2018 Acura TLX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: January 10, 2024 · Filed: October 29, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, there was an engine knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate properly and decelerated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and the engine short block was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that there were metal shavings inside the engine oil pan. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the repair for the recall was revised to include replacement of the engine long block. The failure mileage was 40,600.

Incident: October 14, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearings had failed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 147,000.

Incident: September 29, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine started knocking. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the closest dealer was a two-hour drive from the residence. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Incident: September 14, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

I own a 2018 Acura TLX with approximately 41,384 miles. While driving, multiple safety-system warnings suddenly appeared simultaneously, including: Lane Keeping Assist Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Auto High-Beam Problem Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Brake System warning I safely stopped the vehicle, shut it off, and restarted it. The warnings initially disappeared but later returned, including when I started the vehicle to take it to the Acura dealership. An authorized Acura dealership inspected the vehicle and retrieved multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including U3000-49, indicating an internal electronic failure associated with the multipurpose camera/driver-assistance system. The dealership cleared the codes, retested the vehicle, and confirmed that the fault returned. The technician also tested the battery, alternator, starter, and camera ground. The brake system was inspected, and no separate braking problem was identified. The dealership diagnosed a failed monocular camera requiring replacement. Safety concern: Multiple driver-assistance systems became unavailable unexpectedly while I was driving, including collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The simultaneous failure of these systems creates a safety concern because the vehicle's collision-prevention and driver-assistance features may be unavailable without advance warning. The dealership quoted approximately $2,400 for the camera replacement. The vehicle has only 41,384 miles. I have photographs and video documenting the dashboard warnings, as well as the dealership's diagnostic trouble code report and repair estimate. These records are available upon request. I am submitting this complaint to document the unexpected failure of multiple driver-assistance safety systems and request that NHTSA evaluate whether this represents a potential safety-related defect.

Incident: May 30, 2026 · Filed: June 10, 2026

I’ve bought my 2018 Acura TLX used from Holiday Mazda in [XXX] in XXX Now that my nightmare with the Auto Engine Idle is over(the shop that replaced my starter in November 2025 some how got it so it doesn’t work anymore. But that’s not my issue. I’ve had this issues 5-8 times in the last 2 years. I will be driving and my top screen in in the dash(it usually displays navigation, CarPlay, etc) will turn off and flash a couple times. Then it take out my “radio” screen. It’s like it’s resetting because the screens remind me when it electronics reset snd start up. It goes for a total of 2-3 times. Thank the Good Lord my car keeps driving safely. Here is the second issue. I’ve had my parking, forward collision, and the one where it says” object approaching.” Off for 2 years now. When they are on they will start beeping and freaking out. I’ve cleaned in front of wheee those cameras are located. I’ve researched online. And can’t figure it out. Now that I have my newly licensed son ([XXX] old) driving the car I want to get every safety issue working. Acura can’t figure it out and so I don’t know Where else to turn. A fiend recommended I do This. I do have video of these things happening. I can included them if asked to. Thank you. Ps. I wasn’t able to upload video, I can email them if you send me an email address I’ll get it to you asap. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 24, 2026 · Filed: June 6, 2026

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

Incident: April 29, 2026 · Filed: May 27, 2026

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%.

Incident: June 30, 2023 · Filed: February 11, 2026

I was rolling up to a stop light at approximately 20 mph when the frontal crash mitigation feature suddenly slammed the brakes on fully to a complete stop. I searched the web and found that there are other owners of this model that have had similar occurrences. I could easily have been rear-ended if someone had been following. I was lucky that didn’t happen. Since that day, I have been afraid to drive the car until I have disabled the feature.So every time I start my car I have to disable this mode. There is no known fix. No technical service bulletins etc. regarding this problem. Honda Acura needs to find a solution to this. I should not have to disable a safety feature that is actually making my car unsafe!

Incident: November 19, 2025 · Filed: January 13, 2026

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.

Incident: January 12, 2026 · Filed: January 12, 2026

While performing routine maintenance on my 2018 Acura TLX, I discovered a critical structural failure in the front right (passenger side) lower control arm. The factory weld connecting the stamped steel control arm to the compliance bushing housing has failed and separated. Visual inspection reveals a clear manufacturing defect: there is a significant crater and void in the weld bead, indicative of incomplete fusion or a "start/stop" error during the manufacturing process. This is a latent structural defect, not a stress fracture from mileage or impact. The weld has begun to separate from the housing, leaving a visible gap. Safety Risk: This failure compromises the suspension geometry and structural integrity of the vehicle. If the weld completes its separation while driving, it would result in the control arm detaching from the subframe, leading to immediate loss of steering control, wheel collapse, and a high probability of a collision. Status: No warning lights were illuminated prior to discovery. The vehicle has not been involved in any collisions that would affect this component. The defective part is currently on the vehicle but is available for inspection by NHTSA or manufacturer representatives upon request.