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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

Power Train complaints

160 reports
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3,900 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Power Train

WHILE SLOWLY DRIVING MY 2015 ACURA TLX INTO MY HOME GARAGE AND PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK WITH THE RED LIGHT INDICATING THE PARKING GEAR WAS ENGAGED AND LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE I COULD STOP THE MOVEMENT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO MY DRYWALL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS…

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WHILE SLOWLY DRIVING MY 2015 ACURA TLX INTO MY HOME GARAGE AND PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK WITH THE RED LIGHT INDICATING THE PARKING GEAR WAS ENGAGED AND LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE I COULD STOP THE MOVEMENT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO MY DRYWALL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW CAR AND I ASSUMED I MAY HAD NOT HAD THE CAR PROPERLY IN PARK AND NO DAMAGE OCCURRED AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SO CALLED DRIVER ERROR. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME 8 MONTHS LATER MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH IN THE CAR AND OBSERVED THE RED PARKING LIGHT WAS ON INDICATING THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD CAUSING THE DAMAGE. THE ACURA DEALER ASKED TO KEEP MY CAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 17 DAYS UNTIL IT COULD BE INSPECTED BY DPSM (ACURA'S DESCRIPTION) AND I WAS TOLD NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THIS WAS VERY SIMILAR TO A PRIOR 2015 ACURA TLX RECALL INSTITUTED LAST YEAR BY NHTSA. THE ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT REACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT RECALL UNTIL I GAVE THEM A COPY OF THE INFORMATION POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THE ONLY SUGGESTION OFFERED BY THE DEALER AFTER THEIR INSPECTION WAS TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. THE MILEAGE ON MY ODOMETER WAS UNDER 4,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THEIR INSPECTION AND MY CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN I AM AT WORK AND AT HOME SO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS THE ONLY LOSS WE ENCOUNTERED FROM THIS UNDISCLOSED SAFETY DEFECT AND HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN BE REMEDIED BEFORE MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OCCUR TO OTHER TLX DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI #10823631

16,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

THIS CAR IS A TOTAL LEMON - DO NOT PURCHASE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER 9 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS FOR NON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND IT IS GETTING TOWED THERE AGAIN TODAY. MYRIAD OF ISSUES FROM LACK OF BRAKES TO JERKING TRANSMISSION TO FLAT OUT WON'T START. I PURCHASED AN ACURA FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND THAT IS MOST CERTAI…

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THIS CAR IS A TOTAL LEMON - DO NOT PURCHASE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER 9 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS FOR NON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND IT IS GETTING TOWED THERE AGAIN TODAY. MYRIAD OF ISSUES FROM LACK OF BRAKES TO JERKING TRANSMISSION TO FLAT OUT WON'T START. I PURCHASED AN ACURA FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND THAT IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT WHAT I OWN NOW. I HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH ACURA CORPORATE BUT THE DEALER (POHANKA ACURA, CHANTILLY VA) WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLES THEY SELL. BUYER BEWARE OF THIS CAR!!

NHTSA ODI #10808964

79 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Power Train

LEASED THE VEHICLE ON 12/7/2015 . AFTER A FEW HOURS OFF THE LOT THE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY FROM 2-3 GEAR. ALSO EXPERIENCED SPORADIC GEAR SHIFTS.

NHTSA ODI #10808933

4,245 miles · Dec 5, 2015
Power Train

FROM TAKEOFF, THE GEAR SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD IS "HARD"/FIRM/JERKY. ALMOST AS IF THERE IS A POWER HESITATION THEN SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR. THIS IS ONLY GEAR SHIFT POSITION WHERE A PROBLEM EXISTS. ONLY HAPPENS FROM DEAD STOP TAKEOFF.

NHTSA ODI #10808575

10,000 miles · Nov 26, 2015
Power Train

HARD SHIFTS ON 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD CAUSING WHIPLASH-LIKE REACTION. SHIFTS OCCURS AFTER WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE A PAUSE IN ACCELERATION THEN ENGINE REVS FOR 500 TO 1K RPM BEFORE SHIFTING, THEN THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD. ACURA HAS PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATES. IT REDUCED THE HARD SHIFTS BUT IT IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TO TIGHTEN MY…

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HARD SHIFTS ON 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD CAUSING WHIPLASH-LIKE REACTION. SHIFTS OCCURS AFTER WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE A PAUSE IN ACCELERATION THEN ENGINE REVS FOR 500 TO 1K RPM BEFORE SHIFTING, THEN THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD. ACURA HAS PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATES. IT REDUCED THE HARD SHIFTS BUT IT IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TO TIGHTEN MY NECK AND BRACE FOR A HARDSHIFT I KNOW IS COMING.

