Head-to-head reliability
Acura TLX vs FORD F 150
How the Acura TLX and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura TLX vs FORD F 150: The TLX averages 54.6 complaints per year with 33 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 24). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura TLX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 546 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 55 per year. Owners report engine misfires and sudden power loss in wet conditions, transmission fluid leaks, and electrical glitches like blank instrument clusters. With 33 recalls and 24 crash-related complaints, it's not trouble-free, but the issues are less frequent than the Ford F-150's.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint count: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging over 1,160 per year. Recurring problems include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical gremlins like rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, it's a high-maintenance vehicle with many safety-related complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura TLX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 546 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura TLX
- 01ENGINE140
- 02POWER TRAIN103
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM94
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER75
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM61
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration and misfires in humid or rainy conditions, often with a flashing check engine light. Another complaint describes a loud knocking noise followed by power loss, which could mean expensive internal engine damage.
Complaints include transmission fluid leaks from the transfer case area and dashboard warning lights with loss of drive modes shortly after purchase. These issues can lead to costly repairs and reduced drivability.
Owners report the digital instrument cluster going completely black while driving, and adaptive damper system errors due to wiring problems. These glitches can be distracting and may affect safety features.
This component ranks high in complaints, though specific owner text is not provided. Buyers should be aware of potential fuel system issues that could cause stalling or leaks.
“While driving in humid, rainy conditions for over five hours, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration. Moisture appears to have built up, resulting in a misfire and a flashing MIL/Check Engine light. This occurred while I was overtaking anot…”
“- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoper…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint area, with owners reporting transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting safety risks.
Owners report lead frame problems causing electrical faults, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. These issues can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are frequent, though specific details are not provided. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine complaints include various failures, though sample text focuses on transmission and electrical. Buyers should check for recalls and service history related to engine issues.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura TLX — 33 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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 Vehic…
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 ar…
The defect: 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…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
The defect: 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 Vehic…
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 ar…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Acura TLX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Acura TLX has far fewer complaints per year (about 55 vs. over 1,160 for the Ford F-150), suggesting it may be less troublesome to own. However, both have safety-related complaints, so a thorough inspection and recall check are essential for either vehicle.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 20 times more complaints per year than the Acura TLX, with transmission and electrical problems dominating.
- Acura TLX owners report engine misfires and power loss in wet conditions, while Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls versus 33 for the Acura TLX, indicating more widespread safety fixes.
- Ford F-150 complaints include 297 injuries and 1 death, while Acura TLX has 16 injuries and 0 deaths, though these numbers don't account for vehicle population.
- Check for transmission fluid leaks around the transfer case and drivetrain, as owners report active leaks.
- Test the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system for any blanking or error messages, especially adaptive damper warnings.
- Inspect for transmission issues: test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or rough shifting, and ask about lead frame replacement.
- Check the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster for proper function.
Before you buy
- Look up the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see if all recalls are repaired.
- Take a long test drive, including highway speeds and rainy conditions if possible, to check for misfires or transmission problems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission, engine, and electrical systems for signs of the reported issues.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and software updates.
- For the Ford F-150, specifically ask if the lead frame and output speed sensor have been replaced or updated.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Acura TLX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 345 |
| 2024 | 5 | 638 |
| 2023 | 11 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 26 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 70 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 63 | 44 |
| 2019 | 92 | 52 |
| 2018 | 94 | 79 |
| 2017 | 71 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura TLX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura TLX vs FORD F 150
- Acura TLX total complaints
- 546
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Acura TLX total recalls
- 33
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Acura TLX avg complaints/year
- 54.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Acura TLX
- Acura TLX top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN