FaultScore

Acura TLX engine problems

292 of the 1,341 complaints filed about the Acura TLX are about the engine — 22% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2015.

292

Complaints

22%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

4

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2015 TLX 96 32.9%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

2016 TLX 41 14.0%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

2017 TLX 33 11.3%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

2018 TLX 43 14.7%

Median failure at 60,500 miles

2019 TLX 44 15.1%

Median failure at 47,396 miles

2020 TLX 27 9.2%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2021 TLX 4 1.4%

Median failure at 93,039 miles

2022 TLX 2 0.7%
2024 TLX 1 0.3%
2025 TLX 1 0.3%

What owners said

2020 Acura TLX Marietta, GA

ENGINE

- 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 inoperable, leaving me unable to continue driving while being 300 miles away from home. This incident occurred at about 5-6AM, having to maneuver through traffic before the sunrise. This created a serious safety risk because surrounding vehicles were traveling at full speed increasing the risk of collision. There were no warning signs of this failure and I was unfortunately stranded on the highway in an unfamiliar town for hours with minors in the vehicle. -Yes, the vehicle was towed to a local dealeriship, Hahira Automotive Services, where the engine failure occurred and they confirmed that they were unable to start the car and the knocking sound was indicative of engine failure. I towed the car to an Acura dealership local to my home and they confirmed the same vehicle condition and that a takedown is required to fully inspect the engine. -The engine has not been inspected by anyone only the vehicle condition -There were no warning signs of engine failure prior to the incident

NHTSA complaint #11754884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Acura TLX at 120,000 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel failed to responded as needed. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was restarted but stalled immediately. The contact inspected the vehicle but found no fault. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11752202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX Fort Worth, TX

ENGINE

My 2017 Acura TLX stalled dangerously on the highway due to an unexpected fuel delivery failure, creating an immediate traffic hazard. Hiley Acura of Fort Worth diagnosed the vehicle with code P0087 (Low Fuel Rail Pressure) and confirmed it needs a new low-pressure fuel pump assembly for $1,540.62. They also pulled code P0430 (Catalyst System Efficiency) showing my front catalytic converter has failed, costing $2,461.77.The low-pressure fuel pump failure starved the engine of fuel, causing the highway stall. This fueling issue directly overheated and destroyed the catalytic converter substrate.This pump failure is the core subject of the Oliver v. Honda class action lawsuit. Honda previously issued a temporary corporate software update on my vehicle that deliberately altered how the computer reads errors, masking the physical fuel pump defect. This software update is the exact reason my car currently shows no open recalls on standard databases, despite still containing the defective, unreplaced factory hardware. This temporary software fix has now failed, resulting in a dangerous highway stall, and Honda is using the software-cleared VIN status to deny safety coverage.

NHTSA complaint #11750596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Acura TLX Wichita, KS

ENGINE

On 07/01/2026, at approximately 8:00 AM, during steady acceleration, flashing of MIL with loss of power presented northbound after merging from 235 west bound to I-135 north bound near Park City, KS. Particularly dangerous resulting in near rear end collision. Upon taking nearest exit ramp, attached BlueDriver .OBD II reader, and fault code P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire and U0401-68 PGM-Fi/ECM/PCM system event code was logged, with multiple warning indicators that safety system, AWD, brake, and other systems were disabled. Note, vehicle has had TSB 20-053 update w/ flash of PGM-Fi which did not resolve the fault, fault associated with hot and humid climates or period of rain fall, apparent water vapor, condensate build up in intercooler. For Honda Accord and Acura RDX w/ 4 cylinder 2.0 TDGI engine TSB includes redesigned intercooler replacement, that is not available for TLX 21-25 which is currently out of production. This has occurred previously during humid and hot weather, but no intermittent flashing MIL does not store code. Thankful in this instance P0303 and U0401-68 code is stored, and scheduling service at dealership to diagnose misfire.

NHTSA complaint #11747673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

I have this car 2017 acura tlx v6 shawd from acura dealership 3months already. I hear little knocking sound from my bottom block.

NHTSA complaint #11745329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Acura TLX Montrose, CO

ENGINE

This vehicle was sold to me on July 18, 2025 with Campaign CH7 open and unperformed. The dealer's disclosure form falsely stated that I had been informed of all recalls with the vehicle. No specific mention of Campaign CH7 was ever made. Separately, Acura manufacturer records (eVRM/Techline) confirm that this vehicle's original engine was previously replaced under warranty following a seizure (Defect Code: SEIZED) — directly related to the defect type covered by the CH7 recall. The replacement engine subsequently seized approximately eight months after I purchased the vehicle. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether the open Campaign CH7 recall contributed to the engine failure, and whether FSL Motors' practice of selling vehicles with open recalls while falsely certifying recall disclosure warrants further review.

