Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 TLX.
The 2021 Acura TLX is a sedan that uses a 5.1‑quart oil capacity and 0W‑20 viscosity, indicating its engine's design parameters, and it comes paired with an Automatic (S10) transmission that delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. In its model year the vehicle records 64 total owner complaints, with the power‑train area accounting for the majority and four recall actions documented. Compared with the model's complaint history from 2012 to 2025, where complaints ranged from a low of one in 2012 to a high of 340 in 2015, the 2021 figure sits near the lower end, suggesting a notable improvement in reliability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 850 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.
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Overall length | 194.5 in |
| Overall width | 75.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in |
| Curb weight | 3926 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.2 / 64.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 21 / 29 / 24 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SH-AWD Type S (Perf. Wheel & Tire) 3.0L Turbo V6 | 4.90 sec | 13.60 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SH-AWD Type S 3.0L Turbo V6 | 5.10 sec | 13.70 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SH-AWD Type S (Perf. Wheel & Tire) 3.0L Turbo V6 | 5.10 sec | 13.70 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SH-AWD A-Spec Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.80 sec | 14.40 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SH-AWD Advance Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.90 sec | 14.50 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2021 | SH-AWD A-Spec Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | SH-AWD Type S (Perf. Wheel & Tire) 3.0L Turbo V6 | 4.60 sec | 13.30 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | SH-AWD Type S (Perf. Wheel & Tire) 3.0L Turbo V6 | 5.00 sec | 13.50 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Rear Diff: Acura AWD Fluid DPSF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 5.1 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Rear Diff: Acura AWD Fluid DPSF |
| Engine Coolant | Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 5.2 qt |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 54.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Flex or Driveplate Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 87.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 40 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Acura |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.0276-0.0295 in |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.11-1.22 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-14 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.11-1.22 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Capacity | 2.38-2.88 oz |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 71.1 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 75.3 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 71.1-75.3 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 14.5 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 58.0 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpms. rpm |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 37; Rear: 18 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 80 |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.079 in |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.079 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| 1 | Use a vehicle lift to raise and support the vehicle. Step 2 | 12 in |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 15 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Acura TLX follows a generation that peaked in 2015 with 340 complaints and 427 TSBs, subsequently maturing through 2020 with declining service activity and owner reports. While 2021 maintains relatively low complaint volume at 64 cases—comparable to 2020's 61 and significantly below the 2015 high—it marks a notable spike in technical service bulletins to 113, nearly triple the previous year's 48, alongside four recalls and two investigations. With zero fire complaints, only three crash-related complaints, and powertrain concerns leading categories at 19 cases, the federal data indicates manageable service activity rather than widespread defects. The subsequent 2022-2025 record shows continued improvement, with complaints dropping to 24 and TSBs to 79, confirming rapid post-2021 stabilization. Given the contained complaint volume and the generation's proven trajectory toward reliability, 2021 represents a sound purchase year provided maintenance records verify TSB-related service was performed.
All 64 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall…
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. Remedy: 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…
Showing 5 of 113 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B21674 | 2026-05-18 | Electrical System | Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable… |
| B25-048 | 2025-09-16 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and… |
| BTI&04092025901 | 2025-04-09 | Visibility/Wiper | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022- 2024… |
| BTI&02112025901 | 2025-02-12 | Suspension | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023… |
| BTI&01242025901 | 2025-01-24 | Suspension | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023… |
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.
5.1 qt of Acura 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.