2021 Acura TLX Service and Repair Manual
The 2021 Acura TLX was offered with two turbocharged engines across four trims, and this factory service and repair manual is matched to that exact model year, so the specifications and sequences are the ones Acura published for your engine and trim.
Engines
- 2.0L I4 — 1996cc (122 cu in), DOHC, turbocharged, gas
- 3.0L V6 — 2997cc (183 cu in), DOHC, turbocharged, gas
Trims
- Base Sedan 4-Door
- SH-AWD Sedan 4-Door
- Type S Sedan 4-Door
- Advance Sedan 4-Door
Known issues on the 2021 TLX. One recall is on federal record for this model year (NHTSA 24V064000): the front-passenger occupant classification air bag sensor, where an air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Owners have filed 82 complaints and Acura has issued 112 technical service bulletins for the year.
Whether the job is a routine service interval, a control-module reflash, or a hard-to-trace wiring fault, it keeps you on the factory procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2021 TLX.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and installing Over the Air System Updates. System Updates contain upgrades that fix a variety of operational errors and/or enhancements
Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022- 2024 MDXs & 2021-2025 TLXs with a client complaint of a loose or detached rearview mirror bracket. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM wo
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADVs and 2021-2025 TLX Type Ss with a client complaint of the Adaptive Damper System Problem (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Disp
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADVs and 2021-2025 TLX Type Ss with a client complaint of the Adaptive Damper System Problem (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Disp
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADVs and 2021-2025 TLX Type Ss with a client complaint of the Adaptive Damper System Problem (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Disp
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADVs and 2021-2025 TLX Type Ss with a client complaint of the Adaptive Damper System Problem (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Disp
Service Bulletin - A coaxial cable terminal was not manufactured to proper specifications. An improperly manufactured terminal may lead to poor communication in the media-oriented system (MOST) bus network which can potentially affect the a
Showing the 8 most recent of 113 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
While traveling on a narrow road and a narrow bridge, the lane departure system caused the car to veer left into another car. The road had no dividing lane marker. The car was totaled and my wife injured
The contact owned a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, she was struck by another vehicle driving at 55 MPH on the front passenger side. The vehicle spun around due to the impact and came to a stop facing oncoming traffic. The contact lost consciousness. No air bags were deployed. The contact sought medical care fo
My wife and I were on the first day of vacation, driving from Virginia to FL by way of SC. Around 1pm I was driving the car on interstate 20 West in South Carolina near Bishopville. There were no cars in my lane in front of me and the car suddenly activated what Acura refers to as the CMBS system. The purpose of this is to stop us if it thinks we are going to run into another vehicle. I'm not 100% sure but I think this is related to the adaptive cruise control. We had not used cruise control tha
How Acura Lost my Business The fact that no one from Acura will take responsibility for the ongoing issues has reaffirmed that my long-term commitment to owning Acura’s is over. Honda will only communicate via the phone and say "if the dealership can't fix it, neither can Honda." I decided, after months of difficulties with things not working correctly in my car, to trade it in. The last straw was when I looked up the Acura TLX Blue Book value; the car had a safety recall I knew nothing abo
Problem with all safety feature sensors like Adas, lane assistance. Small car icon which always green turned orange, and none of those features working.
The vehicle VIN - [XXX] The vehicle, 2021 Acura TLX, was purchased on June 8, 2021, from the showroom floor of Metro Acura Dealership. The vehicle was sold as being compatible with iPhone, Bluetooth HandsFree Link, and Apple CarPlay. Not to mention the innovative technology, Automatic Lighting Control, and Auto-Idle Stop System. The vehicle was purchased with a full 4 year/50,000-mile warranty. I have dealt with Metro Acura in Montclair, CA, Spreen Acura in Riverside, CA, and Wittmei
Noticed my 2021 Acura TLX A-SPEC SH-AWD has fluid leaking from the rear differential where the driveshaft connects. The vehicle has 16,531 miles on the odometer. Honda is releasing a recall for leaking rear differential on the Honda CRV as well Accords. Honda may want to include the Acura TLX's as well in the recall as they are reporting the drivesshaft may cause serious damage at high speeds if the differential is leaking.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and another dealer, Park Ave Acura (247 W Passaic St, Maywood, NJ 07607); were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue
The contact owns a 2021 Acura TLX. The contact stated that whenever the radio was turned on and occasionally randomly, there was a crackling and popping sound heard in the speakers. The contact then stated that while shifted in reverse, the rear-view camera screen intermittently displayed a blank screen or delayed displaying an image. The contact then stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose connection in the bus network. The contact was infor
Rotors warped and changed through warranty but loud humming and vibration is back after 2,000 miles on new rotors. Steering column is leaking fluid down to brake pedal. Steering wheel is making a clicking noise when turning. Speakers are crackling after Fakra replacement under acceleration or going over bumps.
While using the Air Conditioner in Comfort Mode Suspension settings on my Advanced SHAWD model, the front suspension intermittently squeaks and creaks. It is very audible in the colder months or after it rains.
In February 2024 I became aware of a recall impacting my 2021 Acura TLX. When I called Acura, I was told more information would become available-- I did not hear back. Then In April 2024 I took my vehicle in for servicing and asked my dealership Radley Acura if they could also repair the recall, and the dealership informed me they did not have a part nor an estimate as to when it would become available. In response, I called Acura corporate. They too did not have an update. Fast forward to Septe
Per the note on this website that says "If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA ..." Regarding Manufacturer Recall Number YHG / NHTSA Recall Number24V-064, when I made an appointment with my local Acura dealer, they told me "The manufacturer does not have the parts and the remedy available for that recall, so we will not be ble to take care of it. If that was what you were coming in for, I will have
I was traveling on the highway (on a very rainy day), when my car's green signal lights and orange engine light began blinking. Immediately, an orange warning sign on the dash read, "Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot Operate, Radar Obstructed". A few seconds after that occurred, I accelerated to pass a vehicle & as soon as I switched lanes to get over, my car went from speeds of about 85 MPH, abruptly down to 15-20 MPH. My safety was immediately put at risk as the driver I passed began tailgatin
Showing the 15 most serious of 66 complaints filed with NHTSA.
