2018 Acura TLX: engine failure

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · 114,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine · CA

I bought my 2018 Acura TLX a-spec V6 in Nov. 2021, certified pre-owned from an Acura dealer. It had warranty through 100k miles. 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. A year or so later, deal did inspect the engine for recall, but determined it was not part of the recall. Come current to late April 2026, just before engine #2 hit 70k miles (total miles on car ~139,000), engine has seized again. Driving on freeway and car went into limp mode, thankfully close to home and made it safely. Had car towed next day to mechanic who sent a video of the knocking noise (can send video if requested; unable to upload here) and refused to work on it. He later drove the car down the block and that is when engine completely failed; no longer would turn on. Towed home, towed to dealer a week ½ later when they had opening. Dealer performed diagnostic and confirmed crankshaft seized. However, now, well past warranty coverage. I called Acura customer relations and opened a case; they will only cover "half" of the engine replacement, at a cost of $13,817 to me. My car is less than 10 years old, less than 150k miles overall and should NOT need engine #3. Will same issue happen after another 70k miles? Acura refuses to acknowledge and take care of it 100%.

Filed Sep 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MO

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Engine · PA

I am from Philadelphia PA and I was driving my car on a highway in rural WV and the engine stalled while driving. I was lucky enough that no other cars were around and I was able to veer the car off the road into a parking lot. The car would not re-start. I had to tow my vehicle to a local mechanic shop who could not help. I was stranded out of state on a holiday weekend with no acura in a 2 hour radius. I ended up renting a u-haul and towing the car 8 hours from WV back to a local Acura in Philadelphia. Acura replaced the engine due to the known re-call but refused to cover the cost of the tow or U-haul.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Engine · 80,665 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shuddering and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was jumpstarted by a tow truck operator. The contact noticed an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod bearing or the crankshaft bearing had failed, causing major engine failure. The dealer rebuilt the engine. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,665. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Engine · OH

Vehicle starting making ticking noise, I called Dave White Acura. It very quickly turned into a very loud knocking noise. I called back and they told me to have it towed in which I did. I also took a video of the car knocking. Dave white Acura called me first thing the next day and said, we started your car and it is knocking so loud we immediately shut it off. But no updates were made to my service papers other than my initial phone call. I was advised by Dave White Acura I needed a new engine. I of course asked why, their response was, it’ll be cheaper for you to just put in a new (rebuilt) engine in than for us to tear it apart to find out exactly what it is but you definitely need a new engine. Again, Dave White failed to provide the necessary updates through the process and now Honda is refusing my reimbursement. I paid over $8016 to have a rebuilt engine but into my 2018 TLX.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Engine · 107,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Engine · MD

Acura has a safety recall on my vehicle for the rod bearing causing engine to seize and my engine seized I purchased the car in 2022. I was not aware that the engine was replaced in the vehicle before. The engine serial number does not match the vin but Acura is saying they won't replace it because the engine serial number doesn't match the and want me to pay 8k-10k to have it replaced. Being as though this is a known problem with this engine for years it's possible the previous owner could've replaced the engine for the very exact same reason there's a national recall for it now.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Engine · GA

My name is [XXX] On [XXX] while driving to lunch from work. I heard a faint knocking noise from my car. Came back to work and schedule an appointment with my mechanic dealer in Atlanta and there i notice a recall regarding the rod bearing. On the way back to where I was staying in Savannah Ga, the noise gotten a little louder when i pulled up in the driveway. I didn’t want to drive it so i call a local Acura dealership in Savannah. The tow truck that came to pick up the car ask if the car was drive-able to load on truck. When i crank it…he said that the rod. From the car was towed to Southern Motors Acura in Savannah. My dealership mechanic is Nalley Acura in Atlanta Ga. Since Nov 30th, i been in a rental out of pocket since Feb 25, 2024. Each time i speak with American Honda they tell me the parts are not available as of yet. This has been an expensive and frustrating process dealing with them and nothing seems to be heading in the positive direction. At this point i want a new engine. Reason being, the car has been sitting idle for months and the existing parts that’s not being in operation may no longer be of good use with any new parts. I work in Manufacturing as a manufacturing engineer. This happens in Aerospace all the time. Trying to install new part along with existing parts that haven’t been in use, may have corrosion, will eventually go bad due to shelf life and seasonal weather changes. Please assist me in this matter. My number is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · GA

there has been a recall out for my vehicle since november 9th or so and i took my car in around the 19th of november because my car started making a loud knocking noise and i initially knew that it was from the recall and so i took it in on the 20th to have it inspected and so when i took it to get inspected and diagnosed to see what was going on.. acura carland told me it from my rod bearing but there was no fix available at the time and so the noise was terrible and i asked if it’s ok to drive on and the service manager hector hernandez told me it was fine just keep up with the old change and see what happens in january which i didn’t agree with and so a month goes by and im heading home from work my car keep making the knocking noise and it getting worse than ever and my vehicle is stalling on the road and i was just praying that it doesn’t blow on me or catch fire and so as soon as i am turning off the exit to pull over and get home my engine completely seized and left my car in neutral and start rolling with no engine response. my engine completely blew and wouldn’t crank and it finally stopped rolling. i had gotten it towed home and reached out to the manufacturer and dealer to see what happens now and so i was told to have it towed to the dealer to get a engine diagnosis done so my case could get started and once i got that done. i was referred that my engine needs to be replaced due to the rod bearing creating metal shavings to enter my engine and damaging it. once i sent over the documentation and photos to the manufacturer i was still told there’s nothing to be done till january forcing me to be without a vehicle for 2 1/2 months with no loaner or anything. i been fighting for a resolution and nobody has done anything but point fingers at the dealer and manufacturer when i just needed a resolution for the time being to get me through till there is a permanent solution and has me left stressed and forced to rely on public transportation in various condition

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Engine, Steering · MN

I am one of many owners of an Acura/Honda J35 V6 engine that has had a connecting rod bearing failure at low mileage to no fault of the owner. In this case that is me. I bought this vehicle 5,000 miles ago from a dealer and it ran great. No issues. Ran trouble codes. None. Out of no where it started ticking. I stopped. Many other people who don’t know cars wouldn’t. If you keep driving the vehicle with this engine failure it eventually seizes the motor and you lose power steering. Connecting rods can snap and be projected through the engine as well. This is an uncommon failure in engines unless neglected or there is a defect. Honda even had to recall vehicle many years ago for the same exact issue which is now occurring again. I am encouraging other owners to file a complaint that are in our Acura forum online. Will be able to submit documentation when car is fixed. At dealer now.

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Engine · DE

Car goes into limp mode at highway speeds due to an issue with the engine. Engine needs replacing at low miles. Safety hazard that is not expected to happen when proper maintenance is performed promptly and car is driven appropriately.