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Acura TLX knocking problems

66 of the 901 owner complaints about the Acura TLX describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
66
worst model year
2018
typical mileage
114,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

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 Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · 40,600 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, there was an engine knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate properly and decelerated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed and the engine short block was replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that there were metal shavings inside the engine oil pan. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the repair for the recall was revised to include replacement of the engine long block. The failure mileage was 40,600.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine · 147,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearings had failed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine · MS

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

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Engine · CA

- The engine ceased while the car was moving, causing (a) A sudden stop (b) Engine stopping and the car becoming inoperable in the middle of a street. - There were no injuries because the failure happened at low speed. The same failure on an expressway would be a major safety concern since the car came to sudden stop. - The failed engine was inspected by an authorized Acura dealer. Cause identified as cylinder 2 rod bearing failure. - There was a slight knocking sound right before the incident occured - The car was driving fine before the incident. There were no warning indicators. - The engine (short block) was replaced previously on the same car due to a knocking sound.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · 89,000 miles · KY

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Engine · MA · fire

Acura TLX 2017, with only 112,000 miles. On [XXX], while the consumer was driving, the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer saw what appeared to be smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer stopped the vehicle immediately at a 4-way intersection, put it in park, and turned it off. The hood latch was open. When the consumer opened the hood, the engine compartment was on fire, and the car was engulfed in fire within seconds. Fire department and Police depratment arrived at the scene. The car was deemed a total loss, and the fire was determined to have started in the engine compartment. In May 2024, Acura stated that the connecting rod bearing needed replacement and that it was covered under the recall. However, 6 months after replacement, in October 2024, the knocking noise returned. The vehicle was brought to the Acura dealership, which noted at that time that the engine needed to be replaced, but the repair was denied under the recall this time. As required and recommended by the Acura Dealership, as well as by the recall, which noted safety risks, the consumer moved forward with having the engine replaced by the Acura Dealership, and the cosnsumer paid out of pocket. The vehicle was at the Acura dealership in Westwood for service from October 2024 until February 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Engine · GA

- The engine system failed and it is available for inspection -While driving on the highway at normal traffic speed, my vehicle suddenly developed a loud knocking noise and the check engine light lit up. Within moments, the engine lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to continue driving while being 300 miles away from home. This incident occurred at about 5-6AM, having to maneuver through traffic before the sunrise. This created a serious safety risk because surrounding vehicles were traveling at full speed increasing the risk of collision. There were no warning signs of this failure and I was unfortunately stranded on the highway in an unfamiliar town for hours with minors in the vehicle. -Yes, the vehicle was towed to a local dealeriship, Hahira Automotive Services, where the engine failure occurred and they confirmed that they were unable to start the car and the knocking sound was indicative of engine failure. I towed the car to an Acura dealership local to my home and they confirmed the same vehicle condition and that a takedown is required to fully inspect the engine. -The engine has not been inspected by anyone only the vehicle condition -There were no warning signs of engine failure prior to the incident

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I have this car 2017 acura tlx v6 shawd from acura dealership 3months already. I hear little knocking sound from my bottom block.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported November 13, 2023 · 248,999 vehicles affected
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

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleysReported April 12, 2019 · 93,946 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
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.

Recall number 19V298000 · Recall details

Questions about the Acura TLX knocking

Which Acura TLX years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (20 complaints), 2019 (14 complaints) and 2015 (12 complaints).

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