Most common 2016 Acura TLX problems
Share of the 111 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura TLX complaints by model year
Best TLX years: 2017, 2024, 2016. Years to avoid: 2015. Compare all years →
2016 Acura TLX recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2016 Acura TLX:
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2016 Acura TLX owners say
Engine & cooling all 41 →
The contact owns a 2016 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 various speeds, the check engine and several unknown warning lights started flashing on the instrument panel. The RPM was fluctuating abnormally. While driving approximately 75- 80 MPH, the failure recurred with a loud grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle received a system reset by the dealer after the first failure. …
The contact called on behalf of his granddaughter who owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated while the vehicle was being driven at highway speeds, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH, and stalled without warning. The driver was able to pull off the roadway and restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle was also running rough. The contact stated that on three occasions, after the failure, the vehicle failed to start and was towed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the engine was misfiring. The spark plugs and ignition wires were replaced; however, the failure persisted. …
Electrical system all 24 →
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase the mileage was 86,000. At the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 259,000.
I was driving 70mph on I-75 south and I moved into the left lane to pass a vehicle and when pressed down on the gas my car decelerated and multiple (all) warning lights on the dashboard lit up. The car did not recover from the deceleration and caused the car behind me to slam on their brakes, I had to quickly navigate three lanes of traffic during rush hour to get off of the highway. I called Acura service from the off ramp and they said if I restart my car a few times it should reset and I can proceed home. When I brought my car to Acura they said it was a software update and that they don't perform the software update unless a customer is experiencing issues. I am deeply concerned that this issue has not been marked as a recall or automatic software update during regular service. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on the interstate when this happen and could have caused a serious crash given that the car decelerated and stopped functioning in the middle of the road. I had to pull over on the side of the interstate and I immediately called the dealership to see what was going on and if the car was safe to drive. …
My Catalac converter needs to be replace I took it in backin March because dash lights were on . It was covered under warranty barley made it the first time I took it into Acura they failed to look if it was covered for me . After a month of stress and research it was so I took it back to Acura with the paperwork and spoke to the manager who checked it 2 times and said it wasn't I handed him the paperwork n he was able to find it he ordered the part and said he'd give me my diagnosis fee back when the part comes in . I've been waiting 6 months for it now. Well now my engine block needs to be replaced wich is a bigger issue . And im barely over 80,000 miles the tech said everything looked up to date on car , there's no reasonable explanation on Why this happen. And again the part I need is also on back order . …
2016 Acura TLX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 8-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 24 / 35 / 28 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 34 / 25 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Acura TLX a good car?
Based on 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 TLX rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the TLX at the same age. It is one of the best TLX years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Acura TLX?
The engine & cooling — 41 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the electrical system (24) and transmission & drivetrain (15).
How many recalls does the 2016 Acura TLX have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2016 Acura TLX, the most recent from December 18, 2023 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura TLX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2024 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015. See the full Acura TLX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Acura TLX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 61% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.