Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I drive a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0 L turbo 4 cylinder. I was driving to work on [redacted] on a busy street in Boyle Heights, Ca. When all of sudden I get a warning indicator "engine temp is high do not drive". Pulled over immediately. Good thing I was in the far right lane and was able to pull over and not stall or get rear ended by another vehicle behind me. There were no warning, symptoms and indicators of the engine's overheating. My vehicle has been in great condition prior with no major or minor issues with my vehicle. We took it to two dealerships for diagnostics. The head gasket blown, empty coolant reservoir, cracked engine block, and other parts of the engine were affected. What if I was on a highway and the car stalled. I could've been seriously injured or seriously injured someone else on the road. …
On 07/01/2026, at approximately 8:00 AM, during steady acceleration, flashing of MIL with loss of power presented northbound after merging from 235 west bound to I-135 north bound near Park City, KS. Particularly dangerous resulting in near rear end collision. Upon taking nearest exit ramp, attached BlueDriver .OBD II reader, and fault code P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire and U0401-68 PGM-Fi/ECM/PCM system event code was logged, with multiple warning indicators that safety system, AWD, brake, and other systems were disabled. Note, vehicle has had TSB 20-053 update w/ flash of PGM-Fi which did not resolve the fault, fault associated with hot and humid climates or period of rain fall, apparent water vapor, condensate build up in intercooler. …
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 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 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. …
Related recalls (2)
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
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 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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura TLX years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (97), 2019 (45), 2018 (43), 2016 (41) and 2017 (34) model years. Engine complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Acura TLX engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-751 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Nov 13, 2023); 19V-298 (belts and associated pulleys, Apr 12, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura TLX engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › emission control (1).
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.