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 ↗2016 Acura TLX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura TLX have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 119,000 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
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 TLX | 43 |
| 2016 TLX (this page) | 32 |
| 2017 TLX | 24 |
| 2018 TLX | 30 |
| 2019 TLX | 32 |
| 2020 TLX | 18 |
When does it fail?
Of the 32 engine complaints filed for the 2016 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
Owners have filed 32 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.
Among the 6 model years of Acura TLX in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 primary engine defect is connecting rod bearing wear and seizure, the subject of recall 23V-751 issued in January 2024—nearly four years after Honda began investigating complaints in February 2020. Owners describe sudden loud knocking or grinding from the engine, loss of power, and engine seizure without warning lights. Failures occur as early as 17,000 miles and as late as 145,000 miles. Engine replacement is the only fix, costing $4,500 to $6,360 out of pocket before the recall remedy was available. Honda initially denied reimbursement if an independent mechanic diagnosed the failure instead of a Honda dealership, even though owners had to repair vehicles before a recall remedy existed. As of late 2025, remedy parts remain severely backlogged; some dealers have 500+ vehicles waiting and are not scheduling work until mid-2025 to July 2026. Beyond the bearing defect, owners report transmission delay on passing (over one second before downshift), fuel pressure dropping under load, and various electrical safety features disabling simultaneously. A dealership inadvertently damaged one owner's transmission during unrelated brake service. Multiple owners are fearful to drive vehicles recalled for the engine defect while waiting months or years for parts.
Same Acura TLX engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Wear/Seizure (Recall 23V-751)
Premature wear and seizure of the connecting rod bearing on the crankshaft, causing catastrophic engine failure. This is the primary defect identified in NHTSA Campaign 23V-751, originally issued in January 2024 after Honda began investigating in February 2020.
When: Typically between 17,000 and 145,000 miles; multiple owners report failure without prior warning signs
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or banging sound from engine at idle or under acceleration; Engine loses power suddenly while driving; Engine seizes or stalls without warning lights; RPM fluctuations; Grinding sounds from engine compartment; Oil leaks underneath the engine; Vehicle enters limp mode
Codes mentioned: P0300 (or similar misfiring codes), Check Engine Light (unspecified failures), Unknown warning lights on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; repairs range from $4,500 to $6,360+ out of pocket before recall remedy parts became available. Some owners spent money on engine replacement before the recall was issued and Honda initially denied reimbursement claims if independent mechanics performed the diagnosis rather than Honda dealerships.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V-751 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued January 2024. Remedy parts have been severely delayed and unavailable for extended periods. Honda has denied multiple reimbursement claims citing lack of Honda dealership diagnosis, despite owners following recommended repair steps before recall remedy was available. As of October 2025, some dealers have 500+ vehicles on waiting lists with parts still unavailable; some owners report being told they won't be scheduled until mid-2025 to July 2026.
Transmission Delay/Sluggish Response & Loss of Power
Vehicle experiences sluggish acceleration, transmission delay of over one second before downshifting, or complete loss of acceleration while driving at highway speeds. Some failures occur during routine acceleration; others manifest as sudden inability to exceed 45-60 mph regardless of throttle input.
When: Reported at various mileages; one owner had initial event at ~65,000 miles, repeat events through 145,000 miles; another at 104,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle feels sluggish, requiring more than one second to downshift when attempting to pass; Complete loss of power or acceleration while driving; Vehicle limited to 45-60 mph despite throttle input; Vehicle stalls or shuts off suddenly; Dashboard warning lights illuminate (brake alerts, blind spot, lane keep assist, safety feature alerts); Check engine light on; Engine roughness or misfiring
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Multiple unspecified warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quoted $3,900 for transmission valve replacement or up to $9,000 for entire transmission replacement. One owner reported dealership stated they may have damaged transmission during unrelated brake service. Owners report multiple visits to dealership with partial warranty repairs but persistent failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No factory recalls mentioned for transmission issues. One owner reports dealership warranty covered some repairs but vehicle failures persisted. No manufacturer response or TSBs cited.
