2018 Acura TLX

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11775248

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

Mileage

114,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, there was an engine knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate properly and decelerated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and the engine short block was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that there were metal shavings inside the engine oil pan. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the repair for the recall was revised to include replacement of the engine long block. The failure mileage was 40,600.

NHTSA ID

11774389

Incident

Jan 10, 2024

Mileage

40,600 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearings had failed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 147,000.

NHTSA ID

11773699

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

Mileage

147,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine started knocking. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the closest dealer was a two-hour drive from the residence. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11769702

Incident

Sep 29, 2026

Mileage

89,000 mi

I own a 2018 Acura TLX with approximately 41,384 miles. While driving, multiple safety-system warnings suddenly appeared simultaneously, including: Lane Keeping Assist Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Auto High-Beam Problem Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Brake System warning I safely stopped the vehicle, shut it off, and restarted it. The warnings initially disappeared but later returned, including when I started the vehicle to take it to the Acura dealership. An authorized Acura dealership inspected the vehicle and retrieved multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including U3000-49, indicating an internal electronic failure associated with the multipurpose camera/driver-assistance system. The dealership cleared the codes, retested the vehicle, and confirmed that the fault returned. The technician also tested the battery, alternator, starter, and camera ground. The brake system was inspected, and no separate braking problem was identified. The dealership diagnosed a failed monocular camera requiring replacement. Safety concern: Multiple driver-assistance systems became unavailable unexpectedly while I was driving, including collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The simultaneous failure of these systems creates a safety concern because the vehicle's collision-prevention and driver-assistance features may be unavailable without advance warning. The dealership quoted approximately $2,400 for the camera replacement. The vehicle has only 41,384 miles. I have photographs and video documenting the dashboard warnings, as well as the dealership's diagnostic trouble code report and repair estimate. These records are available upon request. I am submitting this complaint to document the unexpected failure of multiple driver-assistance safety systems and request that NHTSA evaluate whether this represents a potential safety-related defect.

NHTSA ID

11766197

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11743370

Incident

May 30, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11742504

Incident

May 24, 2026

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%.

NHTSA ID

11740489

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Service Bulletin - The factory fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification. As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing properly. This may result in a fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause DTC P0455 or P0456 (EVAP system leak detected) to be set.

Dealer Message - The fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification. As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing, resulting in fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause DTC P0455 or P0456 (EVAP system leak detected) to be set.

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.