2015 Acura TLX Engine Problems

97 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2015 Acura TLX to NHTSA — 28% of all 344 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 32,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 9 TLX model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 34). One related recall has been issued.

97complaints
32ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
0fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2349%
  • 25k–50k
    24%
  • 50k–75k
    1430%
  • 75k–100k
    613%
  • 100k–150k
    24%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Acura TLX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called for tow truck service, but the tow truck driver was unable to shift the transmission into neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the mechanic was unable to work on the engine and transmission failures. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and was informed that there would be a cost for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact requested a diagnostic test and was informed by the dealer that there was a hole in the oil pan, causing engine oil to leak out and causing the vehicle to stall. The contact had called the Insurance Company about the hole in the oil pan and was advised to have the oil pan and engine inspected. …

73,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to maintain the speed while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries upon pre-existing injuries from the failure and sought medical attention. The contact was able to pull onto the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the cluster had caused the catalytic converter to fail. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond as needed while the accelerator pedal was depressed. …

60,000 miles · Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine sounded abnormally loud. The contact stated that the engine was running hard at a slow speed. In addition, the contact noticed that when the vehicle was stopped, the engine idled rough and loudly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. …

58,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact coasted the vehicle to a stop. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and was unable to shift the vehicle out of park(P). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine short block needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …

102,000 miles · Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.

80,000 miles · Nov 2021

The contact's client owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while the client was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut down in the middle of traffic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into drive or reverse. Additionally, there was an unknown failure with the brakes and transmission. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the driver suffered a stroke after the failure, and medical attention was provided. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

67,000 miles · Jan 2022 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of a manufacturer's recall: 2062837681, for the crankshaft bearing, and took the vehicle to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was repaired; however, three weeks after the repair, the vehicle started making a knocking sound while accelerating or while idling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that oil was leaking from the vehicle and that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact became aware that oil was still leaking from the vehicle, with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 122,312.

122,000 miles · Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted several times for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to veer to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to Firestone, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

99,000 miles · Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the excessive engine temperature message was displayed. The contact looked under the hood and became aware that the coolant reservoir cap was disengaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Coolant). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

87,000 miles · Dec 2023

Subject: Complaint - Safety Recall Failure (#23V75100) - Engine Failure Summary: This is a complaint regarding a failure of the safety recall repair performed under Recall #23V75100, which addressed a rod bearing issue that can cause engine failure. Details: 1. On or about April 4, 2024, Southern Acura of Newport News, VA replaced the long block under Recall #23V75100 after the original engine failed at approximately 130,810 miles. 2. On or about September 5, 2024, at approximately 173,722 miles, the replacement engine failed again. 3.The vehicle is currently located at Hall Acura of Virginia Beach, VA. , where the dealership has verified that the engine is seized and available for inspection. 4. The failure occurred while driving at approximately 70 mph in a construction zone, where there was no immediate shoulder or safe area to pull off. …

Sep 2025

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 23V-751 · Nov 13, 2023 · 248,999 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.

NHTSA investigations

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

NHTSA investigation EA25004 · opened Mar 26, 2025 · open

On June 3, 2022, the O ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several eld 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 tra c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged.

Engine complaints in other TLX years

2015201620172018201920202021202220232024974134434526521
Engine complaints per model year, Acura TLX.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2015 Acura TLX?

NHTSA has 97 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Acura TLX, 28% of the model year's 344 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2015 Acura TLX engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-751 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Nov 13, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2015 Acura TLX engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 49% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.