Head-to-head reliability
Acura TLX vs Honda Accord
How the Acura TLX and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord: The TLX averages 53.7 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Accord averages 443.8. The TLX has 33 recalls and no deaths, whereas the Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Owners report engine and drivetrain issues on the TLX, and engine, electrical, and forward collision problems on the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura TLX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX, over its first decade, has generated a moderate stream of complaints, averaging about 54 per year. Owners frequently report engine issues, particularly sudden power loss in humid conditions, and drivetrain problems like transfer case leaks. Electrical gremlins, such as a blacking-out instrument cluster, also surface. While no deaths are reported, the pattern suggests a car that can be rewarding to drive but may demand patience with intermittent faults.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, with over ten times the complaint volume, shows a much higher rate of reported issues, averaging over 440 per year. Engine problems, electrical system failures, and a large number of complaints about forward collision avoidance systems dominate. Owners describe sudden power loss, electrical malfunctions, and false activations of safety systems. The higher crash and injury numbers, including three deaths, underscore the importance of these reported failures, though the Accord's popularity means more vehicles on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura TLX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 537 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 53.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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
- 01ENGINE138
- 02POWER TRAIN100
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM92
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER74
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM60
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration, especially in humid or rainy conditions, often accompanied by a flashing check engine light. This points to moisture-induced misfires, which can be dangerous when overtaking.
Transmission and transfer case fluid leaks are common, with one owner told they were 'lucky' to catch a spline failure early. Such leaks can lead to catastrophic drivetrain damage if ignored.
The digital instrument cluster can go completely black while driving, leaving the driver without speedometer or other vital information. Other electrical issues include adaptive damper system errors due to poor wiring.
“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…”
“I understand Honda isn't doing soo well so I hope this is added to the list of the feds research we just bought this tlx aspec don't understand how these cars need to be 4000lbs but anyway the gas mileage advertised is not what you get I've seen on multiple f…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report a range of engine problems, including unusual noises and sudden loss of power accompanied by multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS). This can lead to the vehicle losing speed on the highway.
Electrical issues range from TPMS warnings that precede tire failures to rodent damage on wiring harnesses. Such problems can disable critical systems and lead to unsafe conditions.
Many complaints involve the forward collision avoidance system activating unexpectedly or failing to work correctly. Owners report false alerts and instances where the system brakes without reason, which can be startling and potentially cause accidents.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
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: 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 2022 Acura TLX vehicles. The tires may have sustained cuts and tears during the sorting process, which can result in tire damage.
The risk: Damaged tires can lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2023. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is GCW.
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…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
The defect: 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 R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 ar…
Buyer analysis
Acura TLX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Acura TLX has far fewer complaints per year (about 54) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means TLX owners may experience fewer problems overall, but the Accord's higher volume also reflects its larger sales numbers. Still, the Accord's specific issues with safety systems and engine power loss are more concerning.
Key differences
- The TLX has a higher proportion of engine and drivetrain complaints, while the Accord's complaints are more spread across engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- Accord owners report more issues with safety systems like forward collision avoidance, which can be a major concern for buyers.
- The TLX has fewer complaints per year, suggesting a lower rate of reported problems, but the Accord's higher volume may be due to its larger market presence.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the Accord's recalls include hybrid power control unit software and air bag sensor issues, while the TLX's recalls focus on brakes and fuel system.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of moisture damage or misfires, especially if the car has been driven in humid conditions.
- Check the transmission and transfer case for fluid leaks, as these can lead to expensive failures.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system to ensure it doesn't activate unexpectedly or fail to respond.
- Check the electrical system for any warning lights or intermittent issues, and inspect wiring for rodent damage.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive the car in various conditions, including highway speeds, to see if any warning lights or power loss occur.
- Ask for service records to see if any of the common issues have been addressed.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls on the specific model year you're considering.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 101 |
| 2024 | 5 | 214 |
| 2023 | 10 | 224 |
| 2022 | 25 | 238 |
| 2021 | 67 | 226 |
| 2020 | 62 | 355 |
| 2019 | 91 | 677 |
| 2018 | 93 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 70 | 534 |
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 Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura TLX vs Honda Accord
- Acura TLX total complaints
- 537
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Acura TLX total recalls
- 33
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Acura TLX avg complaints/year
- 53.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Acura TLX
- Acura TLX top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE