Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Acura TLX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Acura TLX have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 73,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 TLX (this page) | 43 |
| 2016 TLX | 32 |
| 2017 TLX | 24 |
| 2018 TLX | 30 |
| 2019 TLX | 32 |
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 43 engine complaints filed for the 2015 Acura TLX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Acura TLX we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 43.
Owners have filed 43 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures the water can freeze, preventing the starter motor from cranking the engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Acura TLX engine cluster shows one dominant failure mode with serious safety consequences: connecting rod bearing seizure leading to catastrophic engine damage. Owners report loud knocking sounds followed by sudden engine stall, loss of power steering and braking, and inability to restart. In some cases the seizure cracks the engine block; in others it punctures the oil pan, causing rapid oil loss and engine seizure. Mileage ranges from 58,000 to 122,000 miles, with replacement engines the standard repair.
A secondary pattern involves unexplained engine stalling and loss of motive power at traffic lights or highway speeds—no knocking precedes these events, and mechanics cannot always identify a root cause. Some owners suspect fuel pump or transmission issues; others point to electrical failures.
The auto idle-stop system has a well-documented flaw: the engine refuses to restart after coming to a complete stop, requiring the driver to manually press the start button multiple times. Battery replacement resolves this in several cases.
Owners also report transmission shifting into Neutral unexpectedly while driving or refusing to shift out of Park, sometimes paired with total electrical failures (all dashboard lights illuminating, loss of power steering and brakes).
A critical complication: Acura's recall (Campaign 23V751000, issued November 2023) for bearing inspection faces severe parts scarcity. Dealers report appointment slots backlogged to May 2025 or later, leaving owners exposed to bearing failure while waiting for recall service. Acura's inspection procedure relies on photographs sent to corporate headquarters for decision-making, delaying actual repairs further.
Same Acura TLX engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Seizure / Engine Block Failure
Connecting rod bearings seize internally, causing catastrophic engine damage. Some owners report a loud knocking sound from the engine before loss of power; others experience sudden stalling with no warning. The seizure can crack the engine block, puncture the oil pan, or require full engine replacement.
When: Reported between 58,000 and 122,000 miles; one case at 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or thumping sound from engine; Sudden engine stall without warning lights; Loss of power while driving; Engine seizure; Massive oil leaks from punctured oil pan; Steam and smoke from under hood; Check engine light illumination; Vehicle unable to restart
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (generic)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in most cases; one owner had short block replaced; bearing inspection via Acura corporate photographs (per recall procedure), then either bearing replacement or full engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); recall issued November 2023 covering connecting rod bearing inspection; owners report severe delays in parts availability and inspection appointments (some appointments delayed to May 2025 or later, others told Fall 2024 at earliest); recall repair qualification based on presence of knocking noise; one owner noted recall does not cover 2018 engine variant in same vehicle generation
Engine Stalling / Loss of Motive Power (Non-Mechanical Causes)
Engine unexpectedly shuts off or loses power while driving at various speeds without mechanical damage found. Some events occur at idle or traffic lights; others happen at highway speeds. In several cases, the vehicle stalls in the middle of traffic, creating a hazard. No knocking or mechanical warning precedes the event.
When: Reported at 25–65 MPH; idle conditions; no specific mileage pattern noted
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall without warning; Loss of motive power while driving; No warning lights (or lights come on after stall); Engine will not restart immediately; Loss of power steering and braking function; Unable to shift transmission out of Park; Engine restarts on second attempt or after delay (30+ minutes in one case)
Codes mentioned: Unknown / Multiple warning lights illuminated (narratives do not specify codes)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most cases; one dealer diagnosed instrument cluster failure and catalytic converter failure; another independent mechanic unable to diagnose root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 23V751000 referenced by several owners, though unclear if stalling is bearing-related or separate electrical/fuel issue; one owner suspects fuel pump problem; one narrative mentions software update for idle-stop issue
Auto Idle-Stop System Malfunction
The engine start-stop system fails to restart the engine after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The driver must manually press the engine start button one or more times to restart. The issue happens repeatedly over the life of the vehicle, often at traffic lights or in slow traffic.
