Is the 2015 Acura TLX a bad year?
344 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 161, 16× a quiet TLX year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 1k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 102 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 TLX owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 9,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 161 (47%) | 1k–36k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 97 (28%) | 10k–73k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 64 (19%) | 16k–62k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 23 (7%) | 0k–32k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 24 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 21 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 9,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 344 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 5 report an injury · 16 say the car was towed.
18 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While the vehicle was unattended (No driver present) and transmission was engaged in park; I was present when using the remote started.
Issues with transmission shifting. 1. Delay of acceleration at low speed such as at an intersection (4 occurrences) where making a turn car does not readily accelerate due to being in too high of a gear while in automatic mode.
Went in for a recall notice I received for my 2015 Acura TLX specifying a possible faulty transmission in car - went to go have it looked at.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 9,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Acura TLX: 6
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance. Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This may prevent the transmission from shifting into the Park position. If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may have incorrect values for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear printed on the safety certification label. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification." If the vehicle is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Acura: 265
Repair instructions Acura sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Acura TLX. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart
The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures
During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716…
The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2016 TLX: 111 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Acura TLX year
2012 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All TLX years side by side
Other Acura models: Acura CL · Acura ILX · Acura Integra · Acura MDX · Acura RDX · Acura RL · Acura RSX · Acura TL · Acura TSX. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Acura TLX a bad year?
344 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 161, 16× a quiet TLX year. At 9,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 1k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 102 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Acura TLX?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (161), engine (97), electrical system (64), speed control (23), brakes (24). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 1k–36k miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Acura TLX have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Engine (NHTSA 23V-751), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-060), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-640) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.