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 2020 Acura TLX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 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 previously the vehicle had an electrical failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an electrical failure and the electrical system was replaced. However, the electrical system failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine oil warning light illuminated stating 8,000 miles overdue. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine due to old engine oil. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle shut off in the middle lane of a major highway. The contact's wife received assistance from a nearby truck driver. The contact stated that because of the assistance from the truck driver, the contact's wife was able to avoid additional dangers. The vehicle started and the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure had not been determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that previously the failure had occurred, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The contact stated that several unknown repairs were performed, and unknown recall repairs were completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Pull Over Immediately" message was displayed. The contact's wife pulled over, and the "Hill Start Assist Problem", "Collision Mitigation System Problem", "Road Departure Mitigation Problem", and "Blind Spot Info System Problem" messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that there was oil leaking from the crankshaft seal into an unknown sensor. The dealer repaired the recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was idling rough and failed to accelerate while driving. Several unknown messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who test-drove the vehicle for 30 miles and performed an unknown repair. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle stalled and was able to restart after several attempts. The contact was able to continue driving. 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 repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 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 stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,500. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Upon depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 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 failure mileage was approximately 22,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle lost power. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the engine was not replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to help with the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Software update completed June 2022 When coming to a stop light, my car shutdown. Went into neutral and took about five seconds to restart. It happened the following day and I was rear ended. No injuries occurred.
On or about October 21-22, 2025, I brought my 2020 Acura TLX (brown, 99,000 miles, VIN [redacted] ) to Goodson Acura of Dallas for a recall repair related to engine concerns. The vehicle was returned to me on October 24, 2025. Shortly afterward, the car began to lag and hesitate while accelerating. On November 3, 2025, while driving to a doctor's appointment on the Bypass Bridge in morning traffic, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost power completely. This created a dangerous situation in active traffic. I recently underwent surgery following a serious burn injury, so limited mobility made this stall especially hazardous. After restarting the engine, multiple ADAS and system-fault warnings appeared. I contacted Goodson Acura and was advised to bring the vehicle in. …
- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to continue driving while being 300 miles away from home. This incident occurred at about 5-6AM, having to maneuver through traffic before the sunrise. This created a serious safety risk because surrounding vehicles were traveling at full speed increasing the risk of collision. There were no warning signs of this failure and I was unfortunately stranded on the highway in an unfamiliar town for hours with minors in 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
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 2020 Acura TLX?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Acura TLX, 41% of the model year's 63 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 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 2020 Acura TLX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.