I am reporting a catastrophic safety defect and a failure of a federal recall remedy on my 2015 Acura TLX. My vehicle was previously identified as part of the connecting rod bearing recall (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000). The dealership performed the official recall inspection/remedy in February 2026. However, in September 2026, the engine suddenly developed a loud, metallic knocking sound coming directly from the motor. A metallic knock is the primary warning sign of imminent rod bearing failure, which poses a severe safety risk of sudden engine seizure and stalling while driving at highway speeds. I contacted Acura Customer Service to report that the recall remedy failed and that the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Acura corporate has completely denied my claim and refused to take corrective action, despite this being a direct, unmitigated failure of the recalled component. Injuries: No Crash: No Fire: No Speed at time of incident: Idle
2015 Acura TLX: engine knocking or ticking
12 of the 344 complaints about the 2015 Acura TLX describe engine knocking or ticking.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 1
Engine knocking or ticking by model year
What owners say
My 2015 Acura TLX’s engine has internal issues with rod bearings, as mentioned in other recalls of the same year, yet my VIN does not fall within the recall.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of a manufacturer’s recall: 2062837681, for the crankshaft bearing, and took the vehicle to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was repaired; however, three weeks after the repair, the vehicle started making a knocking sound while accelerating or while idling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that oil was leaking from the vehicle and that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact became aware that oil was still leaking from the vehicle, with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 122,312.
Subject: Complaint - Safety Recall Failure (#23V75100) - Engine Failure Summary: This is a complaint regarding a failure of the safety recall repair performed under Recall #23V75100, which addressed a rod bearing issue that can cause engine failure. Details: 1. On or about April 4, 2024, Southern Acura of Newport News, VA replaced the long block under Recall #23V75100 after the original engine failed at approximately 130,810 miles. 2. On or about September 5, 2024, at approximately 173,722 miles, the replacement engine failed again. 3.The vehicle is currently located at Hall Acura of Virginia Beach, VA. , where the dealership has verified that the engine is seized and available for inspection. 4. The failure occurred while driving at approximately 70 mph in a construction zone, where there was no immediate shoulder or safe area to pull off. The sudden loss of power nearly caused a rear- end collision. 5.An independent service center, American Pride - Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA., also verified the problem and found metal shavings and bearing metal coming from the oil pan. 6. There were no warning lamps or alerts prior to the engine failure; all warning lights illuminated only after the loss of power
My 17 year old son drove across town about 6-7 miles from home, on a back road. Out of nowhere, his 2015 TLX started to make a sound like knocking or thumping. Just moments afterwards, most if not all of the engine warning lamps illuminated at once.. He pulled off as best he could there was a loss of power and massive amounts of steam pouring out from the under hood. At sunrise I went to the car to wait for AAA I was astonished at the mess on the pavement under and around the car, and even more surprised to hear from my mechanic told that the engine had seized. I remember my mechanic using the word "warped" to describe it to me. I had him replace the engine, as I was I unaware of the recall at that time. It was not inspected by anyone besides my mechanic.
Connecting rod bearing seizure leading to engine failure on the TLX 2018 engine 3.5 liter V6 engine. Our 2015 TLX Acura we had to replace our engine because of the connecting rod bearing seizure and our extended warranty covered it around 2020. In 2023 the second the Acura motor which is TLX 2018 engine 3.5 liter V6 failed due to same problem, connecting rod bearing seizure. Acura will not do a recall on that motor. They say because its was manufacture in a different warehouse its not covered or a problem. I know there are other people struggling with the same issues on the 2018 engine. I know there are other investigations on this motor.
Oil pump seal leaking, was leaking prior to rod bearing recall repair, Acura didn't recommend nor replace during recall, engine is smoking, also at night, lane keep assist repeatly steers towards passing vehicle headlights almost causing head-on collision, extremely scary, this is ridiculous and I'm stuck with vehicle being I'm upside down on loan, Absolutely a nightmare!!!! Contacted dealership that completed recall and was given run around so I called acura and they spoke with dealer, dealer waived diagnostic fee, but are charging for parts n services which I can't afford. And, I no longer trust them under my hood so unsure of what to do!!! This is my hard earned money at work!!!
Three years ago, the car started stalling at traffic lights coming to a stop battery was replaced and the problem went away. A new battery was installed a few months ago and in the last week the same stalling situation has occurred three times. Acura says there’s a software update, and when the car was brought in for the recall on the connecting rod bearings, they said they refreshed the software pertaining to this issue, but obviously it does not work others say that it has to do with the idle stop and that disabling it resolves this problem. I haven’t tested this yet, but I am going to, but it’s an ongoing problem. That’s a major safety concern and could cause a fatal accident.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Unable to get an appointment to address the Connecting Rod Bearing recall until May 12, 2025 which is the earliest available. Apparently, Acura is not providing their dealers with enough required tools and parts to do more than 5-6 recall appointments per week with some weeks having no parts available. Given that the engine can actually seize if this issue is present, being asked to wait until May 2025 is simply I unacceptable and does not meet your comment on your website about effecting the repairs in a “timely manner”. I have contacted 4 different dealers and all report the same issues with lack of tools and parts. Acura needs to step up acquisition or manufacturing of tools and parts.
This complaint is NOT for a problem that has occurred. This is a complaint about the refusal of Acura (Honda) to perform the necessary inspection & potential repairs associated with Recall Report # [XXX]; potential connecting rod bearing issue. The intitial recall was issued in 11-2023 with instructions to await receipt of a letter from Acura in Spring 2024, instructing me to schedule an inspection appt with an Acura dealer for inspection. I have called a local dealer several times over the last month & been put off for inspection appt due to "lack of parts". Today, [XXX], I was told by the dealer (Maus Acura of Tampa, FL) that no inspections would be performed until "the Fall" of 2024 per the direction of Acura, unless my vehicle was currently experiencing an issue. "An issue" was defined as a loud repeated knocking noise from the engine, whose repetition is in direct relation to the engine rpm's. I was also told that the bearing inspection is not actually performed locally, but by Acura corporate based on pictures taken by the local dealer. Only then would they decide to: 1) replace rod bearings, or 2) replace the engine. I was told to expect another letter from Acura in the Fall of 2024 directing me to schedule an inspection. At this point, it appears Acura is using a delaying tactic to avoid repairing a potentially dangerous defect, at the expense of my safety. This is in direct conflict to the intent of a Safety Recall. I don't appreciate this fact and its potential affects to my livelihood. I believe that a new form of pressure needs to be applied to Acura to force the inspections and repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving, and my car started slowing down smoking under the hood with a loud noise under the hood like a knocking sounds. Then I heard a loud bang. Paid a tow company to tow my car to the shop mechanic found a large hole in the block. Last oil changed was 03/16/2023. I called acura to see if a recall had been reported after learning about other people having the same issues. It didn't seem normal for a car to blow a block that had oil in it and only 99,000 miles on the engine. Now my car is in the shop and I have been paying to get the engine replaced. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service bulletins that may apply
- Dealer Message
- Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart...
- The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the...
- Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the...
- Owner Notification Letter
- The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to...
- Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not...
- Dealer message
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
- 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.
Recall number 23V751000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2015 Acura TLX knocking
Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2015 Acura TLX?
12 of 344 owner complaints about the 2015 Acura TLX (3%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Acura TLX?
There is 1 recall and 50 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Acura TLX
Jerking 73Hesitation 36Stalling 36Harsh shifting 22Loss of power 19Transmission failure 16Warning lights 15Fuel pump 12Won't shift 12Lane assist 11Won't start 11Check engine light 9Engine failure 9Sunroof shattered 8Sudden acceleration 7Collision warning 6Battery drain 5Slipping 5Start-stop 5
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