2018 Acura TLX Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 44 engine complaints for the 2018 Acura TLX, 46% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. A related recall (23V751000) covers connecting rod bearing manufacturing defects on the engine.
- Engine complaints
- 44
- 46% of 95
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report the idle-stop/auto-stop system fails to restart the engine after it shuts off at a stop, sometimes shifting into neutral without warning.
- Owners describe sudden stalling while driving, including repeated stalls in a single trip, with the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral.
- Owners report rough gear changes or jolts under acceleration around 25 mph and 55-60 mph, with RPM spiking then returning to normal.
- Owners describe a knocking or rattling noise from the engine accompanied by loss of power, a blinking check engine light, and sputtering that forces them to pull over.
- Owners report connecting rod bearing failure at low mileage, sometimes leading to full engine replacement, occurring with no prior warning codes.
- Owners describe the engine losing power or entering limp mode at highway speeds, requiring engine replacement.
When 2018 Acura TLX engine complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 6, 2017, latest Jun 6, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2018 Acura TLX
- 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.
Engine complaints by TLX model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Acura TLX?
- NHTSA lists 44 engine-related complaints for the 2018 Acura TLX, which is 46% of the 95 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Acura TLX engine?
- Yes. Recall 23V751000 covers a manufacturing error affecting the engine on 2015-2020 Acura TLX vehicles among other models. Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine, free of charge.
- At what mileage do 2018 Acura TLX engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2018 TLX is 50,000 miles.
- Did engine complaints result in crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2018 TLX lists 1 crash and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
- Is the 2018 TLX engine complaint rate worse than other TLX years?
- The 46% share for 2018 is close to nearby years like 2017 (49%) and 2019 (53%), and lower than 2015's 33% share out of a much larger 113-complaint count.