Service Bulletin - During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716 (input shaft [mainshaft] speed sensor [range/performance]).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Acura TLX powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura TLX have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 17,300 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 TLX | 151 |
| 2016 TLX (this page) | 14 |
| 2017 TLX | 18 |
| 2018 TLX | 10 |
| 2019 TLX | 10 |
| 2020 TLX | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Acura TLX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716 (input shaft [mainshaft] speed sensor [range/performance]).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716 (input shaft [mainshaft] speed sensor [range/performance]).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a recurring nightmare: transmission unexpectedly shifts into neutral or disengages while driving 50–75 mph, causing complete loss of power and uncontrolled coasting on busy highways. All dash warning lights illuminate together—transmission, VSA, emissions, parking brake. The engine stays running but the transmission won't respond to the gear selector. Some drivers can restart the vehicle and limp along; others get stuck in traffic or have to be towed.
This failure is intermittent and has happened multiple times on the same vehicle. Dealers have tried software updates (more than once on some cars), battery replacement, gear assembly replacement, and even full engine swaps. One owner had dash warning lights repeatedly and was told an entire engine block needed replacement at just over 80,000 miles—no explanation given. Another experienced stalling episodes in May, July, and September before the engine failed entirely.
In separate incidents, transmission shifts are described as abrupt and rough; vehicles lurch forward after engagement or slip momentarily into neutral during acceleration. One owner was stranded on the Bay Bridge unable to exceed 20 mph in 60–75 mph traffic with all warning lights blinking. Warranty coverage disputes have also occurred—dealers initially denying coverage for catalytic converter replacement until owners returned with warranty paperwork. Parts shortages have left owners without transportation for months.
Same Acura TLX powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loses engagement / shifts to neutral unexpectedly
Transmission disengages or shifts into neutral while driving at highway speeds, often triggered by acceleration or going uphill. Vehicle loses power and will not respond to throttle. Warning lights illuminate including 'CHECK TRANSMISSION,' 'CHECK VSA,' 'CHECK EMISSIONS.' Issue is intermittent and sometimes resolves after restart.
When: Highway speeds (50–75 mph); some cases at low mileage (7,500 mi), others at higher mileage (16,721–60,000 mi)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission disengages or shifts to neutral while driving; Loss of engine power / no acceleration response; Multiple warning lights flash (MIL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK VSA, CHECK EMISSIONS, CHECK PARKING BRAKE); Engine idles normally but transmission unresponsive; Clicking or grinding sounds from transmission; Vehicle coasts uncontrolled on highway; Hazard reset after power cycle
Codes mentioned: CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEMS, CHECK VSA SYSTEM, CHECK PRECISION ALL WHEEL STEER SYSTEM, CHECK PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION FUNCTION SENSOR FAILURE
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer responses include transmission software updates (multiple attempts), engine replacement (one case at 75,000 mi), new battery installation, push button gear assembly replacement. One owner reported full transmission replacement out of pocket for internal transmission error at 60,000 mi.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle excluded from NHTSA Campaign 16V640000 (powertrain). Manufacturer issued 79 TSBs on powertrain. Recall issued January 2024 per one complaint.
Harsh / abrupt transmission shifts and lurching
Transmission shifts roughly and abruptly during acceleration. Vehicle may slip into neutral momentarily (1–2 seconds) before engagement, then lurch forward. Downshifts feel jerky. Occurs during normal city and highway driving.
When: During acceleration from stops and during normal driving; as early as 16,721 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard / rough / abrupt downshifts; Momentary neutral slip during acceleration (1–2 sec); Lurching forward after shift engagement; Rough transmission shifts during most accelerations
Repairs/costs cited: One case diagnosed as 'crumbs in gear panel' at 16,721 miles; no other repair details cited in narratives.
Engine failure / need for engine block replacement
Engine block required replacement on vehicles with dash warning lights and transmission issues. No clear root cause documented; owner was told 'no reasonable explanation' despite vehicle being up to date on service. Failure occurred just over 80,000 miles and just out of warranty period.
When: Over 80,000 miles; one case with engine failure requiring replacement after stalling episodes in May, July, September 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving at highway speeds; Vehicle loses power and will not accelerate; RPM drops to 1,000 and stays there; Vehicle becomes undriveable
Repairs/costs cited: Engine block replacement needed. Parts on backorder; repair pending as of complaint date. One case required new engine after multiple stalling incidents.
Catalytic converter failure and warranty coverage dispute
Catalytic converter required replacement; initial dealer service failed to identify warranty coverage. Owner had to return with paperwork to get coverage acknowledged. Part remained on backorder for 6+ months.
When: Around 80,000 miles; reported March and ongoing at complaint date
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement; parts on backorder for 6+ months. Dealer initially failed to recognize warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under warranty but part backorder.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While driving 30 miles per hour on a city street, I noticed the car started was shifting hard. Two minutes later, the warning lights appeared "check vsa system", "check precision all wheel steer system", and "check transmission" and the car would not accelerate. This happened at 16,721 miles. The diagnosis was crumbs in the gear panel. Acura showed no record of me bringing my car in for the…
My car stalled while driving on the interstate at 75mph. It happened in may, july, and september 2019. While driving the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate. The tachometer registering the rpms dropped to 1,000 and stayed there. After pulling over, shutting the car off, waiting, and restarting the car, the vehicle proceeded to operate as normal. Many of the warning lights appeared during…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,500 and 51,247 miles, with the median around 17,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,500; a quarter make it past 51,247. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.