Check a VIN

Acura TLX won't shift problems

34 of the 903 owner complaints about the Acura TLX describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2015 model year.

owner complaints
34
worst model year
2015
typical mileage
42,750
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 6, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Driving car and suddenly all the lights on the dash light up and car goes into “limp” mode. Upon pulling over turning car off and turning back on lights are all still lit up. Plug car into obd2 scanner and car is showing code p0087 low fuel rail pressure. This is extremely dangerous as the car will randomly do this and will go into limp mode which can easily cause me to get into an accident. No active recalls on this but I’m seeing this is a common issue with these Acura tlx models. Why hasn’t this issue been addressed yet Acura?! For reference I drive a 2018 Acura tlx base model 2.4 cylinder

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 Apr 24, 2026 · Transmission · NC

I am reporting a transmission failure in my 2021 Acura TLX with approximately 84,300miles. While driving under normal conditions, after about 30 minutes on the road, I came to a stop at a red light. When I attempted to accelerate again, the vehicle would not shift out of first gear. The engine would rev, but the transmission failed to upshift. I also experienced a hard and abrupt engagement when shifting the vehicle into reverse. This issue occurred suddenly without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to operate in traffic, as I was unable to accelerate properly or maintain normal driving speed. The vehicle has been regularly serviced at an Acura dealership. At the time of the incident, the transmission fluid had not yet been replaced but had recently been recommended during a scheduled service visit. The vehicle is currently at an Acura dealership where I normally get the car serviced. The dealership has diagnosed the issue as an internal transmission failure and is recommending a transmission replacement.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Engine · PA

I have a 2016 Acura TLX 3.5L j35Y6 AWD that initially Had the safety recall XG1 and the engine was replaced at roughly 140k miles, 40k miles later the replacement engine suffered the same problem, and I am aware that I am not the only person this has happened to as there is currently a the federal safety agency investigation PE25008 that is related to these replacement engines failing. I have pushed the dealership for full replacement as this is not right and they have not budged as to the replacement. there were no warning lamps as to before the failure. the engine just threw me into limp mode.

Filed Nov 27, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

Unknown: EBS comes on as well as the break system problem lights and many more. Vehicle loses power and goes into limp mode. As of now it wont shift from PArking

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Steering · TX

Was driving on the highway at posted 65 and 70-mph when car suddenly went into 'limp mode' to under 50mph and I was forced to exit the highway after nearly being rear-ended. Dash error indicated 'Precision All wheel steering had malfunctioned'. Took the car to Crown Acura in Cleveland where I was told that it would be $9210 to replace two rear wheel steering actuators or $2800 if they used salvage parts. This was a known issue with the 2015-2020 Acura TLX cars and there are numerous reports online in TLX and Acura forums. Had a semi truck been behind me, there is no question that I would have been in an accident and injured if not killed. Acura needs to address this issue with these cars under a federally mandated recall notice.

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · MD

Multiple dash lights including "brake system failure, collision mitigation system problem, adaptive cruise control problem, road departure mitigation system problem, etc." RPMs effected, car does not shift into third gear. Safety of myself and others were at risk because the vehicle stalled then would not go over 20mph. Had this been a busy highway, lack of warning could cause a major collision. The vehicle was recently inspected and passed by Criswell Honda, Gaithersburg and purchased by me today. No dash lights were displayed. I drove less than 100 miles before the issue occurred. The vehicle is currently being towed back to Criswell Honda for diagnostics and repair (or I was told that is what they will be doing).

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · NC

The wipers come on by themselves and do not turn off. The engine may or may not start with the key fob nearby. All the dash warning lights come on with warnings about the brake system, the transmission, the steering, the adaptive cruise control all reporting a problem. The vehicle goes to limp mode and throttle response is severely reduced. There is some sort of water leak which is shorting out or causing the BCM or body control module to act erratically due to water from rain getting into the area because of improper weather sealant placed during manufacturing. There is a service bulletin that was put out in roughly April of 2024 that describes this issue affecting the 2021 TLX models.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MA

EVERYTHING PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ( ON OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTS) HAPPENED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY! YOU NEED TO CORRECT THIS!!! [XXX] the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 11641522 Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the federal safety agency ID Number: 11641522 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location TEMPE, AZ Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] *** Summary of Complaint CRASHNo FIRENo INJURIES0 DEATHS0 I was driving on the freeway going at the speed of traffic about 65-70mph then suddenly I heard my car engine slowing down and multiple lights popped up on my dashboard. I looked at my speedometer and it indeed was decreasing in speed. I tried to accelerate little by little and it did not. My check brake system, check brake hold system, check power steering system, check VSA system, check hillstart assist system, check emission system lights popped up on my dashboard. My car felt like I was popping the clutch, jerking a lot. I was able to move over to the right shoulder and park. I turned the car off and I was able to turn it back on unfortunately but the lights were still popping up and my car kept jerking and not accelerating. This happened while driving on the highway this is extremely dangerous! There has been others with the same issue. 1 Affected Product Copy Link to Information July 12, 2024 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 11601499 Components: POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the federal safety agency ID Number: 11601499 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] Summary of Complaint CRASHNo FIRENo INJURIES0 DEATHS0 While driving on the freeway/highway my vehicle went into limp mode and shifted into neutral. My vehicle would not allow me to shift gears and the car would not let me accelerate anymore. I had to think quickly and move out from upcoming traffic. With little speed I had on my vehicle I could only shut down the car and wait for a tow truck. T INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Fuel system · 103,832 miles · NC

I was driving down the road out of town about 3 hours away from home when I heard a beep and car started to stop, later finding out it was going into “limp mode”. It was then towed to a car shop which was not any help, they stated that they didn’t know what was wrong with it and that I needed to take it to Honda down the road 2.5 miles that it just needed a system update; very mistreated and rude not offering towing service suggestions or anything told me I can still crank and drive it just not fast. I got into my car and drove it to Honda which would not go over 15mph trying to get there before closing on a Friday afternoon. After their diagnosis, I was told it was a fuel pump issue but my VIN was not included upfront but prompted me to file a claim report with Acura to see if I could get a reimbursement later on, which was denied due to no recall listed on my VIN which led me to file this claim to get my VIN reanalyzed as I believe it should be included since it is directly related to the known recalls on Acura and don’t agree that is enough to exclude or disprove my VIN. Unfortunately Honda did not have any courtesy vehicles to offer at the time so I had to have someone come pick me up 3 hours from home. The low pressure fuel pump was initially replaced but then stated there was still issue with my car and it was also the high pressure fuel pump as well, both of which are recalls listed on other various year and models of Acura. About a month prior to this situation, a few lights came on related to ABS, the code read mass airflow, still driving as usual. I made an appointment at mechanic to have it worked on and had to wait a few days, the day of the lights weren’t on and when arrived they stated did not see anything wrong with it but may return if happens again.

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 won't shift

Which Acura TLX years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2015 (12 complaints), 2017 (6 complaints) and 2018 (6 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Acura TLX?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history