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ProblemsByVinFile / 2018-ACURA-TLXNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Acura
2018 Acura TLX problems
The 2018 Acura TLX has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2018 Acura TLX has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 30 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,338 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 TLX?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Acura TLX 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2018 Acura TLX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,338 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 49,289 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,333 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 31,081 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 61,333 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2018 TLX· engine
The car failed to turn back on after the auto stop fuction turned the engine off. This left me stranded at a green light. After a few seconds the car put itself in neutral and I slowly coasted to the side of the road as I was on a hill. It would not start for around 30 seconds,…
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle was idling roughly. Additionally, the accelerator pedal was depressed and there…
The rear seat anchors to install a child safety seat are not accessible in the 2018 Acura tlx. You cannot transport a small child under 2 in the car. Reported to Acura 12/14/2017. Note: the hooks are too far under the seat and cant be reached!!!!
Vehicle is having problems w original recall issues. Car stopping on its own on the highway, car says it’s on E all the time but has gas, car hesitates continually and sometimes just stops, electrical system is having major glitches, transmission and engine having major issues…
Had a problem with your 2018 Acura TLX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Fix: 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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Acura TLX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Acura TLX?
The 2018 Acura TLX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Acura TLX?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 30 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,338 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Acura TLX a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 93 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 72,338 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Acura TLX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 30 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,338 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,338 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura TLX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Acura TLX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 93 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Acura/TLX.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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