Fuel Injector Failure & Misfiring
Engine misfires, vehicle stalls unexpectedly, and fails to start on multiple occasions. Diagnosis initially pointed to spark plugs and ignition wires, but replacement did not resolve the issue; subsequent diagnosis identified failed fuel injectors.
When: Around 145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfiring; Vehicle stalls without warning; Vehicle fails to start on multiple occasions; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle runs rough
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and ignition wires replaced initially without resolving issue; fuel injector replacement was in progress at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware but no specific response or recall mentioned.
Fuel Pressure Drop Under Load (Recall 19V060000 Related)
Fuel pressure drops dramatically while the engine is under load, causing the vehicle to misfire and stall. Owner reports this matches the fuel system recall 19V060000 for the 2016 V6 TLX but parts for both recalls remain unavailable.
When: Ongoing issue for approximately one year at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfiring; Vehicle stalling; Fuel pressure drops under load; Vehicle enters limp mode; Vehicle can only be driven safely for 30-45 minutes at a time
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pressure tested and confirmed to drop under load. No repairs completed; owner awaiting recall remedy parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V060000 (Fuel System, Other) notification received but parts not yet available. Campaign 23V751000 also applies but parts unavailable.
Automatic Transmission Valve Failure
Transmission valve fails, causing the transmission to malfunction. Owner reports this is a common problem for the model but diagnosis remains uncertain whether valve replacement or full transmission replacement is needed.
When: Around 104,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Strong resistance to acceleration after stop; Dashboard lights illuminate; Vehicle unable to accelerate normally
Codes mentioned: Multiple dashboard warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Two independent diagnostic sources (automotive shop and Elk Grove Acura) both recommended transmission valve and possibly full transmission replacement. Quoted at $3,900 for valve or $9,000 for entire transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned. Owner still owes $9,000 on vehicle loan.
Catalytic Converter Failure
Catalytic converter fails, confirmed by independent mechanic diagnosis. Failure mileage unknown.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Possible power loss or rough running
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired at time of complaint; vehicle towed to independent mechanic for diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no recall or response mentioned.
Electrical System Malfunctions (Braking, Stability, Lane Assist)
Multiple safety features fail simultaneously: electronic parking brake stays engaged even when disengaged, automatic emergency braking disabled, traction stability control disabled, lane keeping assistance disabled. Check engine and emissions warning lights also illuminate when these failures occur.
When: Timing not specified; happens randomly but increasingly frequent
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical parking brake stays on despite being disengaged; Automatic emergency braking light shows disabled; Traction stability control disabled; Lane keeping assistance disabled; Check engine light on; Emission warning light on; All systems fail together simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Emission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; owner concerned about safety and seeking solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned; owner has contacted dealerships requesting waitlist placement.
ACC Mode Malfunction & Idle Acceleration
While parked and running, the vehicle enters ACC mode and accelerates up and down on its own. Dashboard warning lights appear. In drive, vehicle goes into neutral mode. Owner reports this happens randomly but with increasing frequency.
When: Ongoing; increasing in frequency
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters ACC mode while parked and running; Vehicle accelerates and decelerates on its own while parked; Warning lights appear on dashboard; Vehicle enters neutral while in drive; Acceleration meter moves visibly before car accelerates
Codes mentioned: Multiple unspecified warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. Owner contacted multiple dealerships and placed on waiting lists with no callbacks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response received; owner placed on dealership waiting lists.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the connecting rod bearing was defective. The contact was instructed to no longer drive the vehicle. Upon investigation, the…
Unusual noise from engine when idle, which increases gradually
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated while starting at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic,…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal…
The car would go in ACC mode while parked and running and warning lights would appear on the dash (pictured below). While parked and running, the car also accelerates up & down. I can visibly see the acceleration meter moving before the car goes into ACC. Also, while in the drive the car would go in neutral mode. I’ve called several dealerships and I have been put on a “waiting list” and have not…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura TLX. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was Illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with catalytic convertor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 43,610 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 119,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,610; a quarter make it past 125,000. 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/2016/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.