Acura TLX Complaints

946 consumer complaints on file.

#11746693June 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Went to the Acura dealer for an oil change. Was told I have a leak in the transmission and transfer case and that both will need to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745535June 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I discovered an active fluid leak from the transmission/transfer case area of my 2024 Acura TLX Type S. Fluid was visibly running down the drivetrain case, collecting around the mating area between the transmission and transfer case, and accumulating on the underbody splash shield. I bought the vehicle to an Acura dealer for inspection and they stated that this appears to be a known issue. They suspected the leak may be from the seal between the transmission and transfer case. However, instead of repairing or replacing the suspected seal or the conditions of the splines, I was advised to continue driving the vehicle for approximately 3,000 additional miles to see if more fluid leakage develops. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This creates a safety concern because continued fluid loss from the transmission and transfer case could lead to drive drain damage, abnormal shifting, transfer case failure, sudden loss of propulsion, or possible loss of vehicle control while driving. Leaking fluid could also drip onto the roadway or nearby hot components. There were no warning lights or dashboards messages before I discovered the leak from my driveway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745329June 20, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have this car 2017 acura tlx v6 shawd from acura dealership 3months already. I hear little knocking sound from my bottom block.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745218June 19, 2026
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744119June 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Car randomly goes into neutral and stays in neutral not allowing gear change
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743771June 12, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Vehicle consistently pulls to right and on grooved concrete acts in abnormal way, weaving withing the lane. I have taken to Acura to try to diagnose - they tell me there is no adjustment they can make. I have tried with Honda corporate, but they want me to go back for another diagnosis on the car at Acura. At this time there is no reason to duplicate efforts or time. I have also taken to independent shops and they indicate they cannot correct the problem also.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743423June 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2021 Acura TLX Type S SH-AWD. Total mechanical failure of PTU/transfer case spline interface at 29,800 miles within factory powertrain warranty. Vehicle operated silently in FWD-only with no warning lights, no fault codes, and no dashboard alerts — consistent with all complaints cited in NHTSA Defect Petition DP26001 (opened March 6, 2026, NHTSA #11712885). Failure confirmed by dealer via lift test: propeller shaft and rear wheels stationary while fronts spun. During actuator test, Check AWD System light illuminated for the first time — because the lift removed road-induced wheel rotation that had masked the failure from the ECU throughout normal driving. This is the only condition under which this failure mode is electronically detectable. Dealer replaced transmission (remanufactured ATR kit) and PTU under warranty. Repair took 38 days. CRITICAL-THIRD PTU REVISION: Replacement PTU installed was part #29000-5YK-070. Known revision history: -050 (original, confirmed failure part) → 060 (revised ~2022) → 070 (installed June 2026). The 070 does not appear in any public OEM parts database. Acura has now revised this component three times with zero TSBs, zero public disclosure of engineering changes, and no recall. The 070 revision appearing after DP26001 opened in March 2026 suggests a silent root cause fix while avoiding formal recall obligations. CRITICAL-DPSM GOODWILL CLAUSE: Acura required acceptance of "One Time Goodwill Authorized by DPSM" as condition of repair. This was a warranty obligation, not a goodwill gesture. This clause was imposed while DP26001 is under active federal review, before factory warranty expires, with no confirmed root cause fix. If the 070 part fails again, this clause may be used to deny future warranty coverage. Requesting: (1) complaint added to DP26001 record; (2) Acura compelled to disclose engineering changes between part numbers 050, 060, 070; (3) investigation of DPSM Goodwill clause as systematic pre-recall liability limiation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743370June 10, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743085June 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The keyless access unit broke around 100k miles. Car acted like it was having a seizure. If car was locked, alarm goes off nonstop (during these episodes, which are intermittent) and all dash lights and head lights blink on and off over and over in quick succession. If car was not locked, only the lights had a seizure, there would be no audible alarm. Seemed to happen more near towers (cell towers, fire station broadcast tower, absolutely could not leave the car alone in nyc and had to go home). So so so embarrassing. So many people with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743017June 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The AWD components fail and turns the car into front wheel drive only. Yes it’s available. This puts mine and others after at risk due to expecting the car to accelerate at a full stop instead, it causes me to slowly accelerate <5 mph until the system recognizes it’s in FWD only. I fear that someone will rear end me expecting the car to go faster than it can in that moment. Yes, this has been reported to a reputable dealer and was told they could not create the issue once clears after turning car off and back on again. This car has not been inspected by anyone other than the local Acura dealership. There were no prior warnings other than when it was cuts out. This pops up on the dash and is effective immediately putting the car into a limp state. This is happening one a week and has been occurring for once the car hit ~40k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742990June 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transfer case spines have stripped and I no longer have all wheel drive only front wheel drive. This is a huge safety hazard for me .