2018 Acura TLX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#6 most-complained of 12 TLX years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Acura TLX has 95 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 55 out of 100 — #6 highest of 12 TLX model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (44 complaints, 46% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 95
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 30 hwy
Top 2018 Acura TLX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine44 (46%)
- Electrical System20 (21%)
- Fuel System15 (16%)
- Other14 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (12%)
- Brakes8 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (8%)
- Lane Departure7 (7%)
- Steering6 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
2018 Acura TLX recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Engine248,999 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2018 Acura TLX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other TLX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Acura TLX a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Acura TLX ranks #6 of 12 among TLX model years (Complaint Index 55/100, verdict: Caution). It has 95 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura TLX?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (44 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints), and fuel system (15 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 42,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Acura TLX have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 Acura TLX, most recently reported 2026, covering airbags, fuel system, and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Acura TLX?
- EPA rates the 2018 Acura TLX at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.