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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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220 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. I FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN COASTING DOWNHILL, BUT NOW OCCURS ON LEVEL HIGHWAY ALSO. ALSO THERE ARE PERIODS WHEN ONE TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE HAS …

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WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. I FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN COASTING DOWNHILL, BUT NOW OCCURS ON LEVEL HIGHWAY ALSO. ALSO THERE ARE PERIODS WHEN ONE TRIES TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE HAS REVVED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE GEAR DOES ENGAGE. ADDITIONALLY EVEN AFTER A RECALL, THE PARKING GEAR SLIPS ALLOWING THE CAR TO ROLL DOWN HILL. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE RESULTED IN NEAR ACCIDENTS. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10746950

600 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN COLD AND HITS A HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. ALL OTHER GEAR CHANGES ARE UNNOTICEABLE HOWEVER 2ND GOING TO 3RD ALWAYS SHIFTS HARD. READ ONLINE AND OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. DESPITE THE FACT THAT CERTAIN CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES, ALL TLXS SHO…

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TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN COLD AND HITS A HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. ALL OTHER GEAR CHANGES ARE UNNOTICEABLE HOWEVER 2ND GOING TO 3RD ALWAYS SHIFTS HARD. READ ONLINE AND OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. DESPITE THE FACT THAT CERTAIN CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES, ALL TLXS SHOULD BE CHECKED

NHTSA ODI #10744511

450 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Power Train

IT SEEMS LIKE MY BRAND NEW ACURA TLX IS HAVING ISSUES WITH ITS ZF 9-SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT HESITATES AND SHIFTS HARD GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. A LOT OF TLX OWNERS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS CURRENTLY A 9-PAGE THREAD ON ACURAZINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM THIS THREAD: HTTP://ACURAZINE.CO…

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IT SEEMS LIKE MY BRAND NEW ACURA TLX IS HAVING ISSUES WITH ITS ZF 9-SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT HESITATES AND SHIFTS HARD GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. A LOT OF TLX OWNERS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS CURRENTLY A 9-PAGE THREAD ON ACURAZINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM THIS THREAD: HTTP://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-FIXES-420/9AT-HARD-SHIFT-1-2-2-3-A-919230/ I TOOK THE TLX TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DONE A TCM RESET AND IDLE RELEARN. IT SEEMS THAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE SHIFTING WAS SMOOTHER AFTER THE RESET. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ISSUE THEN RECURRED. MY TLX STILL SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I'M A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. SOMETIMES, THIS HARD SHIFT OR HESITATION HAPPENS AS I AM TURNING LEFT FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I AM CONCERNED THAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TURN AS QUICKLY AS I NEED TO BE. IN FACT, THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED THIS MORNING. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE CAR THAT WAS GOING STRAIGHT SAW ME AND SLOWED DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10735910

1,500 miles · Jun 16, 2015
Power Train

9 SPEED ZF TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY FROM 1-2 AND 2-3 WITH 2-3 BEING THE WORSE. DEALER SERVICE STATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION DO TO TORQUE MATCHING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE BASED ON ALL THE OTHER ISSUES THIS TRANSMISSION IS HAVING IN OTHER MANUFACTURES VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10725590

550 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 550.

NHTSA ODI #10724421

529 miles · May 10, 2015
Power Train

TRANS SHIFTS ARE VERY JERKY UP OR DOWN. SOMETIMES DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT WHEN BRAKING. SCARES YOU WHEN YOU HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR THROW CAR INTO "N". PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC CAN BE SCARY AS THERE IS OFTEN A DELAY BETWEEN ACCELERATION AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANNY. THEN THE JERKY SHIFTING OCCURS. I AM NOT …

