2019 Acura TLX: engine failure

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

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 Honda directed a forced out-of-pocket internal engine teardown. The physical teardown explicitly confirmed a catastrophic connecting rod bearing failure (spun bearing) identical to the structural manufacturing flaws currently under active federal investigation by the federal safety agency under Preliminary Evaluation PE25008 / RQ24-025. Corporate Honda subsequently issued a verbal agreement to fully reimburse my out-of-pocket teardown fees. Because a manufacturer will never fund diagnostic labor if evidence of owner fault is present, this corporate reimbursement serves as formal validation that no owner maintenance neglect occurred, and that the engine died exclusively from an inherent component defect. Gunn Acura (San Antonio, TX) confirmed with my vin, that Engine #3 was a warranty/dealer-installed replacement unit at 22,000 miles. It failed after less than 40,000 miles of total operation. A professionally manufactured and dealer-installed engine is reasonably expected to last well beyond 40,000 miles. The manufacturer network cannot utilize arbitrary part-ownership rules or uncooperative, fragmented dealer communications. The original factory-installed engine and the dealer-installed replacement engine both suffered identical connecting rod bearing failures.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Transmission · MO

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding the execution of the federal safety agency 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 strictly follow this bulletin for warranty reimbursement, they are systematically leaving old filters on engines that just received new bearings. This means old, metal-contaminated oil trapped in the filter is immediately recirculated through the brand-new precision bearings. This procedural flaw directly jeopardizes the integrity of the engine, completely undermining the purpose of the safety recall and putting drivers at risk of sudden engine failure at highway speeds. I have time-stamped video and photographic evidence of my vehicle’s mileage (61,325) and the untouched, original oil filter immediately after returning home from the dealership. Acura Corporate was contacted regarding this procedural negligence and failed to provide a resolution. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate Acura's repair procedures for Recall 24-002 to prevent further unsafe vehicle modifications.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MN

In 2022, my 2019 Acura TLX A-Spec received a warranty engine replacement due to a spun bearing. At that time, recall 23V‑751 (connecting rod bearing defect) did not yet exist. Recently, the replacement engine developed a pronounced knocking/ticking noise at idle and during light acceleration. Multiple independent mechanics and an Acura service department confirmed the noise is abnormal and consistent with connecting rod bearing wear as described in the recall. Acura advised that my VIN is not included in the recall because the original engine was replaced. However, the replacement engine was supplied by Acura prior to the recall and may contain the same defective components. The dealership and Acura corporate did not inspect the internal components or verify whether the replacement engine used the revised bearing parts — they only referenced the VIN and engine number to deny recall eligibility. I currently have an open case with Acura, and the vehicle is scheduled for diagnostic inspection. I was informed that if the issue is determined to be related to recall 23V‑751, diagnostic costs may be reimbursed, but there is no guarantee. This situation raises concern because my symptoms, timeline, and component failure are consistent with the known defect, yet my vehicle remains excluded from coverage. Given the safety implications of possible engine seizure or loss of power while driving, I am requesting that the federal safety agency review whether vehicles with Acura-supplied replacement engines should also fall under recall 23V‑751. All service records and warranty history with Acura are available for review upon request.

Filed Sep 27, 2025 · Engine · GA

I am writing to formally request assistance with a premature engine failure on my 2019 Acura TLX A-Spec 3.5L (VIN: [XXX] , Mileage: 95k I have consistently followed Acura’s recommended maintenance schedule, as documented by my service history. My vehicle was also serviced under [insert recall number if you have it] at [insert dealer name], as required by Acura, and I have attached records confirming that the recall work was performed. Despite this compliance with all required maintenance and recall service, my vehicle has experienced a serious engine malfunction. This failure appears to be related to the same type of connecting rod bearing or crankshaft issue currently under investigation by the federal safety agency (the federal safety agency Preliminary Evaluation PE25008), which covers the 2018–2020 Acura TLX with the 3.5L V6 engine. Given that: •I have properly maintained the vehicle as recommended. •The recall repair was performed, yet the engine failure still occurred. •the federal safety agency is investigating this exact issue as a potential defect affecting safety and reliability. I am respectfully requesting goodwill coverage for the full cost of the necessary engine repair or replacement. If Acura is unable to offer immediate coverage, I request that this case remain open and that I be considered for reimbursement should a recall or service campaign be issued as a result of the ongoing the federal safety agency investigation. I chose Acura for its reputation for reliability, and I trust that Acura will stand by its customers when a serious issue like this occurs. I look forward to your timely response so we can resolve this matter promptly. Thank you for your attention and assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Engine · NV

The engine seized due to failed cylinder rod and/or Engine bearing. This model has had a recall for the exact same issue in the past. It has been repair from when the previous owner had the car. Now this exact same issue occurred on 06/09/2025, after a month of driving the vehicle. I was driving and in the middle of nowhere my engine stopped working and it was hard to steer, couldn't accelerate, car was in motion and had to safely pull off the road. I was stranded in the Las Vegas heat, in Henderson, in the middle of no where for 5 hours. The vehicle is getting repaired at a local repair shop with a replacement engine but I'm unsure if the newer engine has had the recall service done to it or not, so there is a potential possibility that this issue can occur again. I've had to spend 400 including deductible to repair the vehicle and is being repaired with the help of my warranty. I did not get any warnings on dash or anything.

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · DC

Engine failure due to spun rod bearing due to the rod bearing connection failing. Vehicle suddenly became completely immobile stopping on a busy road in the city during morning rush hour. Vehicle not only put me in danger, but many other drivers on the road because it stopped halfway into the street refusing to go forward or shift to neutral to be pushed up. There were no electrical or battery issues. Yes, the dealership has acknowledged there is a recall that has not come out yet on the rod bearing connection as well as letters from Acura regarding this problem. Yes, Acura dealership service center has inspected the vehicle with no solution proposed or a diagnosis even. No warning lights until the engine completely failed. There was a rattling/tickling sound for a few days prior to my appointment to get it checked out. The rattling grew faster upon pressing on the gas while parked and accelerating while driving. The vehicle’s engine failed on my way to the service center. The profession was very quickly on a Monday the rattling began it was driven less than 10 miles daily until the engine completely failed on Friday which was the first available service appointment.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Engine · 70,000 miles · MD · fire

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 from the engine compartment and the liquid from the leak had ignited and another fire had started. The contact stated that the liquid fire had stopped combusting and as she approached the vehicle to retrieve personal items, the vehicle burst into flames at the engine compartment. The fire department and the police arrived. The fire department extinguished the flames with water. The police filed a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that her insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that before the engine fire she had taken the vehicle to a dealer who had diagnosed a failure for a similar abnormal ticking sound and had replaced the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle fire had occurred one week after the engine had been replaced. The contact stated that she had researched online and related the failure and subsequent fire to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.