Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Acura TLX problems

Owners filed 95 complaints about the 2018 Acura TLX with NHTSA between Sep 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (30).

Complaints
95
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine30
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Fuel/propulsion system14
  4. Engine and engine cooling12
  5. Power train11
  6. Forward collision avoidance8
  7. Lane departure7
  8. Service brakes7
  9. Steering6
  10. Vehicle speed control4
  11. Suspension2
  12. Structure2
  13. Seat belts2
  14. Back over prevention1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20173
20181
20195
20205
20215
20228
202313
202429
202517
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

30 reports
“Driving car and suddenly all the lights on the dash light up and car goes into “limp” mode. Upon pulling over turning car off and turning back on lights are all still lit up. Plug car into obd2 scanner and car is showing code p0087 low fuel rail pressure. 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?! For reference I drive a 2018 Acura tlx base model 2.4 cylinder”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11742504

Electrical system

20 reports
“I own a 2018 Acura TLX with approximately 41,384 miles. 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 restarted it. The warnings initially disappeared but later returned, including when I started the vehicle to take it to the Acura dealership. An authorized Acura dealership inspected the vehicle and retrieved multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including U3000-49, indicating an internal electronic failure associated with the multipurpose camera/driver-assistance system. The dealership cleared the codes, retested the vehicle, and confirmed that the fault returned. The technician also tested the battery, alternator, starter, and camera ground. The brake system was inspected, and no separate braking problem was identified. The dealership diagnosed a failed monocular camera requiring replacement. Safety concern: Multiple driver-assistance systems became unavailable unexpectedly while I was…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11766197

Fuel/propulsion system

14 reports
“I had the same Issue as [XXX] . I do see there are many others effected by this and some have overpaid due to inaccurate diagnostics by dealerships. We would really appreciate if NHTSA looks into this issue and help us.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11658739

Engine and engine cooling

12 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. 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. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11769702

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“Date of incident : August 31,2025 Around 9pm on August 31, I was fixing to accelerate at a green light. I pressed the gas pedal, my car went up to 40 mph and then the engine failed. This is due to a recall on the bearing rods for 2015-2020 Acura TLX. The incident occurred a month after financing the car. I don't have a warranty, so I opened up a case with the manufacturer to get help with the repair cost (which is 25,500 for a new engine block and 2 new cylinder heads). Unfortunately, Acura denied assistance. The car only has 68880 miles on it. The rod snapped and put a hole through my engine block. Shame on the manufacturer for denying assistance. I'm now stuck making payments on a car I cannot drive. Yes I have insurance, but it was not involved in an accident so I'm helpless there.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11688717

Forward collision avoidance

8 reports
“I’ve bought my 2018 Acura TLX used from Holiday Mazda in [XXX] in XXX Now that my nightmare with the Auto Engine Idle is over(the shop that replaced my starter in November 2025 some how got it so it doesn’t work anymore. But that’s not my issue. I’ve had this issues 5-8 times in the last 2 years. 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. Thank the Good Lord my car keeps driving safely. Here is the second issue. I’ve had my parking, forward collision, and the one where it says” object approaching.” Off for 2 years now. When they are on they will start beeping and freaking out. I’ve cleaned in front of wheee those cameras are located. I’ve researched online. And can’t figure it out. Now that I have my newly licensed son ([XXX] old) driving the car I want to get every safety issue working. Acura can’t figure it out and so I don’t know Where else to turn. A fiend recommended I do This. I do have video of these…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11743370
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.