No lights or warning since the failure happened I had no idea of how bad the issue was until an Acura Technician brought it up. 5(c). I did notice a difference in driving feel i.e jerking in low gear and a leak on the floor, but thought it was just excess oil from oil changes. Confirmed by the tech, it was not when I asked them.
NHTSA complaint #11723162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gautier, MS
POWER TRAIN
Transfer case
NHTSA complaint #11664848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terryville, CT
POWER TRAIN
Transfer case documented as leaking on 3-22-2025/ 35,846 Miles while doing regular oil change in my driveway. Brought to the dealership and they confirmed the transfer case needed to be replaced. If the transfer case went during operation, it could have lead to a dangerous situation with loss of power and control to the rear wheels. Problem was confirmed after dealership performed visual inspection. Component was not inspected by police, insurance, or others. No warning lamps, just accumulating liquid on the under-body panels and seeping from the gasket. The transfer case was replaced on 11APR2025 with the same part number: 29000-5YK-060. I asked if this would happen again since there was no revision to the part number, the dealership was unable to reply.
NHTSA complaint #11664265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
WHEELS
New car three months old. Did not include spare tire. Tried ordering one and told it was backordered. Told Acura considers spares accessories. I don’t. Now have new car with no spare , no tools to change flat tire, no Jack. No help from Acura other than they’ll let me know when the spare kit is available. I consider this a potentially serious safety problem.
NHTSA complaint #11541928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
New car three months old. Did not include spare tire. Tried ordering one and told it was backordered. Told Acura considers spares accessories. I don’t. Now have new car with no spare , no tools to change flat tire, no Jack. No help from Acura other than they’ll let me know when the spare kit is available. I consider this a potentially serious safety problem.
NHTSA complaint #11541928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.