NHTSA ODI #10807108

400 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE 'HESITATES' OR 'STUMBLES'. USUALLY BETWEEN 10 - 30 MPH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE SUCH AS TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT, ENTERING AN EXPRESSWAY, OR PASSING. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION PAUSES 1 - 3 SECONDS BEFORE RPMS MOVE VEHICLE FORWARD. SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS IN OR NEEDS TO FU…

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VEHICLE 'HESITATES' OR 'STUMBLES'. USUALLY BETWEEN 10 - 30 MPH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE SUCH AS TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT, ENTERING AN EXPRESSWAY, OR PASSING. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION PAUSES 1 - 3 SECONDS BEFORE RPMS MOVE VEHICLE FORWARD. SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS IN OR NEEDS TO FULFILL THE DEMANDS OF THE DRIVER. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT MAY FAIL COMPLETELY PLACING ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS IN HARMS WAY. RELATED MAY BE THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE SPEED CAN VARY BY 10 - 15 MPH. DEALERSHIP AND ACURA CLAIMS VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. IF THIS IS TRUE THEN I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THERE ARE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ALONG WITH A CLASS ACTION SUITS. THIS FAILURE WAS EVIDENT DURING TEST DRIVES BUT I FELT IT WAS MY DRIVING TECHNIQUE. IN ALL I HAVE DRIVEN THREE OF THIS EXACT MODEL AND THEY ALL EXHIBIT THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10789712

3,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Power Train

HESITATION WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL NOT SAFE WHEN CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEEDING TO GAIN SPEED QUICKLY. HARD SHIFT FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK WHEN DRIVING NORMALLY ON CITY STREETS. UNSUSPECTING PASSENGERS MAY EXPERIENCE WHIP-LASH.

NHTSA ODI #10788823

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2015
Power Train

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TLX AWD TRANSMISSIONS. CAR DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY AND REPORTS OR SURGING OR GEARS NOT ENGAGING ARE BEING REPORTED. HTTP://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-FIXES-420/9AT-HARD-SHIFT-1-2-2-3-A-919230/

NHTSA ODI #10788754

60 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION ISSUES. CAR JERKS FROM 0 TO 20 MILES. HESITATES. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. STILL HAVING SAME ISSUE. DO NOT FEEL I HAVE CONTROL OF CAR WHEN I ACCELERATE. WILL BE BRINGING BACK TO DEALERSHIP. LEASED CAR SEPT 2014 STILL HAVE ISLAMD ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10788190

200 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Power Train

2015 ACURA TLX LEASED FROM DEALER WITH JUST 6 MILES. THE CAR EXHIBITED VERY JERKY SHIFTS AT LOW SPEED. THERE IS USUALLY, BUT NO 100% OF THE TIME, ONE ROUGH SHIFT/VEHICLE MOTION JUST IT HIT A BUMP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL, ANOTHER ONE AT AROUND 15 MPH, AND ONE MORE OF THE SAME JUST BELOW 40 MPH. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL JE…

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2015 ACURA TLX LEASED FROM DEALER WITH JUST 6 MILES. THE CAR EXHIBITED VERY JERKY SHIFTS AT LOW SPEED. THERE IS USUALLY, BUT NO 100% OF THE TIME, ONE ROUGH SHIFT/VEHICLE MOTION JUST IT HIT A BUMP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL, ANOTHER ONE AT AROUND 15 MPH, AND ONE MORE OF THE SAME JUST BELOW 40 MPH. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL JERK FORWARD JUST BEFORE IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR ALSO IS VERY DIFFICULTY, NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, TO BRING TO A SMOOTH STOP. ACURA DEALERSHIP HAD DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND DECIDED TO UPDATE ITS TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. THEY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING WAS PHYSICALLY DAMAGED. THE CAR ACTUALLY DROVE WORSE AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING. THE CAR WAS ROUGH AND JERKY AT SPEED BETWEEN 1 TO 40 MPH. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, THE CAR/TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HAVE "LEARNED" HOW TO BEHAVE AND NOW I AM JUST LEFT WITH THE ROUGH SHIFT, JERKING, AND SLIPPAGE LIKE ISSUES AS I HAD BEFORE THE SERVICE. I AM GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND TIME FOR THE STATED PROBLEM ON NOVEMBER 2. I AM HOPING THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE RESOLVED OR ACURA WOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEMS AND DECLARE THE VEHICLE/TRANSMISSION WAS MANUFACTURED WITH PROBLEMS THAT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. I WOULD LIKE ACURA TO EITHER PROVIDE ME WITH A TLX WITHOUT THE PROBLEMS, OR ANOTHER COMPARABLE ACURA VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE LEASED VEHICLE, OR BUY BACK THE LEASED ACURA TLX. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO HELP ADDRESS MY PARTICULAR ISSUES AS WELL AS HELP OTHER OWNERS BY MAKING ACURA ADDRESS THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR/MODEL OF THE TLX.

NHTSA ODI #10787027

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.