Total Complaints
144 filings
ACURA TLX · model year
144 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018ACURATLX carries 144 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 TLX is engine with 29 filings, followed by electrical system (16) and unknown or other (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2018 TLX, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
144 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 29 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 16 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 7 |
| STEERING | 6 |
| LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING | 5 |
| LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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 connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
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 didnât 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!
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 â 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 de
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 â 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 de
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 prio
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 prio
The engine has been making rattling noises when you start the vehicle from a long rest, mostly over night, since it has about 24k miles on it, when I purchased it used. I noticed it some time after I purchased it. Took it to Honda dealer in Hickory, NC, but they couldn't hear it. Later also took it to Acura dealer in Charlotte, NC. They couldn't hear it either. I recorded the sound and played it back to them.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, there was a valve tap coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that a rod had pushed through the wall of the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred three years later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased on September 10th, 2025, as a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 76,410. At the time of registration, when the title was received, it was discovered that the mileage was 176,410. The title read, "Not Actual Mileage, Mileage Tampering," which indicated odometer fraud had been detected. After ordering the Carfax Report, the report indicated that the mileage 176,000 miles at the time of purchase. The contact had not reported the odometer fraud to any other parties.
Mileage: 176,410
I got 5 lights on my dash stating that I have an auto high beam problem, road departure mitigation system problem, collision mitigation system problem, lane keeping assist problem, and adaptive cruise control problem. I got these lights on my dash at the exact same time and this happened 1 week after my car alarm started going off randomly. I will now have to change my windshield camera sensor. Seems like this is an issue with many Acura owners.
I got 5 lights on my dash stating that I have an auto high beam problem, road departure mitigation system problem, collision mitigation system problem, lane keeping assist problem, and adaptive cruise control problem. I got these lights on my dash at the exact same time and this happened 1 week after my car alarm started going off randomly. I will now have to change my windshield camera sensor. Seems like this is an issue with many Acura owners.
I got 5 lights on my dash stating that I have an auto high beam problem, road departure mitigation system problem, collision mitigation system problem, lane keeping assist problem, and adaptive cruise control problem. I got these lights on my dash at the exact same time and this happened 1 week after my car alarm started going off randomly. I will now have to change my windshield camera sensor. Seems like this is an issue with many Acura owners.
Date of incident : August 31,2025 Around 9pm on August 31, I was fixing to accelerate at a green light. I pressed the gas pedal, my car went up to 40 mph and then the engine failed. This is due to a recall on the bearing rods for 2015-2020 Acura TLX. The incident occurred a month after financing the car. I don't have a warranty, so I opened up a case with the manufacturer to get help with the repair cost (which is 25,500 for a new engine block and 2 new cylinder heads). Unfortunately, Acura denied assistance. The car only has 68880 miles on it. The rod snapped and put a hole through my engine block. Shame on the manufacturer for denying assistance. I'm now stuck making payments on a car I cannot drive. Yes I have insurance, but it was not involved in an accident so I'm helpless there.
Date of incident : August 31,2025 Around 9pm on August 31, I was fixing to accelerate at a green light. I pressed the gas pedal, my car went up to 40 mph and then the engine failed. This is due to a recall on the bearing rods for 2015-2020 Acura TLX. The incident occurred a month after financing the car. I don't have a warranty, so I opened up a case with the manufacturer to get help with the repair cost (which is 25,500 for a new engine block and 2 new cylinder heads). Unfortunately, Acura denied assistance. The car only has 68880 miles on it. The rod snapped and put a hole through my engine block. Shame on the manufacturer for denying assistance. I'm now stuck making payments on a car I cannot drive. Yes I have insurance, but it was not involved in an accident so I'm helpless there.
Date of incident : August 31,2025 Around 9pm on August 31, I was fixing to accelerate at a green light. I pressed the gas pedal, my car went up to 40 mph and then the engine failed. This is due to a recall on the bearing rods for 2015-2020 Acura TLX. The incident occurred a month after financing the car. I don't have a warranty, so I opened up a case with the manufacturer to get help with the repair cost (which is 25,500 for a new engine block and 2 new cylinder heads). Unfortunately, Acura denied assistance. The car only has 68880 miles on it. The rod snapped and put a hole through my engine block. Shame on the manufacturer for denying assistance. I'm now stuck making payments on a car I cannot drive. Yes I have insurance, but it was not involved in an accident so I'm helpless there.
While I was driving in the fwy I tried changed lanes and needed to speed so that incoming car wouldnât hit me but my car was stalling. It has happened 3 times!!! I took it to the dealership and they said itâs the camera and that they donât have the part on stock. I asked for a rental car meanwhile we wait for the part and they said they canât do that. I stated to them that the car is dangerous not only for me but for the public if I keep driving it like that. They said thereâs nothing they can do!
While I was driving in the fwy I tried changed lanes and needed to speed so that incoming car wouldnât hit me but my car was stalling. It has happened 3 times!!! I took it to the dealership and they said itâs the camera and that they donât have the part on stock. I asked for a rental car meanwhile we wait for the part and they said they canât do that. I stated to them that the car is dangerous not only for me but for the public if I keep driving it like that. They said thereâs nothing they can do!
I am from Philadelphia PA and I was driving my car on a highway in rural WV and the engine stalled while driving. I was lucky enough that no other cars were around and I was able to veer the car off the road into a parking lot. The car would not re-start. I had to tow my vehicle to a local mechanic shop who could not help. I was stranded out of state on a holiday weekend with no acura in a 2 hour radius. I ended up renting a u-haul and towing the car 8 hours from WV back to a local Acura in Philadelphia. Acura replaced the engine due to the known re-call but refused to cover the cost of the tow or U-haul.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), for a possible failure with the connecting rod, and the vehicle was repaired. Approximately 2-3 years after the recall repair, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power while accelerating. The contact coasted to the side of the road and became aware of oil leaking from the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with 4 blown pistons, causing the engine to fail. The contact stated that the previous recall stated that the engine would be replaced as needed. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was no longer covered because the vehicle exceeded the mileage and time limitations. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Mileage: 110,000
While driving, my vehicle has randomly shut off mid-drive on multiple occasions without warning. This has happened both at low speeds and on city roads, creating a serious safety risk as the engine cuts out without any dashboard lights, alerts, or codes. I lose power steering and acceleration, which could easily cause an accident if it happens at higher speeds or in traffic. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to reproduce. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times, but they have been unable to replicate the issue or find a cause through diagnostics. Honda has advised me to tow the vehicle the next time it happens, which is unreasonable given the uncertainty and safety risk of being stranded. At the time of each incident, there were no warning lights, error messages, or unusual noises. The vehicle has restarted after turning it off and on again, but the underlying cause remains unknown. I have opened a case with American Honda, but no reso
While driving, my vehicle has randomly shut off mid-drive on multiple occasions without warning. This has happened both at low speeds and on city roads, creating a serious safety risk as the engine cuts out without any dashboard lights, alerts, or codes. I lose power steering and acceleration, which could easily cause an accident if it happens at higher speeds or in traffic. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to reproduce. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times, but they have been unable to replicate the issue or find a cause through diagnostics. Honda has advised me to tow the vehicle the next time it happens, which is unreasonable given the uncertainty and safety risk of being stranded. At the time of each incident, there were no warning lights, error messages, or unusual noises. The vehicle has restarted after turning it off and on again, but the underlying cause remains unknown. I have opened a case with American Honda, but no reso
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.