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2015 Acura Tlx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tlx years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Acura Tlx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 65.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

231 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

18 reports
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20,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE I WILL BE DRIVING AND MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTS AND COASTS TO A STOP. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS BEING PLACED IN NEUTRAL WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS. IT WILL JUST REV THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AS WELL. I TYPICALLY TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR AND …

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THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE I WILL BE DRIVING AND MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTS AND COASTS TO A STOP. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS BEING PLACED IN NEUTRAL WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS. IT WILL JUST REV THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AS WELL. I TYPICALLY TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR AND THE CAR WILL THEN WORK JUST FINE. THESE INCIDENTS SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11400022

55,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

SEVERAL TIMES, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE CAR TO CHECK ALL OF THE SYSTEMS AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS MID DRIVE MOSTLY WHILE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD BUT SOMETIMES ON A MAJOR PARKWAY. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR THE CAR WOULD START BACK UP. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR OR CHANGE GEAR WHILE IT WAS S…

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SEVERAL TIMES, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE CAR TO CHECK ALL OF THE SYSTEMS AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS MID DRIVE MOSTLY WHILE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD BUT SOMETIMES ON A MAJOR PARKWAY. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR THE CAR WOULD START BACK UP. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR OR CHANGE GEAR WHILE IT WAS SHUT OFF. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL 2015 ACURAS WERE RECALLED WITH THIS ISSUE BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I TOOK WHEN IT WAS LAST FLASHING IF THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

NHTSA ODI #11373196

72,400 miles · Apr 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

STARTING IN NOV 2019 MY ACURA TLX STARTED TO SPONTANEOUSLY DECELERATE AND LOSE ENGINE POWER WHEN IN MOTION. ERROR CODE OF P0087 WAS PROVIDED BY ACURA OF MILFORD, CT AND WAS HIGHLY SUGGESTIVE OF REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN EARLY DEC 2019 HOWEVER THE CAR CONTINUED WITH LOSS OF POWER, TER…

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STARTING IN NOV 2019 MY ACURA TLX STARTED TO SPONTANEOUSLY DECELERATE AND LOSE ENGINE POWER WHEN IN MOTION. ERROR CODE OF P0087 WAS PROVIDED BY ACURA OF MILFORD, CT AND WAS HIGHLY SUGGESTIVE OF REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN EARLY DEC 2019 HOWEVER THE CAR CONTINUED WITH LOSS OF POWER, TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, POOR ACCELERATION AND MULTIPLE WARNINGS ILLUMINATED. ACURA OF MILFORD WAS CONTACTED AND THEY NOTED IT MAY BE THE OTHER FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SECOND IN TANK FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED MID DEC 2019 WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO ACURA DEC 31, 2019 AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE FOUND, THEY RESET THE P0087 CODE AND DID A HARD RESET. THE CAR STILL CONTINUED WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS BUT NOW WITH A HUMMING NOISE PRESENT. IN FEB 2020, THE FUEL RAIL AND SENSOR WAS REPLACED, YET STILL NO IMPROVEMENT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO ACURA AND ONCE AGAIN THEY RESET THE ERROR CODE AND NOTED THEY ONLY FOUND CORROSION NEAR THE SENSOR AND THEY CLEANED IT OFF. CAR WAS DRIVING MUCH WORSE NOW AND IF IT LOSS POWER IT WOULD NOT START UP UNLESS CRANKED 15-25 TIMES IN A 10 MIN WINDOW. MARCH 2020 THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT DRIVING RIGHT, ALL SYMPTOMS STILL PRESENT AND THE HUMMING NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. THIS CAR HAS LOSS POWER WHILE IN MOTION RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, BOTH ON STREET AND MOST DANGEROUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY, EMBARRASSING BUT THANKFUL TO SOME GOOD SAMARITANS THAT HAVE EXITED THEIR VEHICLE TO PUSH ME SAFETY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ACURA CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS YET JUST RESETS THE ERROR CODE AND SENDS ME ON MY WAY TO CALL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY SINCE NOV 2019 AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS, EVEN AFTER I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THIS CAR BASED OFF THEIR GUESSES.

