2016 Acura TLX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Acura TLX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine4128.7%
- Electrical2416.8%
- Driver assistance2014.0%
- Powertrain (other)1510.5%
- Fuel system139.1%
- Visibility64.2%
- Brakes53.5%
- Steering42.8%
- Interior & seats32.1%
- Tires & wheels32.1%
- Airbags21.4%
- Body & structure21.4%
- Seat belts10.7%
- Suspension10.7%
- Other / unspecified10.7%
- Transmission10.7%
- Exterior lighting10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAWS system component failure causing the steering angle to misalign, throttle response to decrease, and drivability to decrease severely
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was cloudy and was not functioning because there was water inside the camera. While reversing, the driver was unable to see an image behind the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V423000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Unknown: EBS comes on as well as the break system problem lights and many more. Vehicle loses power and goes into limp mode. As of now it wont shift from PArking
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
Recall issued in January 2024 and still haven’t heard from Acura
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving on a main road stopped at an intersection and my car suddenly stopped it shifted my car to neutral I had to restart the car and drove home . I went online and started reading about that problem comes out to be it’s a fuel pump recall . I then look up my vin number and it says that there is no recall for it but I find it hard to believe because it’s having the same exact symptoms . Thank you have a blessed day
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V060000 (Fuel System, Other) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The backup camera on the rear simply went blurry one day, it’s now impossible to see out the camera. It worked one day then failed the next, This is a safety hazard now. I think these cameras should be required to always function. This is the camera on the trunk. It’s unsafe for me to see when back up.
DRIVING TO WORK 3/19/20 AT 7:15AM. THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE SHADE WAS OPEN AND GLASS SHARDS COVERED MY WIFE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES WITHIN A 1/4 MILE. THERE WERE NO BRIDGES SHE DROVE UNDER WITHIN A MILE. I CALLED AND SPOKE TO THE LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP ASKING IF THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN OR RECALL OR IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A COLLISION CENTER TO GET FIXED AS THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AS OF YET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Warning lights for Electric Parking Brake Problem and Emissions System Problem simultaneously occurring with no definitive solution. Codes can be cleared by disconnecting battery and reconnecting but warning lights eventually come back on sometimes in a matter or days, weeks or month. There are no other issues that coincide with these warning lights coming on.
While braking and attempting a left turn at an intersection, my vehicle completely shut down with no braking or steering control. Fortunately there were no damages and the vehicle started up again and I was able to clear the intersection. I took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for repair. They indicated that this was a known issue and they were familiar with it. They installed a battery sensor and did brake work as they said there was air in the system. I paid for the repair and approximately a month later, while slowing down for a red signal, the same thing occurred, only this time my vehicle impacted another vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. I had my vehicle towed to the shop that did the initial repair, but they said they could not find any codes that would indicate that their repairs were faulty.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAWS system component failure causing the steering angle to misalign, throttle response to decrease, and drivability to decrease severely
I SAW A MECHANIC AND FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. I CHECKED ON ACURAS WEBSITE AND THERE WAS A NOTICE THAT THEY RECALLED THIS CAR LAST YEAR WITH THE SAME EXACT THING THAT MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AND MY CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM OF THEIR RECALL. MY CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND I CALLED HEADQUARTERS CLIENT RELATIONS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND THAT IF I WANT IT FIXED THEN I HAVE TO FIX IT MYSELF. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON IN MY CAR MY BRAKE SYSTEM SAYS IT FAILED MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON, MY PARK BRAKE IS FLASHING, LANE ASSIST POPPING UP. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH ACURAS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS I DO!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the sunroof panel shattered without impact and glass fragments entered the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof panel to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. Consumer stated the glass came into the car nearly causing the car to lose control and crash.
