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2017 Acura Tlx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Acura Tlx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 42 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.

  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion System

My 2017 Acura TLX stalled dangerously on the highway due to an unexpected fuel delivery failure, creating an immediate traffic hazard. Hiley Acura of Fort Worth diagnosed the vehicle with code P0087 (Low Fuel Rail Pressure) and confirmed it needs a new low-pressure fuel pump assembly for $1,540.62. They also pulled code P0430 (C…

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My 2017 Acura TLX stalled dangerously on the highway due to an unexpected fuel delivery failure, creating an immediate traffic hazard. Hiley Acura of Fort Worth diagnosed the vehicle with code P0087 (Low Fuel Rail Pressure) and confirmed it needs a new low-pressure fuel pump assembly for $1,540.62. They also pulled code P0430 (Catalyst System Efficiency) showing my front catalytic converter has failed, costing $2,461.77.The low-pressure fuel pump failure starved the engine of fuel, causing the highway stall. This fueling issue directly overheated and destroyed the catalytic converter substrate.This pump failure is the core subject of the Oliver v. Honda class action lawsuit. Honda previously issued a temporary corporate software update on my vehicle that deliberately altered how the computer reads errors, masking the physical fuel pump defect. This software update is the exact reason my car currently shows no open recalls on standard databases, despite still containing the defective, unreplaced factory hardware. This temporary software fix has now failed, resulting in a dangerous highway stall, and Honda is using the software-cleared VIN status to deny safety coverage.

NHTSA ODI #11750596

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I have this car 2017 acura tlx v6 shawd from acura dealership 3months already. I hear little knocking sound from my bottom block.

NHTSA ODI #11745329

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2026
Fuel/propulsion System

I was refueling my vehicle at Fullerton Costco, the internal metal flap of the capless fuel filler neck is stuck closed and preventing me from inserting a gas nozzle to refuel the vehicle. I could not refuel my gas tank. Luckily, my vehicle still has some fuel left, enough for me to get to the nearest Acura dealer (Cerritos Acur…

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I was refueling my vehicle at Fullerton Costco, the internal metal flap of the capless fuel filler neck is stuck closed and preventing me from inserting a gas nozzle to refuel the vehicle. I could not refuel my gas tank. Luckily, my vehicle still has some fuel left, enough for me to get to the nearest Acura dealer (Cerritos Acura) to have them fix it. It was expensive though for an issue that should not happen at all. Also, a vehicle cannot be refueled or has a failed fuel neck flap, it can become a safety hazard and this is the main reason I file this complaint against Acura.

NHTSA ODI #11730392

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

My daughter was driving her car to work. Well in the middle of rush hour traffic the car put itself in neutral and then would not move and all of the lights were displayed on the dashboard as if the car was turned off. The car would not go into gear to move forward. She put the car in park and then shut the engine off. The engin…

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My daughter was driving her car to work. Well in the middle of rush hour traffic the car put itself in neutral and then would not move and all of the lights were displayed on the dashboard as if the car was turned off. The car would not go into gear to move forward. She put the car in park and then shut the engine off. The engine shuttered and the car shook while it turned off. He then tried to start it and then started again and it started up okay and was able to put the car in drive and move forward. I spoke to my mechanic and he said that there is a recall on this car for fuel pump issues. I checked the VIN and it said that there was no open recall. However I wanted to report this incident to document it for this particular car because it could have a fuel pump issue.

NHTSA ODI #11626762

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

On September 30, 2024 I received a notice from Acura titled “Important Safety Notice” (Recall Number 23V-751). The recall concerns a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft. On October 1, 2024 I contacted Nalley Acura of Marietta, Georgia about scheduling an appointment and was told that the first available appointment w…

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On September 30, 2024 I received a notice from Acura titled “Important Safety Notice” (Recall Number 23V-751). The recall concerns a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft. On October 1, 2024 I contacted Nalley Acura of Marietta, Georgia about scheduling an appointment and was told that the first available appointment was not until July 24, 2025 (almost ten months later). I was also told that the recall is not a safety concern and that I can continue to drive my car. I find it incredulous that Acura can issue a “safety recall” and then claim that the first opportunity to perform the repair is ten months later. Being forced to wait ten months to repair a manufacturing defect is outrageous and dangerous. Is this a subterfuge by the Company to avoid performing the repairs? In addition, I am confused by the dealerships response that this is not a safety concern. The recall notice states “due to a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft, the connecting rod bearing can prematurely wear and seize, causing engine damage. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury”. Is the recall notice incorrect - that the matter under recall is not a safety concern? Additionally, I received a call from Honda Customer Service on Friday, October 4, 2024. Among other things, I was told that as part of the recall, I may be charged for a "diagnostic test" if the dealership looks at my car and finds a repair is not needed. Waiting ten months for a safety recall is unacceptable and I hope the NHTSA investigates this further and forces Acura to explain how it can take so long to perform the service caused by its manufacturing defect. Also, to incur a charge as part of the recall process is unacceptable and will only discourage consumers from taking their car to a dealer.

