Most common 2018 Acura TLX problems
Share of the 96 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 →
2018 Acura TLX recalls (4)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
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 3 possible defects involving the 2018 Acura TLX:
Engine failure
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.
Engine failure
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).
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.
What 2018 Acura TLX owners say
Engine & cooling all 43 →
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shuddering and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was jumpstarted by a tow truck operator. The contact noticed an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod bearing or the crankshaft bearing had failed, causing major engine failure. The dealer rebuilt the engine. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The contact later 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 owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), for a possible failure with the connecting rod, and the vehicle was repaired. Approximately 2-3 years after the recall repair, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power while accelerating. The contact coasted to the side of the road and became aware of oil leaking from the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with 4 blown pistons, causing the engine to fail. The contact stated that the previous recall stated that the engine would be replaced as needed. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was no longer covered because the vehicle exceeded the mileage and time limitations. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Electrical system all 20 →
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased on September 10th, 2025, as a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 76,410. At the time of registration, when the title was received, it was discovered that the mileage was 176,410. The title read, "Not Actual Mileage, Mileage Tampering," which indicated odometer fraud had been detected. After ordering the Carfax Report, the report indicated that the mileage 176,000 miles at the time of purchase. The contact had not reported the odometer fraud to any other parties.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights started flickering. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the amps in the battery was low. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recalls repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle only responded as needed when the accelerator pedal was depressed with excessive force. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was driving down the road out of town about 3 hours away from home when I heard a beep and car started to stop, later finding out it was going into "limp mode". It was then towed to a car shop which was not any help, they stated that they didn't know what was wrong with it and that I needed to take it to Honda down the road 2.5 miles that it just needed a system update; very mistreated and rude not offering towing service suggestions or anything told me I can still crank and drive it just not fast. I got into my car and drove it to Honda which would not go over 15mph trying to get there before closing on a Friday afternoon. …
2018 Acura TLX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 8-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 32 / 24 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Acura TLX a good car?
Based on 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 TLX rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the TLX at the same age. 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 2018 Acura TLX?
The engine & cooling — 43 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (20) and fuel & propulsion system (15).
How many recalls does the 2018 Acura TLX have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2018 Acura TLX, the most recent from May 21, 2026 (front passenger). 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 2018 Acura TLX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 57% 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.