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TRANS SHIFTS ARE VERY JERKY UP OR DOWN. SOMETIMES DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT WHEN BRAKING. SCARES YOU WHEN YOU HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR THROW CAR INTO "N". PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC CAN BE SCARY AS THERE IS OFTEN A DELAY BETWEEN ACCELERATION AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANNY. THEN THE JERKY SHIFTING OCCURS. I AM NOT ALWAYS SURE IF MY CAR WILL PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC QUICKLY AND SAFELY WITHOUT ME BEING REAR ENDED. I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR. I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK FOR SERVICE. I HAVE WAITED THIS LONG BECAUSE THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME THE CAR NEEDS 5,000 MILES TO "BREAK IN" THE TRANNY. I HAVE NOTICED READING ON THE WEB THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODEL (8 SPEED DOUBLE CLUTCH AUTO WITH 4CYL. ENGINE.) IT SEEMS THAT AMERICAN HONDA HAS ISSUED A TSB #15-021 (DATED APRIL 23, 2015. THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM, BUT I KEEP READING THAT THIS FIX IS NOT WORKING AND THAT MANY DEALERS ARE TELLING THE CUSTOMER "IT'S THE WAY YOU DRIVE IT. WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY BAD COMPUTER CODES". AMERICAN HONDA IN CONCERT WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP NETWORK ARE COVERING UP A DEFECT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS IS GROWING INTO A MAJOR PROBLEM...I WILL BEGIN TO DOCUMENT ALL FUTURE DEALERSHIP PAPERWORK IN ANTICIPATION OF FILING A CLAIM UNDER MY STATES LEMON LAW. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ACURA AGAIN. MY FIRST WAS AN ACURA TSX AND IT WAS AN EXCELLENT CAR. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT HONDA HAS DONE DOWN THE TUBES. BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE FIRST ACURA MODEL BUILT IN THE USA VERSUS JAPAN. HAD I KNOWN THAT ,I NWVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10715555

50 miles · May 5, 2015
Power Train

CAR JERKS NOTICEABLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM TRANSMISSIONS GEARS 1 TO 2 AND THEN FROM GEARS 2 TO 3. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714657

1,000 miles · May 1, 2015
EnginePower Train

THE CAR HAS TIMES WHERE IT STALLS OR HESITATES SIGNIFICANTLY - THIS OCCURS WORST IN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE (THERE IS A SEVERAL SECOND DELAY AND THEN A SURGE FORWARD), AND THERE ARE HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3 GEARS. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHERE WHEN COASTING AND YOU APPLY THROTTLE, IT IS UNRESPONSIVE. THERE HAVE ALS…

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THE CAR HAS TIMES WHERE IT STALLS OR HESITATES SIGNIFICANTLY - THIS OCCURS WORST IN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE (THERE IS A SEVERAL SECOND DELAY AND THEN A SURGE FORWARD), AND THERE ARE HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3 GEARS. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHERE WHEN COASTING AND YOU APPLY THROTTLE, IT IS UNRESPONSIVE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS VERY HARD AND LURCHES FORWARD ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY (THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED IN SPORT+ MODE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714145

50 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Power Train

I LEASED AN ACURA TLX (4-CYLINDER) IN OCTOBER 2014. ALMOST SINCE THE BEGINNING, THE TRANSMISSION OF THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY JERKY AND STIFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL PRODUCES NO EFFECT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIF…

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I LEASED AN ACURA TLX (4-CYLINDER) IN OCTOBER 2014. ALMOST SINCE THE BEGINNING, THE TRANSMISSION OF THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY JERKY AND STIFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL PRODUCES NO EFFECT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, LEAVING THE CAR MOTIONLESS FOR SECONDS. THE HARD SHIFTING OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, AND IN THE LOWER GEARS. THE FEELING OF SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL OCCURS RANDOMLY WITH NO OBVIOUS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 200 MILES ON IT, AND THEY CLAIMED TO FIND NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE (THE CAR HAS ABOUT 5300 MILES ON IT NOW), BUT I WILL BE RETURNING IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712573

200 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Power Train

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2015 ACURA TLX (4 CYLINDER MODEL WITH 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WHICH I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND WOULD LIKE TO FILE THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT: 1.ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKY (ALMOST EVERY TIME). THIS MEANS THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, IT CREATES A SHUTTER …

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I OWN A 2015 ACURA TLX (4 CYLINDER MODEL WITH 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WHICH I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND WOULD LIKE TO FILE THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT: 1.ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKY (ALMOST EVERY TIME). THIS MEANS THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, IT CREATES A SHUTTER THAT REVERBERATES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. 2. AFTER DRIVING 1 MILE OR SO AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, ESPECIALLY DURING COLD START, THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES FORWARD VERY HARD ( LIKE SOMEONE REAR ENDED) DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT HAPPENS OFTEN TO DISLIKE (FOUR TIMES TOTAL). VERY SCARY WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MAY REAR END SOMEONE. 3. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, SAY COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NOT COMING TO COMPLETE STOP AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AT SAY ABOUT 10MPH SPEED OR SO, AND HIT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEED UP, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND DOESN'T KNOW WHICH GEAR TO ENGAGE THUS MAKING VERY JERKY FEEL. 4. EVERY TIME COLD START, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ARE VERY HARD. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL" FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO DO THAT. I FIND THIS VERY UNACCEPTABLE! THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND THEY NEED TO FIND A RESOLUTION BECAUSE THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND A THREAT TO MY OWN PERSONAL SAFETY. ACURA, TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS ISSUE, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712551

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.