NHTSA ODI #11618493

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Car experiences intermittent electrical system failure. Upon failure, drivers will experiance random and rapid clicking, clanking, and electrical systems discharging like lights, screens, and alarm. After restarting the car, users will find, all warning lights displayed with a few blinking: transmission, parking brake, traction …

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Car experiences intermittent electrical system failure. Upon failure, drivers will experiance random and rapid clicking, clanking, and electrical systems discharging like lights, screens, and alarm. After restarting the car, users will find, all warning lights displayed with a few blinking: transmission, parking brake, traction control, a few more. Headlights will randomly turn on, as well as the alarm, intermittently. All ADAS offline. Experienced sudden system failure causing all ADAS to fail while stationary/parked or moving/(actively driving on highway). Does actively affect driving ability more specifically: disrupts steering ability, causes random malfunctions with electrical components, cannot exceed 40 mph, car will not shift above 3rd gear, engine does seem much louder. After a thorough investigation/diagnosis with the dealership I concluded the main fault is due to the "Smart Power Control Unit" located behind the glovebox compartment of the vehicle. More specifically, one of the chips on the circuit board is not fully coated with sealant from the factory, leading to a potential for some kind of mold, dust, or organic growth to form and short one of the ground pins on the end of the chip. Driver States: This is a control unit failure, I believe a small short on a single ground pin with the positively charged chip housing was causing a short within the control unit circuit board where the chip was not fully covered with non-conductive coating/sealant. This caused a handful of issues, like electrical systems prematurely wearing due to rapid discharge of electronics. Impairs drivers ability and ability in turning, braking, and accelerating. Also car will roll backwards if driver is not careful. BIGGEST CONCERNS: FIRE, partial loss of control while driving, and premature wear on electrical components. A extra note: Disconnecting battery does temporarily fix issue but rarely, most time it will start discharging electrical systems immediately or in the day.

NHTSA ODI #11605241

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

My car’s lights were on. I went to Acura to get a diagnostic and they said to replace the fuel pump. I replaced it, and the lights came back on. I got another diagnostic and I was told the fuel pump has a leak. I have an 2017 Acura TLX that was not apart of the recent recall which I believe it should have been because my car is …

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My car’s lights were on. I went to Acura to get a diagnostic and they said to replace the fuel pump. I replaced it, and the lights came back on. I got another diagnostic and I was told the fuel pump has a leak. I have an 2017 Acura TLX that was not apart of the recent recall which I believe it should have been because my car is slow to steer which may cause an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11575772

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

Acura TLX TECH showing "Check Engine", "Break" and Warning sign on the dashboard. Vehicle was taken to Acura Dealer at East Brunswick on 08/29/2022. They inspected the car and advised that the issue with "Pipe Kit, Fuel Filler Part #06160-TZ3-A11". The part was ordered by the dealer up on my request with a comment that part is b…

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Acura TLX TECH showing "Check Engine", "Break" and Warning sign on the dashboard. Vehicle was taken to Acura Dealer at East Brunswick on 08/29/2022. They inspected the car and advised that the issue with "Pipe Kit, Fuel Filler Part #06160-TZ3-A11". The part was ordered by the dealer up on my request with a comment that part is back ordered and no firm expected time per Acura corporate and advised that I shall look for part from other dealers as well. I was advised that vehicle is drivable. As a fallback I ordered part from OEM Acura Parts on 08/30/2022 and got the same message from them as well that its back ordered. Upon several follow ups and calls still part is unavailable and car is not fixed. Dealer advised in April 2023 that I shall call Acura corporate to determine the expected arrival and I open a case with Acura Corporate with Case ID: 13772219 and had follow up call with customer services on 04/21/2023 and 4/28/2023. Finally got a call back from Case Manager Chris on 05/01/2023 and he said "No definitive ETA, Part not available. What best he can do is to send period update via email and call when part is available." I am in the state of New Jersey and vehicle inspections are mandatory, My car inspection is due soon and in case car is not fixed, then there is no way vehicle will pass inspection and I will be forced NOT to drive the car.

NHTSA ODI #11524975

22,019 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I BOUGHT MY ACURA ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO BUT SAW THEY HAD SOME RECALLS ON OVER 400K OF THESE VEHICLES WITH FUEL ISSUES! IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE FOR ME LATER WITH THIS VEHICLE? RIGHT NOW MY VEHICLE IS FINE THOUGH, JUST WANTED IT TO BE KNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11355504

6,500 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS STARTED LEAKING FROM MY FUEL PUMP WHILE I WAS PUMPING AND I ONLY PUMPED ABOUT 8 DOLLARS AND A CUSTOMER SAID FOR ME TO STOP PUMPING AND GET HOME AND PARK MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP. THE OTHER ISSUE IS IT JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND WHILE DRIVING IT JUST GO INTO HESITATE MODE AND STOP MODE AR TIMES WHILE ON THE INTERS…

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GAS STARTED LEAKING FROM MY FUEL PUMP WHILE I WAS PUMPING AND I ONLY PUMPED ABOUT 8 DOLLARS AND A CUSTOMER SAID FOR ME TO STOP PUMPING AND GET HOME AND PARK MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP. THE OTHER ISSUE IS IT JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND WHILE DRIVING IT JUST GO INTO HESITATE MODE AND STOP MODE AR TIMES WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AN DRIVING ON THE STREETS CAUSING ME TO BE IN A BAD ACCIDENT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. BETWEEN JULY THROUGH NOW, STILL DOES IT OFF AND ON.

NHTSA ODI #11193397

Official recalls

3

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.

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.