Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2015-2018 TLX 2WDs with a client complaint of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with DTC U129D (Lost Communication with the Precision All Wheel Steer Control Unit) stored. Client may experience limited speed of up to 50mph or the steering wheel not centered. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Acura TLX steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura TLX have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 TLX | 14 |
| 2016 TLX (this page) | 4 |
| 2018 TLX | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Acura TLX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 steering 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.
Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2015-2018 TLX 2WDs with a client complaint of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with DTC U129D (Lost Communication with the Precision All Wheel Steer Control Unit) stored. Client may experience limited speed of up to 50mph or the steering wheel not centered. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2015-2018 TLX 2WDs with a client complaint of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with DTC U129D (Lost Communication with the Precision All Wheel Steer Control Unit) stored. Client may experience limited speed of up to 50mph or the steering wheel not centered. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The high pressure fuel pump area chirps after the engine is warm.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While traveling 75 MPH on interstate multiple / all warning lights suddenly illuminated on dash board and the car placed itself into neutral from drive position. Upon coming to rest car was placed into park along shoulder and when drive was selected it would not engage. Vehicle was turned off and allowed to sit for several minutes before restarting again. Again it would not allow to go into…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2016 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 41,233 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.