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Acura TLX hesitation problems

50 of the 903 owner complaints about the Acura TLX describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2015 model year.

owner complaints
50
worst model year
2015
typical mileage
3,957
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2020
    3
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    3
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    36

What owners say

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2015 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The message to stop driving and have the vehicle serviced immediately was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) warmer had failed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with other undisclosed failures due to the ATF warmer failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failures and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

The fuel delivery system, specifically the fuel pump, has malfunctioned. This vehicle is subject to a fuel pump safety recall, which was reportedly repaired in 2022; however, the vehicle continues to experience the same failure symptoms and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has stalled multiple times at highway speeds, resulting in sudden loss of power while driving and creating an immediate risk of collision with surrounding traffic. My family was in the vehicle during these incidents, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury or death. The problem has been reproduced multiple times, including after the vehicle was taken to an authorized Acura dealership. During the most recent visit, diagnostic trouble codes were cleared, but the recalled fuel pump was not repaired or replaced. After being released by the dealership, the vehicle stalled again under similar driving conditions. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, but no corrective repair was performed beyond clearing codes. The manufacturer has not yet properly remedied the recurring safety defect. Prior to stalling, the vehicle exhibited intermittent hesitation, loss of power, and engine shutdown. Warning indicators and fault codes were present at times and were cleared by the dealership without resolving the underlying issue. These symptoms have continued intermittently since the recall repair. This appears to be a failure to properly diagnose and correct a known safety defect, resulting in repeated dangerous highway stalls and placing occupants at serious risk.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Engine · TX

On or about October 21–22, 2025, I brought my 2020 Acura TLX (brown, 99,000 miles, VIN [XXX] ) to Goodson Acura of Dallas for a recall repair related to engine concerns. The vehicle was returned to me on October 24, 2025. Shortly afterward, the car began to lag and hesitate while accelerating. On November 3, 2025, while driving to a doctor’s appointment on the Bypass Bridge in morning traffic, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost power completely. This created a dangerous situation in active traffic. I recently underwent surgery following a serious burn injury, so limited mobility made this stall especially hazardous. After restarting the engine, multiple ADAS and system-fault warnings appeared. I contacted Goodson Acura and was advised to bring the vehicle in. Upon arrival, the service advisor confirmed the warning lights but required a $205 diagnostic fee despite the recall work. Acura Client Relations opened Case No. XXX and advised the charge should not apply if related to the recall. After waiting several hours, I was told the battery had died and that front camera/ADAS systems were returning codes. This stall occurred less than two weeks after recall repair and could easily have caused a serious crash or injury. I am requesting a full investigation into the recall repair, the stalling issue, and any related safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was hesitated before responding as needed. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer but had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2025 · Fuel system · FL

Car experiences intermittent hesitation and jerking during acceleration. When car is driven in "economy" mode the jerking begins at 20 mph. When the car is driven in "normal" mode the When accelerating and merging onto highway car was almost rear-ended twice due to sluggish acceleration and jerking. Car also demonstrates engine surging while sitting idle. Spark plugs were changed, fuel treatment was done, and throttle body was inspected. No codes appear when car is scanned. Car has not displayed and illuminated check engine light or any other warning lights. Car was taken into local Acura dealership where problem was unable to be replicated and diagnosis was inconclusive.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

On several occasions I have experienced issues with the performance of my vehicle. Upon start up and attempting to move forward while the car is in drive the vehicle hesitates to move and feels like it is going to choke and stop. I have experienced this same issue at stops while the car is in operation. There is an open recall for 2015-20 TLX no SH-AWD Fuel Pump Mtr Saf Recall Exp2, RECALL DATE:12/18/2023 which has yet to be fixed. I have been told by Tempe Acura that the parts are not available and basically I will be called when the parts are available. My safety and the safety of others are at risk when the car is not accelerating and causing a stalling or non-movement of the car. I have experienced the car stalling abruptly and coming to hard stops. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer by notice in the mail. The vehicle has been inspected when another recall was fixed which took over a year to resolve. This specific issue has yet to be resolved. There was another issue of the car stalling, which the dealer states that the electronic system needed a computer update. The problem first appeared when I purchased the car from {XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Fuel system · 149,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal for several seconds, and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact attempted to repair the issue by adding fuel cleaner and other products to the engine, but the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered and linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Engine · 127,300 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Acura TLX. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the dealer confirmed that the rod bearing had been replaced under the recall remedy. After receiving the repair, while driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the vibration became more prominent at speeds of 70 MPH or higher. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power briefly before regaining normal operation. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who performed the recall repair to confirm that the engine had been inspected. The dealer confirmed that the rod bearing had been replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,300.

Filed May 29, 2024 · Fuel system · 48,700 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating at various speeds. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle also failed to start intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and it was determined that the repair would not be expedited because the check engine warning light was not illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 48,700. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

Unknown- Check TPMS System, Check Parking Brake System, Check Brake System, Park light, all came on and stays on. While driving car shut off multiple times, speed will reduce, car will hesitate and jerk when trying to pull off from stop light.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported September 6, 2016 · 8,354 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX 2WD and 4WD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
Risk
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Acura has notified owners, and dealers will, based on the automatic transmission serial number, update the transmission software to prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral due to a faulty crimp, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC2.

Recall number 16V640000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported December 8, 2014 · 9,392 vehicles affected
What is wrong
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX V6 2WD vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to November 12, 2014, and certain 2015 TLX V6 SH-AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to November 10, 2014. The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This may prevent the transmission from shifting into the Park position.
Risk
If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑310‑783‑2000. Honda's number for this recall is JM8.

Recall number 14V779000 · Recall details

Questions about the Acura TLX hesitation

Which Acura TLX years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2015 (36 complaints), 2017 (3 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).

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