2017 Acura TLX Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11743085

Incident

Jul 14, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11741898

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Electronic parking brake and check emissions system lights going on simultaneously. Car stalled on freeway and check transmission light also went on simultaneously. Very dangerous. Multiple reports submitted for similar issue by many people. Please look into this. Acura needs a recall on these TLX models

NHTSA ID

11636578

Incident

Jan 16, 2025

Car experiences intermittent electrical system failure. Upon failure, drivers will experiance random and rapid clicking, clanking, and electrical systems discharging like lights, screens, and alarm. After restarting the car, users will find, all warning lights displayed with a few blinking: transmission, parking brake, traction control, a few more. Headlights will randomly turn on, as well as the alarm, intermittently. All ADAS offline. Experienced sudden system failure causing all ADAS to fail while stationary/parked or moving/(actively driving on highway). Does actively affect driving ability more specifically: disrupts steering ability, causes random malfunctions with electrical components, cannot exceed 40 mph, car will not shift above 3rd gear, engine does seem much louder. After a thorough investigation/diagnosis with the dealership I concluded the main fault is due to the "Smart Power Control Unit" located behind the glovebox compartment of the vehicle. More specifically, one of the chips on the circuit board is not fully coated with sealant from the factory, leading to a potential for some kind of mold, dust, or organic growth to form and short one of the ground pins on the end of the chip. Driver States: This is a control unit failure, I believe a small short on a single ground pin with the positively charged chip housing was causing a short within the control unit circuit board where the chip was not fully covered with non-conductive coating/sealant. This caused a handful of issues, like electrical systems prematurely wearing due to rapid discharge of electronics. Impairs drivers ability and ability in turning, braking, and accelerating. Also car will roll backwards if driver is not careful. BIGGEST CONCERNS: FIRE, partial loss of control while driving, and premature wear on electrical components. A extra note: Disconnecting battery does temporarily fix issue but rarely, most time it will start discharging electrical systems immediately or in the day.

NHTSA ID

11605241

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the A/C activated, the braking system, Lane Departure, Forward Collision Avoidance, and transmission messages were displayed. Additionally, the brakes engaged without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving in a rainstorm, and on a humid weather day. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.

NHTSA ID

11582199

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Mileage

52,000 mi

Alarm system goes off randomly. Alarm does not “beep” when you press the key fob. Hood latch sensor is the problem.

NHTSA ID

11497210

Incident

Dec 10, 2022

AFTER COMPLETING GROCERY SHOPPING IN WALMART I RETUNED TO MY PARKED VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT AND, TO MY HORROR THE CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2017 ACURA TLX THAT I JUST TOOK DELIVERY ON 12/23/20 WOULD NOT START. GOT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR JUMP START, CAR STARTED BUT COULD NOT PUT IN REVERSE, DRIVE, OR NEUTRAL. DASH PANEL WAS LIT UP WITH MULTIPLE WARNINGS INDICATED. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY SO HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE A MILE AWAY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPENED FOR ME TO TOW THERE. DISGUSTINGLY I DID NOT MAKE A FULL MONTH FROM DELIVERY DATE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I WAS FORCED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO MY RESIDENCE A MILE AWAY, DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. IN FACT, COULD NOT EVEN LOCK THE VEHICLE. HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HOPEFULLY GET A PERMANENT FIX. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE UNCOVERED MULTIPLE INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET DESCRIBING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE THAT HAD I KNOWN PRIOR TO MAKING THE PURCHASE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN STRONG CONSIDERATIONS TO "NOT" BUYING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11387415

Incident

Jan 10, 2021

Mileage

21,000 mi

ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH, CARS THROWS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND COMPLETELY LOSES POWER. WARNING LIGHTS COME ON SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC BRAKE, AND EMISSION SYSTEM. CAR COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IS COMPLETELY DEAD, BUT DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE ON. CAR IS LOCKED IN NEUTRAL AND CANNOT BE SHIFTED. SAT WAITING FOR A TOW FOR 30 MINUTES, CARS CAN NOW BE TURNED OFF, THEN RESTARTED AND SUDDENLY IT CAN BE DRIVEN AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH DEALERS EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM. FIRST THEY SAID IT FUEL PUMP, THEN A SOFTWARE ISSUE. SINCE I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER, TRANSMISSION NOW DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT PROPERLY, ITS VERY JERKY. THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO TAKE ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE, A VERY HOT DAY.

NHTSA ID

11342341

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi