Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 TLX.
The 2016 Acura TLX is a passenger car that entered its second model year carrying a moderate load of owner dissatisfaction, marked by 109 total complaints heavily concentrated in the engine category alongside three separate recalls. When viewed against the broader 2012-2025 model complaint history, this year represents a significant drop from the problematic 2015 peak of 340 complaints, yet it remains notably elevated compared to the single-complaint low set in 2012. Ultimately, the 2016 TLX occupies a transitional space in the lineup's reliability timeline, meaning that while it avoids the severe pitfalls of its predecessor, researchers should still anticipate notable engine-related concerns rather than a fully stabilized design.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 440 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 190.2 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3481 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 63 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TLX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | V-6 Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | V-6 SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.80 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | V-6 SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.40 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.40 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 7.20 sec | 15.60 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | 2.4L Technology Package 2.4L I-4 | 8.70 sec | 16.70 sec | 206 hp | FWD |
| 2018 | V-6 SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5-4.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.8 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Use Honda Type 2 anti-freeze/coolant, |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 6.6 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Use Honda Type 2 anti-freeze/coolant, |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 68.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 42.0 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18 |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18 |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 53.0 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 38.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242.0 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 630-730 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | .039 - .043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 1.0 - 1.1 in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.05-1.20 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.33-2.83 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 440 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57-64 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 60-67 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min. psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min. psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 53; Rear: 26 /; Front: 53; Rear: 26 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 80 /; Front: 101; Rear: 80 |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 7.5 / NS |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2016 Acura TLX sits in the middle of the generation's complaint arc, with 109 complaints—a significant drop from the 2015 launch year’s 340, but still higher than the 69 reported for 2017. Recalls also fell from six in 2015 to three in 2016, a level that held steady through 2017, while TSBs decreased from 427 to 248, indicating that Acura was actively addressing issues but had not yet fully stabilized the model. The top complaint areas for 2016 center on the engine and powertrain, with 16 engine complaints and 13 engine/cooling reports, plus 10 powertrain issues, though the data does not specify root causes for these problems. With five crash complaints and zero fire reports, safety concerns are present but not dominant. Overall, the 2016 TLX represents a notable improvement over the troublesome 2015 model year, but it still carries more reported issues than the 2017 and later years, making it a reasonable buy only if priced attractively and backed by a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
All 109 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed…
Showing 5 of 248 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPS&08122025901 | 2025-08-12 | Engine | Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month… |
| B22-009 | 2025-07-07 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle… |
| B24-022 | 2025-02-19 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set… |
| B24-022 | 2024-11-22 | Structure | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into… |
| B16-008 | 2024-09-04 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.