Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Acura TLX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated while starting at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the long block and the torque converter were replaced. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-45 MPH, an abnormal banging sound was detected. The RPM increased, and the sound became louder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine rod was thrown, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that a reimbursement claim might be submitted when the remedy was available. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …
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 an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed connection rod bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. 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 119,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the connecting rod bearing was defective. The contact was instructed to no longer drive the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which was linked to the failure. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 after the initial start-up, there was a loud explosion coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle twice. The check engine warning light illuminated, and oil leaked underneath the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed causing the engine to fail. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
While braking and attempting a left turn at an intersection, my vehicle completely shut down with no braking or steering control. Fortunately there were no damages and the vehicle started up again and I was able to clear the intersection. I took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for repair. They indicated that this was a known issue and they were familiar with it. They installed a battery sensor and did brake work as they said there was air in the system. I paid for the repair and approximately a month later, while slowing down for a red signal, the same thing occurred, only this time my vehicle impacted another vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. I had my vehicle towed to the shop that did the initial repair, but they said they could not find any codes that would indicate that their repairs were faulty.
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 an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was safe to drive. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the vehicle was left there for a month. …
After stop light turned from red to green, I began to accelerate through the intersection, when I felt a strong resistance to me trying to accelerate. Second, all the lights on the dashboard lit up and I proceeded to pull off onto the side of the road. I turned the car off, then on again to see if something just needed to be reset or for a rest. Same thing happened and I was unable to continue to drive my car to work. I had my car towed to a nearby automotive shop and they told me the transmission valve needed to be replaced and possibly the entire transmission. They recommended I have it towed to Acura dealership - which I did. Elk Grove Acura's diagnostic was the same. They said that a new valve may not be the fix and I may need the entire transmission to be replaced. They quoted me at $3900 for valve and $9k for entire transmission. I still owe $9k on the vehicle. …
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Engine complaints in other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Acura TLX?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Acura TLX, 37% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 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 2016 Acura TLX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 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.