NHTSA ODI #11320004

53,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR CONSTANTLY SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN GEARS 1-2 AND WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL RPMS INCREASE AND WHEN THE THE BOTTOM OF HILL IT SHIFTS HARD IN GEAR. THE VCM MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL APART THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY CAUSE DAMAGES TO OTHER CAR COMPONENTS. WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK ON MY PRETTY MUCH FLATS ROAD THE CAR ROLLS FO…

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CAR CONSTANTLY SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN GEARS 1-2 AND WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL RPMS INCREASE AND WHEN THE THE BOTTOM OF HILL IT SHIFTS HARD IN GEAR. THE VCM MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL APART THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY CAUSE DAMAGES TO OTHER CAR COMPONENTS. WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK ON MY PRETTY MUCH FLATS ROAD THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11271015

22,300 miles · Jul 18, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, I HAD TO MANEUVER THRU TRAFFIC AND DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO ANY GEAR, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE VEHICLE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RE-FLASHED/PROGRAMMED. T…

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AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, I HAD TO MANEUVER THRU TRAFFIC AND DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO ANY GEAR, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE VEHICLE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RE-FLASHED/PROGRAMMED. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FOR AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER.THERE ARE NO FAULT CODES INDICATED AS TO WHY OR WHAT CAUSED THIS ISSUE. I DID FIND THROUGH RESEARCH THAT A WIRING HARNESS IS CAUSING THESE CONDITIONS IN THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11233005

30,000 miles · Apr 19, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR NEARLY STALLS, ROLLED BACK 3-4 FEET PRIOR TO RESTARTING AFTER THE IDLE STOP HAD IN- GAUGED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1-4 LIKE SOMEONE WHO NEVER DROVE WITH A CLUTCH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. IT HESITATES AND NEARLY STALLS WHEN DOING SLOW MANEUVERING IN AND AROUND PARKING LOTS AND SLOW TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEARLY HA…

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THE CAR NEARLY STALLS, ROLLED BACK 3-4 FEET PRIOR TO RESTARTING AFTER THE IDLE STOP HAD IN- GAUGED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1-4 LIKE SOMEONE WHO NEVER DROVE WITH A CLUTCH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. IT HESITATES AND NEARLY STALLS WHEN DOING SLOW MANEUVERING IN AND AROUND PARKING LOTS AND SLOW TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEARLY HAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE HESITATION IN TRAFFIC. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR WILL NOT MAINTAIN ITS SET SPEED ON A DOWNHILL GRADE, IT GETS JERKY AND INCREASES SPEED AS MUCH AS 10-12 MPH UNLESS I RIDE THE BRAKE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW, THE FIRST TIME THEY DID ALL THE UPDATES ON THE COMPUTER AND FUEL PUMP...ITS JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD HAVE A COMPLETE RECALL!!! THE NEXT QUESTIONS ASK FOR A SPECIFIC TIME AND DATE...THIS IS ONGOING AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY.

NHTSA ODI #11197366

130,000 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

PICKING CHILD FROM SCHOOL, CAR WAS IDLE WHILE WAITING, ONCE I STARTED TO MOVE, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL. I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS BUT IT WOULDN'T GO AND WHEN IT DID, IT WAS IN SHORT JERKING ACTIONS. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. THE FULL DASH BOARD LIT UP AND THE CAR FINALLY CUT OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT AN…

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PICKING CHILD FROM SCHOOL, CAR WAS IDLE WHILE WAITING, ONCE I STARTED TO MOVE, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL. I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS BUT IT WOULDN'T GO AND WHEN IT DID, IT WAS IN SHORT JERKING ACTIONS. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. THE FULL DASH BOARD LIT UP AND THE CAR FINALLY CUT OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT AND 45 MIN LATER, IT TURNED ON AGAIN. IT WOULDN'T GO FAST AND DRAGGED. SHOP GAVE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THERE WAS POSSIBLE PROBLEM W THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS CAUSE DASHBOARD TO LIGHT UP. THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. THIS WAS ON 3/15/2019. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS MOMENTS AND THINK THERE MAY BE A BIGGER ISSUE. CALLED ACURA AND THEY STATED MY CAR VIN DOES NOT SHOW ANY RECALLS SO IF IT'S THE FUEL PUMP I WILL NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. HAVE AUTO SHOP REPORT IF NEEDED

NHTSA ODI #11197181

30 miles · May 4, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THE ONBOARD SYSTEM CRASHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL THE WARNINGS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO PARK. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR INTO DRIVE MODE THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I TURNED OFF AND ON MY CAR THE ISSUES PERSISTED. AFTER I TURNED OFF AND ON MY CAR A THIRD TIME THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11091680

Official recalls

6

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V751000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

Nov 13, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

19V060000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 29, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

16V640000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 6, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V779000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Dec 8, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V613000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 1, 2014

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to September 20, 2014. The affected vehicles may have incorrect values for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear printed on the safety certification label. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 21, 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK6.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA25004 · No Restart After Auto Start/stop Engages

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/camshaft Position Sensor; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/camshaft Position Sensor

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.