Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, steering, and suspension. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Acura TLX: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Acura TLX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 24–25 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 21 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Transfer case leaks and failure
35,000–45,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Acura TLX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The all-wheel-drive system fails suddenly, usually with a loud bang or thud under acceleration. Splines between the transmission and transfer case strip, and the car drives as front-wheel drive only, with torque steer and stability control kicking in on wet roads. Most reports say no warning light comes on first. Other complaints describe transfer case oil leaks, whining, vibration, hard downshifts, and low-speed jerking. Failures cluster around 35,000 to 45,000 miles, and several are Type S cars. Some needed a tow, and some had both the transfer case and transmission replaced under warranty.
Power steering cuts out at low speed. Every dashboard light flashes, the wheel stiffens, and then it locks. Restarting the car usually clears it, and dealers often find nothing to fix. One report describes steering, brakes, and power all quitting at once, more than one time, even after a dealer replaced the PCM. Other complaints describe a car that keeps pulling right after several alignments, and metal shavings in transfer case fluid at 18,000 and 26,700 miles. Losing steering in traffic creates a real crash risk.
Lower control arms wear early. Owners hear squeaking or other abnormal noises, and dealers find too much play in the lower ball joint even when the boot is intact. Dealers recommend replacing both lower control arms. One report puts the failure near 72,845 miles. In at least one case the part was on back order and the car went unrepaired. No warning light comes on. Owners worry that a failed ball joint or broken arm could cause loss of control.
The brakes lose most of their power without warning. The pedal sinks nearly to the floor while the brake and brake service lights come on. Restarting the car restores a normal pedal and clears the lights. Other complaints describe warped rotors at about 20,000 miles that change how the car drives, with dealers charging for the rotors and brakes. The sudden pedal drop is the more serious problem because it leaves the driver with almost no stopping power.
Automatic emergency braking fires with nothing in the way. The BRAKE warning flashes and the car brakes hard for several seconds until it stops, which risks a rear-end crash from following traffic. One owner reports it happening four times. Another report describes the car stopping during a slow turn at 3,600 miles while the warnings for power steering, collision avoidance, road departure, cruise control, and stability control all lit up together. That car was towed to a dealer and not repaired.
The car fails to start or loses power while every dashboard light blinks. One report says this began at 130 miles. The dealer blamed moisture on the MICU connector from aftermarket windshield tint and refused warranty coverage. Another complaint describes a flashing check engine light and limp mode while passing on the highway in light rain, which cleared after a restart. Losing power at highway speed carries a crash risk, and the moisture link makes the fault hard to predict.
Excerpts from complaints TLX owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
My vehicle has less then 35000 miles, I was doing a oil change when I noticed that my transfer cases has a slight oil residue from the bottom, which I suppose it’s just gonna get worse overtime, at this mileage I don’t think this is right that’s why I’m submitting this complaint.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Transmission jerks at low speeds, Car jerks when it is downshifting. The car only has 14,000 miles. Dealership refusing to do any work due to car not having any codes. The car feels like it is having a misfire.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Loss of brake power with “brake” light and “brake service” light on. I was backing out of my driveway and lost almost all braking power almost pushing the pedal to the floor. Once I came to a stop, I turned the car off and turned it back on, brake pedal felt fine and lights went away at that point.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 TLX years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the second model year of the TLX's second generation (2021 on).
Acura updated the TLX for 2024, so a 2022 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2022)
Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.".
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.
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 are FLX and XLY.
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
Risk: Damaged tires can lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Acura TLX, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
