Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Acura TLX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact was hearing an abnormal ticking noise. The contact stated the check engine warning was illuminated and the fuel gauge showed a decrease in fuel level. The contact stated she observed that black smoke was emitted from under the hood and the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled off of the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating as she pulled over, she stopped the vehicle and exited due to smoke entering the passenger cabin. The contact said she had turned the vehicle off and she observed the smoke appeared to diminish, however, she noticed that there was a leak coming from the engine compartment and the liquid from the leak had ignited and another fire had started. …
The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle was losing forward velocity and the steering was pulling slightly to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly and violently turned to the right. The contact was not aware of any warning lights. The contact was unable to counter turn and the vehicle crashed into the guard rail on the right front bumper. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot his vehicle to the left, crossed two lanes of traffic and crashed into the guard rail on the left side of the highway. The contact stated that this crash with the guardrail deployed the drivers side curtain air bag. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot the vehicle to the right and he drove off of the roadway down a slight embankment. The contact was able to stop and exit the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel failed to responded as needed. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was restarted but stalled immediately. The contact inspected the vehicle but found no fault. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
My vehicle had an engine rod bearing issue before the 1st recall, they replaced part of the engine. My vehicle also went through a starter recall and they also changed the rod bearing with the corrected part that was in for the last recall. Currently, my engine is still having the exact same rod bearing issue which is a safety concern for me. It's currently at Ed Voyles Acura in Chamblee, GA waiting on a decision from corporate Acura. They will determine if they will pay for the repairs of my vehicle due to an old recall. This is the worse experience I have had with the Acura brand and I have had 3 Acuras in my life time. I think Acura is a beautiful car company with great performance. I would love if this situation would allow me a rental until my vehicle is fixed. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the contact observed a thumping noise emanating from the engine compartment when the brake pedal was depressed the sound grew louder. Additionally, the contact stated that when the accelerator was depressed the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,396.
My Acura TLX engine Drive reduced completely on the highway, Went going 60 to 25 roughly up to date maintenance 100% oil life and Now Im concern that's my vechile has been manufactured failed. Since I purchased my vehicle my seat beats get stuck unable to clip belt. My car came with speakers not working dealer tried to tell me I was crazy, until the speaker system was check Yess sure enough no speaker sound at all. In my main base front center Speaker ( VeryBig Deal) all of this last Friday my TLX aspec 3.5v6 has been Making noise and running at a very low reduced speed for no apparent reason while flashing a Engine sign. Flash blank with warning engine. This Event has put me at risk of safety and protection of customer purchase violations as I developed change in my daily life being blind sided about my Acura TLX Car safety and manufacturing issues. …
On several occasions I have experienced issues with the performance of my vehicle. Upon start up and attempting to move forward while the car is in drive the vehicle hesitates to move and feels like it is going to choke and stop. I have experienced this same issue at stops while the car is in operation. There is an open recall for 2015-20 TLX no SH-AWD Fuel Pump Mtr Saf Recall Exp2, RECALL DATE:12/18/2023 which has yet to be fixed. I have been told by Tempe Acura that the parts are not available and basically I will be called when the parts are available. My safety and the safety of others are at risk when the car is not accelerating and causing a stalling or non-movement of the car. I have experienced the car stalling abruptly and coming to hard stops. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer by notice in the mail. …
Engine failure due to spun rod bearing due to the rod bearing connection failing. Vehicle suddenly became completely immobile stopping on a busy road in the city during morning rush hour. Vehicle not only put me in danger, but many other drivers on the road because it stopped halfway into the street refusing to go forward or shift to neutral to be pushed up. There were no electrical or battery issues. Yes, the dealership has acknowledged there is a recall that has not come out yet on the rod bearing connection as well as letters from Acura regarding this problem. Yes, Acura dealership service center has inspected the vehicle with no solution proposed or a diagnosis even. No warning lights until the engine completely failed. There was a rattling/tickling sound for a few days prior to my appointment to get it checked out. …
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) was unavailable and that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) was available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be inspected to determine if the vehicle was experiencing the failure; however, the contact would be charged for the inspection. …
The dealership (Rollit Motors at 60 N Gilbert Rd, Mesa, AZ 85203) appears to have listed the same vehicle-a 2019 Acura TLX with VIN [redacted] two different listings with significantly different mileage and pricing. One listing shows 58,703 miles priced at $24,990. Another shows 85,233 miles priced at $21,995. Both listings use the same exact VIN and show identical exterior/interior colors, trim (3.5L Technology Pkg w/A-Spec), and photos of the same car. When I contacted the dealership, they verbally confirmed "this is the only one we have left" but did not clarify the mileage discrepancy. I have screenshots of both listings and the dealership's communication. I believe this may be an attempt to roll back mileage or misrepresent vehicle condition to inflate the value, which is potentially odometer fraud. Please investigate this VIN and dealership's advertising practices. …
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged…
NHTSA investigations
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.
Engine complaints in other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Acura TLX?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Acura TLX, 48% of the model year's 93 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Acura TLX engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-751 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Nov 13, 2023); NHTSA recall 19V-298 (belts and associated pulleys, Apr 12, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Acura TLX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire 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.