Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Acura TLX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While driving, my vehicle has randomly shut off mid-drive on multiple occasions without warning. This has happened both at low speeds and on city roads, creating a serious safety risk as the engine cuts out without any dashboard lights, alerts, or codes. I lose power steering and acceleration, which could easily cause an accident if it happens at higher speeds or in traffic. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable, making it difficult to reproduce. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership multiple times, but they have been unable to replicate the issue or find a cause through diagnostics. Honda has advised me to tow the vehicle the next time it happens, which is unreasonable given the uncertainty and safety risk of being stranded. At the time of each incident, there were no warning lights, error messages, or unusual noises. …
I've bought my 2018 Acura TLX used from Holiday Mazda in [redacted] in [redacted] Now that my nightmare with the Auto Engine Idle is over(the shop that replaced my starter in November 2025 some how got it so it doesn't work anymore. But that's not my issue. I've had this issues 5-8 times in the last 2 years. I will be driving and my top screen in in the dash(it usually displays navigation, CarPlay, etc) will turn off and flash a couple times. Then it take out my "radio" screen. It's like it's resetting because the screens remind me when it electronics reset snd start up. It goes for a total of 2-3 times. Thank the Good Lord my car keeps driving safely. Here is the second issue. I've had my parking, forward collision, and the one where it says" object approaching." Off for 2 years now. When they are on they will start beeping and freaking out. …
Engine fails to start after idle stop, when the idle-stop off button is not engaged, and the battery doesn't have enough power to re-start the vehicle. Essentially, the engine tries to start up at a traffic light/intersection but fails, causing the car to turn off and shift to Neutral without warning. I then have to realize what is happening, shift the car from Neutral to Park, and hit the start button to be able to re-start the car. There is no warning from the car that the battery is going to be unable to keep the car running, so the stall is 100% unexpected. This is unsafe, as the re-start procedure is not intuitive, takes time, and causes cars behind you to start honking. It could very easily cause a crash. …
I've had multiple failures on this vehicle. First, the engine had a rod knock and Acura gave me a very hard time approving the repair and eventually replacement of the engine. Second, the ADAS system is not working and is a huge safety concern. I keep getting error messages that my road mitigation and lane keeping assist systems do not work. Third, the ABS module system cannot communicate with my ECU and is not working properly. Another safety concern as this controls a lot of the wheel speed sensors, brakes, etc on this vehicle. A quick Google search for acura tlx ABS module repair will bring up pages and pages of people complaining about this very same problem yet Acura is not doing anything about it. This problem also affected other models such as the TSX, TL, RL, and the Oddysey. …
I have had, for years, Idle Stop/restart failures on my 2018 Acura TLX, too many times to count. One time, I heard the screeching tires of a car behind me stopping to avoid rear-ending me, when the driver thought I was going to proceed through an intersection, only to have the car die. Another time, with my infant in the car, I was nearly T-Boned when the car died failing to get through an intersection after a stop. I've taken the car in for service numerous times. Each time, they either couldn't find the problem, or told me I didn't drive it enough, or needed to keep it on a trickle charger, or that I needed a new Battery. In June of 2022, I received a letter from Acura informing me to get a PGM-FI software update. I did. Last night, the car died attempting to restart on a freeway off ramp (which it has done previously as well I should add). …
Date of incident : August 31,2025 Around 9pm on August 31, I was fixing to accelerate at a green light. I pressed the gas pedal, my car went up to 40 mph and then the engine failed. This is due to a recall on the bearing rods for 2015-2020 Acura TLX. The incident occurred a month after financing the car. I don't have a warranty, so I opened up a case with the manufacturer to get help with the repair cost (which is 25,500 for a new engine block and 2 new cylinder heads). Unfortunately, Acura denied assistance. The car only has 68880 miles on it. The rod snapped and put a hole through my engine block. Shame on the manufacturer for denying assistance. I'm now stuck making payments on a car I cannot drive. Yes I have insurance, but it was not involved in an accident so I'm helpless there.
There are so many lights flashing, my vehicle will not go over 50MPH, My steering wheel is no longer straight its actually to the left. I brought it to Acura and they are stating its a REAR TOE ACTUATOR issue and refuse to cover the 5,100.00 fee to fix this issue that has had a SAFETY BULLETIN posted for a 2015 TLX. There has been a bulletin about this according to Carvana so ACURA is aware of this issue but refuse to recall this issue. Warning lights are as follow, BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE, ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEM, Adaptive Cruise Control problem, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, PRECISION ALL WHEEL STEER PROBLEM, POWER STEERING FAILURE. This vehicle only has 46,987 miles.
In September 2023 went in for an oil change. Next day all My CMBS, ACC, LKAS and Road Departure Mitigation System all light up on my dashboard as well brake system light. I called and took the car in they said that it had something to do with the camera sensor. I left a complaint and the manager called after I explained to him he said he would call me back. 1.5 years later he never called back. In October 2024 my car alarm started going off for no reason. I took it in and $1000 to fix. Seems like a lot of electric issues with this car
Electrical complaints in other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Acura TLX?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Acura TLX, 21% of the model year's 96 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Acura TLX electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Acura TLX, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Acura TLX electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 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.