ON MY 2016 ACURA TLX I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT PLASTIC TRIM THAT BREAKS EVERY OTHER YEAR AND FOR MULTIPLE OTHER OWNERS IT HAPPENS EVERY 9 MONTHS. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN YOU WANT TO ADJUST THE SEAT YOU CAN PUT YOUR FINGERS IN THE WHOLE AND CUT YOUR FINGERS. I AM OUTRAGED WHY NO RECALL IS DONE BY THIS POINT WHERE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM STARTING 2015 UNTILL 2019 FROM WHAT I SEE ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND I HAVE THE LINK TO ALL THOSE FORUMS IF NEEDED. I WENT TO ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED AT NO COST WHEN THE CAR WAS IN WARRANTY BUT NOW MY CAR IS NOT IN WARRANTY AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT FOR LESS THAN $460. I AM NOT PAYING $460 FOR A FAKE PREMIUM CAR WHEN THIS IS NOT MY FAULT BUT A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THEY PLACED A METAL PIECE RIGHT UNDER THE PLASTIC TRIM. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN OR DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX equipped with Cooper Tires, Tires Line: Evolution Tour, Tire Size: 225/50/R18, DOT Number: N/A. The contact stated that after driving 25 MPH over a small pothole, the front driver's side tire started bulging, causing the tire to vibrate while driving. The vehicle was taken to a tire mechanic, where the tire was replaced. The tire failure mileage was approximately 26,000. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the contact noticed that there was increasing vibration on passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that the passenger's side rear tire had failed, the bead had separated in the middle of the tread, and the tire had disintegrated and was deformed. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tire mechanic, where the tire was replaced. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed an hour later, the steering wheel was pulling significantly to the right, and there was vibration on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure increased significantly, and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the contact noticed that the inner side of the tire near the control arm was bulging, and there was a crack on the sidewall. The vehicle was taken to a tire mechanic, where the tire was replaced. The passenger's side tires failure mileage was approximately 26,100. The tires were replaced. The tires were replacement tires. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the defective tires for inspection and warranty claim. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to ship the defective tires for inspection. The tires failure mileage was approximately 26,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Tire size 225/55R17. - Sidewall separation on the inside portion of two tires (unable to identify from looking at tires on vehicle, this could go unnoticed by the driver). No tires were removed from Acura. I do have photos of this safety hazard. - Tires could have blown out while driving and a crash occurring injuring driver or other vehicles on the road. After seeing the tire separation they technicians advised not to drive car vehicle safety hazard. - Unknown if problem was able to be reproduced. - Tire was not inspected by any representative only Acura dealership technicians. - Yes, there were symptoms, when driving at low speeds under 20 mph a squeaky noise was heard, as speed increased the noise was more frequent.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Due to the deployment of the airbags, I sustained fractured sternum, right foot and left hand. Had surgery on left hand to repair fractured fingers. Laceration on right leg.
ON OR AROUND THE END OF MARCH OR FIRST OF APRIL 2018, I PURCHASED A ACURATLX 2016. IT WAS FROM AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT, HE HAD A CERTIFICATE OF 100% APPROVAL THAT EVERYTHING WAS PROPERLY WORKING FROM JERRY DAMSON ACURA DEALERSHIP IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. I TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. I PAID CASH FOR THE CAR, AND RECIEVED THE TITLE FROM HIM. MY MOTHER AND 4YR. OLD DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME. I PUT HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME (APPROX.90 MILES) BUT, WE HAD TO STOP AT A GAS STATION FIRST THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY. I DROVE APPROX. 3 MILES AND I PULL IN TO THE GAS STATION. I DROVE UP TO THE PUMP AND PUT IT IN PARK. I HAVE NOT OPENED MY DOOR OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER WERE HURTING IN THE MOST INTENSE PAIN. MY DAUGHTER WAS SCREAMING AND MY MOTHER HAD PULLED UP BESIDE ME IN HER CAR. AND MY EARS ARE RINGING AND I COULD SEE MY MOTHERS LIPS MOVING AND HER HANDS ARE MOVING UP AND DOWN. I FINALLY ROLLED DOWN THE BACK WINDOW (WERE MY DAUGHTER WAS). SHE SAID WHITE SMOKE ROLLED OUT OF THE WINDOW AS I WAS OPENING IT. I HEAR HER SCREAMING ARE YOU OK - SOMEONE FIRED A SHOTGUN WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE! AS I WAS LOOKING AROUND THIS WHITE SHEET COVERED MY SIDE OF THE CAR! THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED! HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED! IT WAS CLEARED 100% APPROVAL BY AN ACURA DEALERSHIP - JERRY DAMSON - IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ME HOW THIS COULD HAPPENED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
A warranty extension for 2015 Acura TLX was issued for vehicles painted B-588P Obsidian Blue Pearl or Fathom Blue Pearl. I have a 2016 Acura TLX with exact same paint and identical peeling issue. My car was assembled in 2015 but is a model year 2016. Acura refused to fix.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 (NA) ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST ON THE DRIVER SEAT WAS DESIGNED TO POINT FORWARD AND DOWN, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE LOWER BACK AND NECK PAIN AND NUMBNESS TO THE LEGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600. UPDATED 06/08/17*LJ *CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAWS system component failure causing the steering angle to misalign, throttle response to decrease, and drivability to decrease severely
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS ABOVE 70MPH. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP OVER 10 TIMES AND TOLD THE SAME THING OVER. THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SINCE THEIR TECHNICIANS ARE UNABLE TO TEST DRIVE OVER 55MPH SPEED LIMIT. WAS ALSO INFORMED BY A SALES REP THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, BUT ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ADEQUATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .