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U.S. public vehicle records

2018 Acura TLX: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 94 complaints (33.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1414.9%
Engine operation1212.8%
Transmission and shifting99.6%
Electrical and battery issues99.6%
Steering behavior99.6%
Fuel system concerns66.4%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine31
Electrical System17
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Unknown Or Other13
Engine And Engine Cooling11
Power Train10
Service Brakes7
Steering6

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00010
25,000 to 49,9996
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above2

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.

2017
3
2018
1
2019
5
2020
5
2021
5
2022
8
2023
13
2024
30
2025
17
2026
7
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20173
20181
20195
20205
20215
20228
202313
202430
202517
20267

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11022710 · 2017-09-11 (September 11, 2017)

MAVIS TIRE A NEW YORK BASED TIRE RETAILER IS SELLING TIRES WITH ADVERTISED 5+ YEAR OLD DOT NUMBERS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11022710 at NHTSA ↗

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 11054719 · 2017-12-14 (December 14, 2017)

THE REAR SEAT ANCHORS TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE IN THE 2018 ACURA TLX. YOU CANNOT TRANSPORT A SMALL CHILD UNDER 2 IN THE CAR. REPORTED TO ACURA 12/14/2017. NOTE: THE HOOKS ARE TOO FAR UNDER THE SEAT AND CANT BE REACHED!!!!

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11054719 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 11175717 · 2019-02-08 (February 8, 2019)

2018 ACURA TLX UNEXPECTEDLY AND FOR UNKNOW REASONS INITIATES AN EMERGENCY (SOS) CALL, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A 911 CALL TO NYS POLICE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST HALF A DOZEN TIMES. WE DIDN'T KEEP TRACK AT FIRST BUT NOW KNOW TO DO THAT. MOST TIMES THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE CAR OR THE WEATHER OR ANYTHING WE CAN THINK OF THAT WOULD INITIATE THIS. THE CAR HAS NOT REPORTED THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR CALLED SOS AND WHEN ACURA PERSON DIDN'T GET A REPLY FROM THE CAR THEY CALLED 911. NY …

Owner-reported narrative. 16,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175717 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 11216915 · 2019-05-30 (May 30, 2019)

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2018 ACURA TLX, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE CURRENT RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED BEFORE THE SALE. AFTER SEARCHING THE VIN I FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT REPAIRED. I GOT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE RECALL BUT SHOULD THE DEALERSHIP FACE ANY PUNISHMENTS/ FINES ETC. FOR SELLING A NEW VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL AFTER STATING IT WAS FIXED?

Owner-reported narrative. 22 miles reported. Look up ODI 11216915 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11240436 · 2019-07-29 (July 29, 2019)

ON 6/25/19 AT 16:39 I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 ACURA TLX NORTHBOUND ON A FOUR LANE CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CLEAR. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, THE CMBS (COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM) BEEPED AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP DESPITE THERE BEING NO CAR AHEAD. THIS SURPRISED ME AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE TRUCK BEHIND ME HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE IGNORED ALL THROTTLE INPUT, THUS MY ENGINE RACED AND SPUN THE FRONT TIRES ONCE THROTTLE INPUT WAS RESTORED. THE EVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240436 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

19V060000 · Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 2019-01-29 (January 29, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Consequence: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V751000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Reported: 2023-11-13 (November 13, 2023)

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.

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

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. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

NHTSA campaign record ↗