NHTSA complaint #11745218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Acura TLX Abbeville, SC

ENGINE

Driving car and suddenly all the lights on the dash light up and car goes into “limp” mode. Upon pulling over turning car off and turning back on lights are all still lit up. Plug car into obd2 scanner and car is showing code p0087 low fuel rail pressure. This is extremely dangerous as the car will randomly do this and will go into limp mode which can easily cause me to get into an accident. No active recalls on this but I’m seeing this is a common issue with these Acura tlx models. Why hasn’t this issue been addressed yet Acura?! For reference I drive a 2018 Acura tlx base model 2.4 cylinder

NHTSA complaint #11742504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE

Vehicle has been recalled for a speed sensor issue that still persists. Recall repair was NOT properly executed. Vehicle engine still randomly shuts off while in idle at stoplights and during travel. Engine won’t start at this point.

NHTSA complaint #11741898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX Center Point, AL

ENGINE

My car broke down on 04/05/2026 on the highway at a light with on coming traffic.I took it to express oil change 04/06/2026 they told me my car need a crankshaft so I proceeded to get more information and come to find out it was a recall on the crankshafts on my car. This is the second recall I have had done to my car the first recall was for the motor. This second one is for the crankshaft recall number- CH7. I was told by Acura a month and a half after them having my car that the serial number on my motor doesn’t fall up under the recall, but my vin number does and there saying they can not fix my car. Only had this motor for 2 or 3 years from the first recall it had on it.

NHTSA complaint #11741304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Acura TLX Long Beach, CA

ENGINE

I bought my 2018 Acura TLX a-spec V6 in Nov. 2021, certified pre-owned from an Acura dealer. It had warranty through 100k miles. At just under 70k miles, around mid-2023 I believe, the engine seized and would not start. Warranty covered engine replacement. This was just around the time of the 3.6L V6 engine recall. I waited on the recall because the engine was brand new at that point. A year or so later, deal did inspect the engine for recall, but determined it was not part of the recall. Come current to late April 2026, just before engine #2 hit 70k miles (total miles on car ~139,000), engine has seized again. Driving on freeway and car went into limp mode, thankfully close to home and made it safely. Had car towed next day to mechanic who sent a video of the knocking noise (can send video if requested; unable to upload here) and refused to work on it. He later drove the car down the block and that is when engine completely failed; no longer would turn on. Towed home, towed to dealer a week ½ later when they had opening. Dealer performed diagnostic and confirmed crankshaft seized. However, now, well past warranty coverage. I called Acura customer relations and opened a case; they will only cover "half" of the engine replacement, at a cost of $13,817 to me. My car is less than 10 years old, less than 150k miles overall and should NOT need engine #3. Will same issue happen after another 70k miles? Acura refuses to acknowledge and take care of it 100%.

NHTSA complaint #11740489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Acura TLX Dallas, TX

ENGINE

I am formally requesting a neutral third-party arbitration review under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to compel American Honda Motor Co. to provide a permanent mechanical remedy—specifically, the sourcing and installation of a brand-new, redesigned engine assembly (Engine #Four)— This vehicle frame is now on its third engine block. Car was bought 11/30/2024. At Grubbs Acura, fuel pump safety recall that involves flashing/re-calibrating the Engine Control Unit (FI-ECU) software was done. Just a few weeks after new fuel pump, the vehicle displayed sudden stalling symptoms. The engine suffered a terminal, catastrophic internal collapse. The vehicle was towed to Grubbs Acura where Corporate Honda directed a forced out-of-pocket internal engine teardown. The physical teardown explicitly confirmed a catastrophic connecting rod bearing failure (spun bearing) identical to the structural manufacturing flaws currently under active federal investigation by the NHTSA under Preliminary Evaluation PE25008 / RQ24-025. Corporate Honda subsequently issued a verbal agreement to fully reimburse my out-of-pocket teardown fees. Because a manufacturer will never fund diagnostic labor if evidence of owner fault is present, this corporate reimbursement serves as formal validation that no owner maintenance neglect occurred, and that the engine died exclusively from an inherent component defect. Gunn Acura (San Antonio, TX) confirmed with my vin, that Engine #3 was a warranty/dealer-installed replacement unit at 22,000 miles. It failed after less than 40,000 miles of total operation. A professionally manufactured and dealer-installed engine is reasonably expected to last well beyond 40,000 miles. The manufacturer network cannot utilize arbitrary part-ownership rules or uncooperative, fragmented dealer communications. The original factory-installed engine and the dealer-installed replacement engine both suffered identical connecting rod bearing failures.