When: Reported at 21,000 miles and throughout vehicle ownership; multiple occurrences per owner
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to restart after auto idle stop; Driver must manually press start button multiple times; No warning codes detected in some cases; Happens at traffic lights, stop-and-go traffic, drive-thru lines
Codes mentioned: No codes found
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement resolved the issue in several cases; no other repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Acura mentioned a software update for this issue; another owner notes disabling the auto idle-stop feature may resolve the problem; no formal recall or campaign cited
Transmission Shift Failures / Neutral Engagement While Driving
The transmission shifts into Neutral unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, or fails to shift out of Park or into Drive/Reverse. Some owners report the transmission becomes stuck in Neutral, preventing acceleration. The failure can happen while coasting, at stops, or during normal driving.
When: Reported at various speeds and mileages; no specific pattern cited
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to Neutral unexpectedly while driving; Transmission will not shift out of Park; Transmission will not shift into Drive or Reverse; Vehicle coasts without responding to accelerator; Engine revs but vehicle does not move; Check Engine light may illuminate
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (generic)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in the narratives; tow truck driver unable to shift vehicle into Neutral in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 23V751000 mentioned; one owner relates failure to instrument cluster; no specific transmission recall or TSB cited
Oil Pan / Crankshaft Puncture
A fractured crankshaft or internal engine failure punctures the oil pan, causing a hole and rapid oil leakage. This leads to oil starvation and engine seizure. The failure typically causes the engine to stall and the vehicle to become inoperable.
When: Reported at approximately 73,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls due to oil loss; Hole discovered in oil pan; Massive oil leaks visible on pavement; Engine unable to be shifted out of Neutral (transmission locked)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired; owner had to arrange further diagnosis with insurance
Oil Leaks (Post-Recall or Unrelated to Bearings)
Owners report oil leaks from the engine, including from the oil pump seal. In one case, the leak occurred before the recall repair was performed and was not addressed during the recall service. Oil leaks result in visible smoke and odor from the engine compartment.
When: Reported at approximately 122,000 miles (pre-existing leak); timing of other leaks not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from engine compartment; Oil pump seal leaking; Engine smoking; Abnormal odor from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Recall service did not address pre-existing oil pump seal leak; dealer wanted to charge for parts and labor; owner unable to afford repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 2062837681 (crankshaft bearing); recall repair performed but leak persisted afterward; timing belt replacement recommended by dealer but not completed
Wiring Harness Damage (Rodent or Manufacturing)
Engine compartment wiring harnesses are damaged, preventing the engine from starting. The failure recurred after initial repair, suggesting either incomplete diagnosis or a recurring issue.
When: Reported at approximately 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated; Wiring harness damage identified in engine compartment
Codes mentioned: Multiple unknown warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Several wiring harnesses replaced by dealer; failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no recall or TSB cited
Engine Overheating / Coolant System Failure
The engine overheats due to a disengaged coolant reservoir cap, allowing coolant loss. One narrative attributes this to the engine cooling system included in Campaign 23V751000.
When: Reported at approximately 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive engine temperature message displayed on dashboard; Coolant reservoir cap disengaged
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling)
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Three years ago, the car started stalling at traffic lights coming to a stop battery was replaced and the problem went away. A new battery was installed a few months ago and in the last week the same stalling situation has occurred three times. Acura says there’s a software update, and when the car was brought in for the recall on the connecting rod bearings, they said they refreshed the software…
I was driving, and my car started slowing down smoking under the hood with a loud noise under the hood like a knocking sounds. Then I heard a loud bang. Paid a tow company to tow my car to the shop mechanic found a large hole in the block. Last oil changed was 03/16/2023. I called acura to see if a recall had been reported after learning about other people having the same issues. It didn't seem…
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the excessive engine temperature message was displayed. The contact looked under the hood and became aware that the coolant reservoir cap was disengaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number:…
My 2015 Acura TLX’s engine has internal issues with rod bearings, as mentioned in other recalls of the same year, yet my VIN does not fall within the recall.
Had engine trouble with your 2015 Acura TLX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2015 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 58,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Acura/TLX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.