AI Damage2018 Acura TLX: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Acura TLX filed 95 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 52 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 95
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 52
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 30 complaints (32% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 14 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Engine and cooling: 12 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 95 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 30 | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 16 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 1 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 24 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that after refueling and attempting to park in a parking space, the vehicle experienced a sudden acceleration. The contact mentioned that no safety features were activated.
The airbags did not deploy and the police who arrived on the scene believed that they should have. I brought my car to a body shop to assess the damages as well as look into the issue of the airbags.
the hood popped up, then the truck latch, the speedometer was reading a different speed than the cruise control without any interference, and the bluetooth and entertainment center were not operating correctly, yet no codes or warning lights.
The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine started knocking. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the closest dealer was a two-hour drive from the residence.
While driving, multiple safety-system warnings suddenly appeared simultaneously, including: Lane Keeping Assist Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Auto High-Beam Problem Collision Mitigation System Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Brake System warning I safely stopped the vehicle, shut it off, and…
I will be driving and my top screen in in the dash(it usually displays navigation, CarPlay, etc) will turn off and flash a couple times. Then it take out my “radio” screen. It’s like it’s resetting because the screens remind me when it electronics reset snd start up. It goes for a total of 2-3 times.
This is extremely dangerous as the car will randomly do this and will go into limp mode which can easily cause me to get into an accident. No active recalls on this but I’m seeing this is a common issue with these Acura tlx models. Why hasn’t this issue been addressed yet Acura?!
At just under 70k miles, around mid-2023 I believe, the engine seized and would not start. Warranty covered engine replacement. This was just around the time of the 3.6L V6 engine recall. I waited on the recall because the engine was brand new at that point.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 604 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TLX has 55 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 95, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - The factory fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing properly. This may result in a fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause…
- Dealer Message - The fuel fill pipe assembly may not have been manufactured to specification
As a result, small contamination particles inside the fuel fill neck may prevent the primary shut-off valve flap seal from sealing, resulting in fuel smell from the fuel fill neck area and may cause DTC P0455 or P0456…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle…
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…
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water…
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 AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
- Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control…
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…
- Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly…
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…
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
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…
- Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been…
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…
- "Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages,…
"Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. To ensure your confidence in your vehicle. Acura is extending the…
- "Customer letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages,…
"Customer 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…
- American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System…
NHTSA lists 52 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura TLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 95. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (21%), warning lights, check engine (19%), stalls while driving (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Acura TLX?
NHTSA lists 52 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Acura TLX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.