NHTSA complaint #11740358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Acura TLX at 93,039 miles Orange, CA

ENGINE

I drive a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0 L turbo 4 cylinder. I was driving to work on [XXX] on a busy street in Boyle Heights, Ca. When all of sudden I get a warning indicator “engine temp is high do not drive”. Pulled over immediately. Good thing I was in the far right lane and was able to pull over and not stall or get rear ended by another vehicle behind me. There were no warning, symptoms and indicators of the engine's overheating. My vehicle has been in great condition prior with no major or minor issues with my vehicle. We took it to two dealerships for diagnostics. The head gasket blown, empty coolant reservoir, cracked engine block, and other parts of the engine were affected. What if I was on a highway and the car stalled. I could’ve been seriously injured or seriously injured someone else on the road. Acura corporate is aware of our situation and refuse to own their engine safety defects. They want us to pay out of pocket to repair our vehicle. My car is 5 years old there is no way out of nowhere my vehicle should have this type of engine issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11739131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Acura TLX Durham, NC

ENGINE

The emergency brake system continues to come on and read all the type of stuff on the screen, as well as the LKAS keeps coming on the screen showing problems and when it does, the transmission or engines stalls a little and slows up and speed down on its on

NHTSA complaint #11733172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX at 142,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2017 Acura TLX. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) but the fix failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that after the repair was performed, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately five times to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the oil rings on the fuel injector had detached. The oil rings were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #11729524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Acura TLX Gardners, PA

ENGINE

I have a 2016 Acura TLX 3.5L j35Y6 AWD that initially Had the safety recall XG1 and the engine was replaced at roughly 140k miles, 40k miles later the replacement engine suffered the same problem, and I am aware that I am not the only person this has happened to as there is currently a NHTSA investigation PE25008 that is related to these replacement engines failing. I have pushed the dealership for full replacement as this is not right and they have not budged as to the replacement. there were no warning lamps as to before the failure. the engine just threw me into limp mode.

NHTSA complaint #11726785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Acura TLX Fresno, CA

ENGINE

Vehicle displays two warnings under normal usage. First warning is Emissions system issue and second is Brake System Failure. The Vehicle runs completely normal and operational, however these two warnings flash on the vehicle. The parking brake indicator also flashes. Vehicle has been to dealership/shop for multiple repairs; around 3-4 repairs within two months with no resolve for the same warning/issue.

NHTSA complaint #11724835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Acura TLX Clarksville, MD Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

My 2017 Acura was involved in a low-speed collision where it failed to stop in a timely manner, resulting in a total loss declaration. This vehicle had open safety recalls (including the fuel pump/rod bearing issues) that remained unrepaired for over 1.5 years. Despite multiple inquiries, the manufacturer failed to provide a repair timeline or remedy. I believe these unresolved defects directly contributed to the braking failure and subsequent safety incident.

NHTSA complaint #11721285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Acura TLX Minneapolis, MN

ENGINE

My engine has been replaced under warranty for connecting rod bearings failing before the recall 23V-751 existed. 40,000 miles later it failed again. I have paper work and other information available upon request. The vehicle is currently on it's third short block replaced by Acura. No CEL or anything prior to when the knocking started.

NHTSA complaint #11718417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Acura TLX Brecksville, OH

ENGINE

PE 25008 The engine knock started on 12/22/25. Motorcars Acura recommended get a case number & have the 2020 TLX towed in for a diagnostic. Online case # XXX Towed to Motorcars on 12/23/25. Talked to Michelle with customer relations & she was going to call Motorcars for info. Motorcars, without my permission, pulled the oil pan & inspected the bearings. #6 rod bearing failed. On 1/15/26, Michelle with customer relations told me that they will not offer reimbursement to repair. I told Motorcars to do the repair on 1/15/26. Picked up the car on 1/21/26 Info & pictures attached. I told Michelle I hope you reconsider reimbursing me for the repairs. As I told Michelle, I am very loyal to Acura as I own (4) Acura’s. Now two of them have engine issue. The 2020 TLX rod bearing issue that was not included in the recall & my 2012 MDX with the 3.7 oil consumption issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11714897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Acura TLX Alameda, CA

ENGINE

The vehicle experienced vibration symptoms and stalled on the road. The day before it stalled, there were rattling noises which prompted me to take the car to the dealership the next day. I had just received the letter about the recall so I knew it was likely related. The car was towed to the Acura dealership but the dealership denied recall coverage, stating the engine number did not match the recall list. During the discovery process, it was later discovered that the engine had been swapped by the dealership in 2018 — a fact that was not disclosed to me at the time of my purchase. The installed engine still falls within the recall defect interval of 2015-2020 but they are resistant to repair. Upon initial inspection of the vehicle, the dealership found metal shavings in the oil indicating internal engine damage. The manufacture requested my oil change records suggesting that this was my fault. I presented the oil change receipts but they still refused recall coverage and the dealership requested approximately $5,000 for diagnostics, if determined my fault. If it is determined that the defect damaged the engine, they will cover the 5k. After several weeks of inspection and going through the manufacture recall process, the dealership determined the recall issue applies my car. However, due to the engine number not on the “list” they are denying my recall coverage. They are seeking $25k for service repairs. After almost 2 months of back and forth, I have been misled and misinformed. I am struggling to get my car repaired under recall.

NHTSA complaint #11710731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Acura TLX problems