CSR

Acura · NHTSA safety record

2019 Acura TLX

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

91

Complaints

7

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2019 Acura TLX have filed 91 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2019 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 31 of them (34%). The typical failure was reported at 9,288 miles, the median across the 23 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 2 defect investigations are open and unresolved.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V332000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 98,892 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

23V751000 · November 13, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
The risk
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 248,999 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

21V215000 · March 25, 2021

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 624,552 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

19V298000 · April 12, 2019

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
The risk
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 93,946 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

19V060000 · January 29, 2019

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
The risk
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 437,032 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (3)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Engine failure

PE25008

Still open preliminary evaluation · opened August 20, 2025

the engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

EA25004

Still open engineering analysis · opened March 26, 2025

the engine and its cooling

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine failure

RQ24013

Closed recall query · opened November 8, 2024 · closed August 20, 2025

the engine

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 91.

ENGINE 31 34%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14 15%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13 14%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13 14%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 13%
POWER TRAIN 11 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 12%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 5%
SUSPENSION 3 3%
STRUCTURE 2 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 28.

2019 2024 2026
2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

2019 Acura TLX 28k miles - was slowing pulling into a parking spot in a parking garage downtown San Diego. Suddenly the car had no brakes while pressing the brake pedal to the floor with no resistance from the brakes, the car start revving hard and accelerating very fast. I stopped by hitting a brick barrier. Steering wheel and knee airbags deployed. Fortunately I arrived at work early that day and did not hit anyone or any other cars. Our Insurance company USAA said they can not repair the car. The automatic emergency equipment did not kick in either. Acura was advised of the issue case number [XXX]. Fortunately my injuries were minor cuts and bruising but if this incident had happened

NHTSA complaint 11610282, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

1 injured · crash · towed · 48,000 miles

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle was losing forward velocity and the steering was pulling slightly to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly and violently turned to the right. The contact was not aware of any warning lights. The contact was unable to counter turn and the vehicle crashed into the guard rail on the right front bumper. The contact stated that the force of the crash shot his vehicle to the left, crossed two lanes of traffic and crashed into the guard rail on the left side of the highway. The contact stated that this crash with the guardrail deployed the drivers side curtain air bag.

NHTSA complaint 11702571, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed · 14,500 miles

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while pulling into a detached garage at 3-5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated through the wall and was hanging out 2/3 of the way. The contact sustained injuries to his head, and medical attention was not provided. The air bag deployed as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The building inspector and fire department were on the scene. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was

NHTSA complaint 11725264, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

fire · towed · 70,000 miles

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact was hearing an abnormal ticking noise. The contact stated the check engine warning was illuminated and the fuel gauge showed a decrease in fuel level. The contact stated she observed that black smoke was emitted from under the hood and the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled off of the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating as she pulled over, she stopped the vehicle and exited due to smoke entering the passenger cabin. The contact said she had turned the vehicle off and she observed the smoke appeared to diminish, however, she noticed that there was a leak coming

NHTSA complaint 11564809, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel failed to responded as needed. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was restarted but stalled immediately. The contact inspected the vehicle but found no fault. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed and that

NHTSA complaint 11752202, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both headlight lenses on my 2019 Acura TLX developed severe internal stress cracking (crazing) with no external damage of any kind. The cracking appears to originate from inside the housing, consistent with heat stress or a manufacturing defect. Both headlights cracked identically and simultaneously, which rules out accidental damage. Acura corporate has denied a goodwill repair, classifying this as normal wear and tear. Estimated repair cost is $4,000. I believe this is a manufacturing defect and may affect other 2019 Acura TLX owners.

NHTSA complaint 11741072. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am formally requesting a neutral third-party arbitration review under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to compel American Honda Motor Co. to provide a permanent mechanical remedy—specifically, the sourcing and installation of a brand-new, redesigned engine assembly (Engine #Four)— This vehicle frame is now on its third engine block. Car was bought 11/30/2024. At Grubbs Acura, fuel pump safety recall that involves flashing/re-calibrating the Engine Control Unit (FI-ECU) software was done. Just a few weeks after new fuel pump, the vehicle displayed sudden stalling symptoms. The engine suffered a terminal, catastrophic internal collapse. The vehicle was towed to Grubbs Acura where Corporate

NHTSA complaint 11740358, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the vehicle intermittently started to accelerate slowly and then it unexpectedly surges forward. The dealer was contacted regarding the issue but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint 11736399. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding the execution of NHTSA Recall 24-002 (Connecting Rod Bearing Replacement) by an authorized Acura dealership, and a fundamental safety flaw in Acura’s official Service Bulletin for this recall. My vehicle underwent "Repair #1" under this recall, which involved opening the engine block and replacing the rod bearings due to a factory defect that causes metal-on-metal wear. However, upon picking up my vehicle, I discovered the dealership left the old, dirty oil filter attached to the engine. I reviewed Acura’s Service Bulletin 24-002 and realized the "Required Materials" list explicitly omits a new oil filter for Repair #1. Because dealerships

NHTSA complaint 11725629, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Acura TLX

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 10 3
2022 24 3
2021 64 4
2020 62 5
2018 94 4
2017 69 3
2016 110 3
2015 340 6

Other 2019 Acura models

Every Acura on this site — 71 vehicles, 113 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst