NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura TLX. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
While traveling on highway, parking brake intermittently activated several times and parking brake malfunction alarm flashed on dashboard. This caused the vehicle to brake unexpectedly while driving through a construction zone on highway 45. Fortunately, we were very close to the Acura dealership where the vehicle was purchased and managed to drive the vehicle to the service department. The Parking brake alarm continued to display on dashboard even after turning off the vehicle and starting it again. The emissions alarm also flashed intermittently on the dashboard. After researching on several TLX Forums, we found similar incidents dating back to 2015 TLX vehicles. There is also an issue when trying to start the vehicle. Sometimes the engine does not turn over and the dashboard displays error messages or goes completely black. Dealer is unable to fix this issue. Vehicle has been in for repairs a number of times with no resolution. We are not sure if the starting issue is related to the parking brake issue. There seems to be major issues with the electrical/software/firmware.
After coming to a stop at a red light, the vehicle engine turned off as designed with auto start stop. When the light turned green, the vehicle temporarily restarted when I released the brake pedal, but immediately stalled and would not restart. This is a major safety concern as I was on a four lane road with traffic all around and I was unable to move. I had place the vehicle into park, turn off the ignition fully, and attempt to restart the car. It eventually restarted, but it took nearly 90 seconds. This is a danger to myself, and to the traffic around me as I was fully stopped on a road with 40 MPH limits and a lot of traffic.
Tire size: 225/50R18 95H While parked I noticed the tire tread pealing off face of tire (the part that touches the road surface) and exposing the under layers of tire rubber and internal tread shapes Almost like outside and inside tread layers separated Not sure if from road hazard or the two layers separated on their own?
My car has started to jerk. I called the dealership where I got it from and they told me that if it didn't jerk in there possession there is nothing they could do. It's a 2020 and it has a little over 28k miles on it. There are 2 open recalls on my vehicle, but my specific vin isn't affected. I don't know what else to do .
Vehicle will suddenly shift into neutral while driving and won’t shift into drive until the vehicle is turned off and restarted
After approx. 15,000 miles on the odometer applying the brakes at highway speed to slow the car down the steering wheel shakes, went to the dealership they said the front brake rotors are warped. Also when traveling at highway speed around 70 mph with strong wind the hood of the car shakes as if it is not latched, stopped vehicle and checked that the hood is properly latched and it was, I am concerned that one time the hood will come unlatched as I am driving. Dealer said that was a normal like other Acura TLX of the same year.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT FELT AS IF THE TIRE WAS ABOUT TO DEFLATE. HE CHECKED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PARK AVENUE ACURA DEALER LOCATED AT 247 WEST PASSAIC ST, MAYWOOD, NJ 07607, (201)-587-0029, WHERE IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SOMEONE POSSIBLY HAD TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN OFFERED RE-INSTALL THE WHEEL HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 830.