2018 Acura TLX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
94 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
42,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 94 complaints (33.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 14.9% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 9.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 9.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 6.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 31 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Steering | 6 |
Engine: 31; Electrical System: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Unknown Or Other: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 11; Power Train: 10; Service Brakes: 7; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 67 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2021: 5; 2022: 8; 2023: 13; 2024: 30; 2025: 17; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11043660 · 2017-11-06 (November 6, 2017)
FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS I SEE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR POP UP ALONG WITH TWO ERRORS. "ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM" AND "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM" THIS HAPPEND AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW THE ERRORS. NOT SURE WHAT CPULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS UNIT. HAD IT SINCE JULY 2017 WITH ONLY 3228MILES. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102472 · 2018-06-18 (June 18, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE MAKING EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FELT STIFF AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EMISSION, TRANSMISSION, STABILITY CONTROL, ALL WHEEL ASSIST, BLIND SPOT, CRUISE CONTROL, AND LANE ASSIST INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACURA OF MEMPHIS (2611 RIDGEWAY RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38119) WHERE IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 31,081 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424160 · 2021-07-10 (July 10, 2021)
I am concerned because the 2018 TLX Acura I purchased is having stalling and starting issues . When I first purchased the car and it had fewer than 17,000 miles problems appeared with the lights coming on, parking break and emission issues. It had to be repaired 3 times. The recalled Fuel system/fuel pump (recall # 19v060000) was replaced in Feb. 2020, which I hoped fixed any mysterious stalling. The first time it stalled I was in a COVID parade at work to support the community. It started up and I did not think about it again. That was in the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458976 · 2022-03-30 (March 30, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled approximately ten times. The vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was restarted after five minutes. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 47,700. Consumer stated there was a known software bug in the auto idle feature, that needed updating. Consumer took the car to the dealer and had the software updated…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11458976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11180273 · 2019-02-15 (February 15, 2019)
I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND PARKED MY CAR ON THE STORES SURFACE LOT. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND TURNED MY CAR ON ALL ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED - EMISSION LIGHTS ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,247 miles reported. Look up ODI 11180273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11298137 · 2020-01-09 (January 9, 2020)
ON THE MORNING OF 1/7/2020, MY CARS' BRAKE SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED BRINGING MY CAR TO A GRINDING HALT LAUNCHING MYSELF FORWARD TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ITEMS IN MY PASSENGER SEAT FORWARD INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THIS WAS ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED AND THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO CARS WITHIN A CLOSE DISTANCE BEHIND ME. THERE HAD BEEN A TRUCK THAT WAS ~100+ YARDS IN FRONT OF ME THAT TURNED RIGHT INTO A GAS STATION. THIS WAS NEARING AN INTERSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472239 · 2022-07-03 (July 3, 2022)
This unit had recall for the fuel pump and even after the recall was completed . The car is still doing the same thing . It stalls out I tried to reach out to the manufacturer and nothing has been done ..
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472239 at NHTSA ↗