2019 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 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel failed to responded as needed. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was restarted but stalled immediately. The contact inspected the vehicle but found no fault. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11752202

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11741072

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

I am formally requesting a neutral third-party arbitration review under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to compel American Honda Motor Co. to provide a permanent mechanical remedy—specifically, the sourcing and installation of a brand-new, redesigned engine assembly (Engine #Four)— This vehicle frame is now on its third engine block. Car was bought 11/30/2024. At Grubbs Acura, fuel pump safety recall that involves flashing/re-calibrating the Engine Control Unit (FI-ECU) software was done. Just a few weeks after new fuel pump, the vehicle displayed sudden stalling symptoms. The engine suffered a terminal, catastrophic internal collapse. The vehicle was towed to Grubbs Acura where Corporate Honda directed a forced out-of-pocket internal engine teardown. The physical teardown explicitly confirmed a catastrophic connecting rod bearing failure (spun bearing) identical to the structural manufacturing flaws currently under active federal investigation by the NHTSA under Preliminary Evaluation PE25008 / RQ24-025. Corporate Honda subsequently issued a verbal agreement to fully reimburse my out-of-pocket teardown fees. Because a manufacturer will never fund diagnostic labor if evidence of owner fault is present, this corporate reimbursement serves as formal validation that no owner maintenance neglect occurred, and that the engine died exclusively from an inherent component defect. Gunn Acura (San Antonio, TX) confirmed with my vin, that Engine #3 was a warranty/dealer-installed replacement unit at 22,000 miles. It failed after less than 40,000 miles of total operation. A professionally manufactured and dealer-installed engine is reasonably expected to last well beyond 40,000 miles. The manufacturer network cannot utilize arbitrary part-ownership rules or uncooperative, fragmented dealer communications. The original factory-installed engine and the dealer-installed replacement engine both suffered identical connecting rod bearing failures.

NHTSA ID

11740358

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the vehicle intermittently started to accelerate slowly and then it unexpectedly surges forward. The dealer was contacted regarding the issue but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11736399

Incident

Oct 23, 2024

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding the execution of NHTSA Recall 24-002 (Connecting Rod Bearing Replacement) by an authorized Acura dealership, and a fundamental safety flaw in Acura’s official Service Bulletin for this recall. My vehicle underwent "Repair #1" under this recall, which involved opening the engine block and replacing the rod bearings due to a factory defect that causes metal-on-metal wear. However, upon picking up my vehicle, I discovered the dealership left the old, dirty oil filter attached to the engine. I reviewed Acura’s Service Bulletin 24-002 and realized the "Required Materials" list explicitly omits a new oil filter for Repair #1. Because dealerships strictly follow this bulletin for warranty reimbursement, they are systematically leaving old filters on engines that just received new bearings. This means old, metal-contaminated oil trapped in the filter is immediately recirculated through the brand-new precision bearings. This procedural flaw directly jeopardizes the integrity of the engine, completely undermining the purpose of the safety recall and putting drivers at risk of sudden engine failure at highway speeds. I have time-stamped video and photographic evidence of my vehicle’s mileage (61,325) and the untouched, original oil filter immediately after returning home from the dealership. Acura Corporate was contacted regarding this procedural negligence and failed to provide a resolution. I am requesting the NHTSA investigate Acura's repair procedures for Recall 24-002 to prevent further unsafe vehicle modifications.

NHTSA ID

11725629

Incident

Mar 17, 2026

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while pulling into a detached garage at 3-5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated through the wall and was hanging out 2/3 of the way. The contact sustained injuries to his head, and medical attention was not provided. The air bag deployed as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The building inspector and fire department were on the scene. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 14,500. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11725264

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

Mileage

14,500 mi

My engine has been replaced under warranty for connecting rod bearings failing before the recall 23V-751 existed. 40,000 miles later it failed again. I have paper work and other information available upon request. The vehicle is currently on it's third short block replaced by Acura. No CEL or anything prior to when the knocking started.

NHTSA ID

11718417

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle was losing forward velocity and the steering was pulling slightly to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly and violently turned to the right. The contact was not aware of any warning lights. The contact was unable to counter turn and the vehicle crashed into the guard rail on the right front bumper. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot his vehicle to the left, crossed two lanes of traffic and crashed into the guard rail on the left side of the highway. The contact stated that this crash with the guardrail deployed the drivers side curtain air bag. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot the vehicle to the right and he drove off of the roadway down a slight embankment. The contact was able to stop and exit the vehicle. The contact saw that front bumper had sheared off and that the right fender and wheel well were crushed. The contact stated that the he could see the right tire suspension and control arms were exposed and fractured. The contact stated that the damage of the left side of the vehicle was not as severe. The contact stated that the passenger side curtain air bag had also deployed. The contact stated that the police were on scene and wrote a report. The contact stated that he was transported by ambulance to the ER. The contact stated that he had bruises and cuts on his right temple and check and swelling, cuts and bruises on the left cheek and left temple and forehead. The contact stated he was released after treatment. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had received recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID

11702571

Incident

Nov 28, 2025

Mileage

48,000 mi

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.

Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.

Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in the EGR/VVT OBD Monitor Readiness status group. Due to some customer’s driving patterns, they may not drive in the fashion needed to operate the VTEC (EGR/VVT) that only operates above 5,350 rpm to run the OBD monitoring. Therefore, the EGR/VVT OBD monitor group readiness status is not set to “Complete” when the customer presents their vehicle to a Smog Check station for inspection.

Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).

Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).