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2018 Acura TLX engine problems
moderate
Owners of the 2018 Acura TLX have filed 30 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See engine across all vehicles →
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.
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 BulletinB22-009Jul 2025
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.
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.
Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).
Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report engine knocking or ticking noises that escalate with acceleration, often while driving at highway speeds. The noise progresses to complete loss of power, stalling, and failure to restart. Once towed and diagnosed, the culprit is almost always a failed connecting rod bearing. Dealers consistently recommend full engine replacement instead of repair—not because the bearing can't be swapped, but because the rest of the engine has likely been damaged by the time the noise appears.
NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 exists for this exact failure, but recall parts have been unavailable for over a year in multiple cases. Owners sit stranded with no timeline for repair, continuing car payments on vehicles they cannot drive.
Several owners report the engine failing again 2-3 years after recall repair; Honda then denies warranty coverage once the vehicle exceeds 100,000 miles or three years old. One owner paid $8,000 out of pocket for a rebuilt engine after a dealer incorrectly advised replacement was cheaper than diagnosis.
Some owners also report rough idle and engine ticking at low mileage (24,000 miles), plus acceleration hesitation requiring excessive pedal pressure and episodes of the idle-stop system failing to restart the engine at traffic lights. These issues go undiagnosed at multiple dealers.
Connecting rod bearing or crankshaft bearing fails, causing major engine damage. Owners report knocking or ticking noises that escalate during acceleration, followed by loss of power and stalling. Several cases progressed to complete engine seizure or pistons punching through the engine block.
When: Between 40,000 and 110,000 miles; some occurred within 2-3 years of recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking or ticking noise from engine; Noise increases with acceleration; Loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle stalling and failure to restart; Engine seizure; Oil leaking from engine; Multiple warning lights illuminated; Loud clucking sound before loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend engine replacement rather than teardown; some rebuilt engines installed for $8,000+. Original engines rarely repaired—typically replaced. Recall repair parts remain unavailable for months to over a year, leaving vehicles undrivable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued for connecting rod failure; recall parts have been on backorder with no estimated availability. Warranty coverage denied after mileage/time limits exceeded (around 100,000+ miles or 3+ years). Honda/Acura informed of failures but no remedy provided.
Rough idle and startup knock at low mileage
Vehicle exhibits rough idling and engine knock noise during cold starts or at low mileage (24,000 miles or less). Sound described as rattling or ticking, typically worse after overnight rest. Dealers unable to reproduce or hear the noise during inspection despite video evidence.
When: Starting around 24,000 miles; noticed after purchase of used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or ticking noise on startup after long rest; Rough idle condition; Noise more pronounced after overnight rest
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; dealers could not diagnose issue despite customer bringing video evidence of the noise.
Idle stop/start system failure
Auto idle-stop feature fails to restart engine after shutting down, leaving vehicle stranded. Includes cases where software update was available as remedy and instances where VIN fell outside recall scope despite same issue.
When: Various speeds, including at traffic lights and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls after auto stop function engages; Vehicle fails to restart immediately; Vehicle shifts into neutral while stalled; Slow restart (30+ seconds) or stuck in accessory mode; Engine stalls approximately 10 times in one instance
Repairs/costs cited: At least one case resolved with software update to idle feature. No remedy available for vehicles outside recall VIN range.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 referenced; software updates mentioned as fix for some models. However, some VINs reported as not qualifying for recall despite same symptoms.
Power loss and acceleration failure
Vehicle loses power, refuses to accelerate, or sputters during acceleration at highway speeds. Check engine light illuminates. In one case, excessive pedal pressure required for response at 50,000 miles.
When: Between 50,000 miles and highway driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while accelerating; Vehicle sputtering during acceleration; Check engine light illumination (blinking in one case); Vehicle entering limp mode; Accelerator pedal requires excessive force (unresponsive); Knock/rattle noise during acceleration attempts
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer quoted $20,000 for engine repair. Vehicles towed; diagnoses point to rod bearing or engine failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) notification sent; parts unavailable for recall repair.
Transmission-like shifting or jerking under acceleration
Engine produces sounds or jerking sensations during gear changes or acceleration that mimic transmission problems, though transmission fluid tested normal. Includes hard jolts at specific speeds.
When: During highway driving and acceleration at 25 MPH and 55-60 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or jolting sensation during acceleration (described as whiplash-like); Engine ticking or 'rows sticking' sensation; Hard shift-like jolts at specific speeds; RPM jump and return to normal; Engine noise mistaken for transmission issue
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid checked and flushed; issue persists, indicating engine rather than transmission source.
Steering seizure and stalling at low speed
Vehicle stalls at low speed with simultaneous steering wheel seizure and multiple warning lights. At 107,000 miles, vehicle towed but not diagnosed.
When: At approximately 107,000 miles while driving 10 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 received but vehicle not serviced.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
7 most recent
engine
· filed 12/21/2022
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, remained in accessory mode with the engine off. Finally it started and I cautiously drove home. The oil and coolant…
engine
· filed 12/20/2023
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 was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the knocking became faster and louder…
engine
· filed 11/20/2023
Spun rod bearings at 88000 miles
engine
· filed 11/18/2025
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, there was a valve tap coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed,…
engine
· filed 11/12/2024
I was driving home from work and I started hearing a knocking noise and I was trying to get off the highway on the next exit but I didn’t make it the engine locked up and jolted. The car went into neutral luckily I was able to coast to the side of the highway.After getting it towed to the dealership they said it was a rod bearing failure and they needed to change the engine block. I had to fight…
engine
· filed 10/04/2024
The contact owns a 2018 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact…
engine
· filed 09/27/2024
The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact heard a loud clucking sound and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Acura TLX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2018/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.