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742504June 6, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741898June 3, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741697June 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I am submitting this complaint in reference to NHTSA Defect Petition DP26001, opened March 6, 2026, investigating loss of all-wheel drive capability in 2021-2023 Acura TLX vehicles due to interfacing spline failure between the transmission and the power takeoff unit (transfer case). I am the owner of a 2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD with 55,300 miles. I purchased this vehicle on June 2nd, 2026. I have not yet experienced a failure, but I am registering as an affected vehicle owner given the known defect pattern documented in DP26001 and consistent with the 137,329-vehicle population identified in the NHTSA investigation. The failure mode as described in DP26001 involves stripping of splines at the transmission-to-PTU junction, resulting in sudden and complete loss of rear-wheel drive without warning lights or dashboard indication. Documented repair costs for this failure range from $5,000 to $19,000 depending on extent of damage. I am registering this complaint to be included in the documented owner population should the petition escalate to a formal defect investigation or recall. I request notification of any recall action, extended warranty coverage determination, or technical service bulletin issued for this failure pattern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741304June 1, 2026
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741431June 1, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
El problema es exactamente en el tanque de la gasolina, se está saliendo la gasolina en la unión de la manguera de llenado con el tanque de gasolina. Esto representa un riesgo no solo para mi seguridad sino también para cualquier persona.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741121May 31, 2026
POWER TRAIN
While accelerating from a stop, I heard a loud bang from the drivetrain area and initially believed another vehicle had struck the rear of my car. After checking my surroundings, I realized there had been no collision. Immediately after the incident, the vehicle lost power delivery to the rear wheels. The vehicle is designed as an all-wheel-drive performance sedan, and the sudden loss of rear-wheel power significantly changed the way the vehicle handled. The vehicle became effectively front-wheel drive without warning, causing all engine power to be directed through the front wheels. This resulted in reduced traction, altered handling characteristics, and increased front tire wear. No warning lights, messages, or indicators appeared on the dashboard before or at the time of the failure. There were no symptoms that alerted me that a drivetrain failure was about to occur. The vehicle was inspected by an Acura dealership, and Acura confirmed failure of the transfer case and transmission components associated with the all-wheel-drive system. The transfer case and transmission are currently being replaced under the manufacturer's drivetrain warranty. I believe this failure created a safety risk because the vehicle unexpectedly lost its intended all-wheel-drive capability while in operation. Drivers rely on the handling, traction, and stability characteristics of the SH-AWD system. The sudden and unannounced loss of rear-wheel power changed the vehicle's behavior and could increase the risk of loss of control, particularly during acceleration, cornering, emergency maneuvers, or operation in poor weather conditions. The failed components are available for inspection through Acura as part of the warranty repair process.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741149May 31, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The alarm on my car would intermittently and randomly go off at any time while car was parked and locked. After much research I deduced that it is the Smart Power Control Unit located behind the glove box. The epoxy clear covering on the circuit board is not fully covering the entire board allowing for dendritic growth and random surges. These surges can cause the alarm to go on and off, the head lights to turn on and off, and instrument panels to go haywire. I haven't experienced this issue while driving but it could certainly happen, which would obviously be very dangerous. I did not take it in to a mechanic or dealer to reproduce the problem, however I have confirmed with others with various honda models having the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741072May 30, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both headlight lenses on my 2019 Acura TLX developed severe internal stress cracking (crazing) with no external damage of any kind. The cracking appears to originate from inside the housing, consistent with heat stress or a manufacturing defect. Both headlights cracked identically and simultaneously, which rules out accidental damage. Acura corporate has denied a goodwill repair, classifying this as normal wear and tear. Estimated repair cost is $4,000. I believe this is a manufacturing defect and may affect other 2019 Acura TLX owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740489May 27, 2026
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%.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Acura TLX