2022 Acura TLX Type S

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure reduces vehicle directional control. Most traditional AWD systems utilize mechanical and passive measures. These systems have the tendency to distribute torque along the path of least resistance, such as a wheel that has lost contact with the ground or is on a low friction surface such as ice. To compensate for this, many manufacturers use the brake system to redirect torque to the wheels with more traction.  However, in this style of AWD system, a failed drive shaft or similar disconnection prior to the brakes often results in drive power being lost to the disconnected component. The consequence of this loss is the inability to maintain speed with surrounding traffic which increases the risks of collisions and injuries to the vehicle occupants. The Subject Vehicles are built upon a platform that was designed primarily as Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The SH-AWD system functions more as a performance enhancement feature rather than a stability feature. Even if the SH-AWD is nonoperational, the vehicles retain full mobility via FWD. In addition, the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) remains functional, ensuring directional stability through traditional engine and brake-based traction control. Although the condition raised by the Petitioner may degrade the vehicle’s performance characteristics, there is insufficient information to indicate a potential unreasonable safety risk. ODI reviewed 62 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several EWR Field Reports alleging the loss of SH-AWD and its impact on the driving dynamics of the subject vehicles. During its analysis, ODI determined that the failure is localized to the mechanical interface between the FWD transaxle and the PTU. Specifically, the failure is the shearing or stripping of the interfacing splined shafts between the FWD transaxle and the PTU, resulting in a permanent loss of torque transfer to the rear of the vehicle. Upon reviewing the technical details of SH-AWD, ODI has found that this failure does not result in any loss of motive power or lead to a loss of vehicle control. Several complaints indicated that the operators were unaware of the mechanical fault until encountering a low friction surface or the condition was identified by a technician during routine maintenance. The SH-AWD system lacks any form of direct feedback for monitoring real time torque transfer to the rear wheels. Therefore, the system will continue to display information indicating power is being supplied to the rear wheels even when power is actually only supplied to the front wheels. ODI’s review did not identify sufficient evidence to indicate that the misinformation has presented a safety issue in the field. ODI did not identify any reports of loss of motive power or vehicle control that could be attributed to the loss of SH-AWD. ODI is not aware of any crashes involving the Subject Vehicles that resulted from the loss of SH-AWD. After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the Petitioner, consumer complaint information in NHTSA’s databases, and other relevant information already in possession of the Agency, NHTSA has not found sufficient evidence to indicate that the loss of AWD as alleged by the Petitioner is likely to present a safety related defect that would warrant a formal investigation. After full consideration of the available information, and in view of NHTSA’s enforcement priorities, the Petition is denied.  A denial report will be posted in the Federal Register.  The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11712885.

Subject: Vehicle Data Submission for Investigation DP26001 To the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), ​I am submitting maintenance data for my Acura TLX Type S (VIN: [ВСТАВ ТУТ VIN]) to assist with the ongoing DP26001 investigation regarding the AWD Transfer Case (PTO) splines. The vehicle is a US-specification model currently operated in [XXX] . ​Maintenance Facts: ​At 29,000 km (18,000 miles): PTO fluid was changed. Metallic debris was observed in the fluid. ​At 43,000 km (26,700 miles): PTO fluid was changed again. Silver metallic shavings and "glitter" were clearly present. A magnetic drain plug was installed during this service to capture further debris. ​Symptoms: The vehicle experiences harsh downshifts and mechanical clunking at low speeds in traffic. ​I am providing this to ensure the failure rate is accurately tracked globally. Please add this VIN and data to the DP26001 file. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11729471

Incident

Apr 4, 2026

Rapid loss of oil from the transfer case, Oil was everywhere. Now I have vibration, wooing sound and hard down shifts from a failing transfer case.. The dealership refuse to replace it because they cleaned the area and it did not leak oil again. Probably, because there's no more oil left in it to leak.This is unacceptable.

NHTSA ID

11728394

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

My Acura was not sending power to the rear wheels. The car was driving as if it was front wheel drive only. I feel that the safety of not knowing your vehicle is not acting as they all-wheel-drive vehicle when it’s supposed to an impact safety because the vehicle would not be able to handle as it was intended to. After inspection from the Mechanic shop, the failure was deemed to be the internal lines of the transmission that would connect with the transfer case were stripped. Because of that, there was no power being sensor to the transfer case that will then send power to the rear differential to the rear wheels. There were no warning lights that show that the car is not sending power to the back wheel wheels. The situation that happened at realize that this problem has occurred, was when the front of my vehicle was stuck in snow and the car was unable to get out even when the back wheels were on solid floor.

NHTSA ID

11723118

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

Complete loss of AWD. Car is now only FWD with NO WARNING. Loud thud (transfer case splines being stripped) and then immediate loss of AWD.

NHTSA ID

11722739

Incident

Mar 7, 2026

Transmission and transfer case failed. Traction control light flashes when accelerating.

NHTSA ID

11693166

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

The component that failed or malfunctioned was the transmission and transfer case on my 2022 Acura TLX type S at 45K miles. I was driving the car on the street and the car was shaking and stuttering violently and at certain points it would not move requiring a tow. The problem was confirmed by the dealership to be the transmission. And inspected by the manufacturer (Acura) there were no warning, lights, messages or other symptoms prior to failure. They started appearing around 45,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11667007

Incident

Jun 4, 2025

Blown transfer case

NHTSA ID

11666444

Incident

Jun 11, 2025

Went to accelerate and heard LOUD bang. Transfer case shaft snapped internally into transmission. Transfer case AND transmission assembly both replaced under warranty. Will happen again in another 40-50k miles.

NHTSA ID

11642839

Incident

Jan 21, 2025

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2023 TLX ADV’s and 2021-2025 TLX Type S’s with a client complaint of the “Adaptive Damper System Problem” (ADS) error message on the MID (Multi Information Display). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.