← New search

2018 Acura Tlx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Acura Tlx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 67 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 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

31 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2024
Engine

Vehicle starting making ticking noise, I called Dave White Acura. It very quickly turned into a very loud knocking noise. I called back and they told me to have it towed in which I did. I also took a video of the car knocking. Dave white Acura called me first thing the next day and said, we started your car and it is knocking so…

Read full complaint

Vehicle starting making ticking noise, I called Dave White Acura. It very quickly turned into a very loud knocking noise. I called back and they told me to have it towed in which I did. I also took a video of the car knocking. Dave white Acura called me first thing the next day and said, we started your car and it is knocking so loud we immediately shut it off. But no updates were made to my service papers other than my initial phone call. I was advised by Dave White Acura I needed a new engine. I of course asked why, their response was, it’ll be cheaper for you to just put in a new (rebuilt) engine in than for us to tear it apart to find out exactly what it is but you definitely need a new engine. Again, Dave White failed to provide the necessary updates through the process and now Honda is refusing my reimbursement. I paid over $8016 to have a rebuilt engine but into my 2018 TLX.

NHTSA ODI #11584510

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2024
Engine

There was a rattling noise in the engine. The acura dealership service center diagnosed it as a connecting rod bearing failure. In the next few miles of driving, the vehicle stopped running and wouldn’t start. Acura service center later diagnosed this as a motor seizure. This problem is similar to NHTSA ID Number: 11545720 and h…

Read full complaint

There was a rattling noise in the engine. The acura dealership service center diagnosed it as a connecting rod bearing failure. In the next few miles of driving, the vehicle stopped running and wouldn’t start. Acura service center later diagnosed this as a motor seizure. This problem is similar to NHTSA ID Number: 11545720 and honda recalls XG1 and GG0

NHTSA ODI #11582740

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2024
Engine

My name is [XXX] On [XXX] while driving to lunch from work. I heard a faint knocking noise from my car. Came back to work and schedule an appointment with my mechanic dealer in Atlanta and there i notice a recall regarding the rod bearing. On the way back to where I was staying in Savannah Ga, the noise gotten a little louder …

Read full complaint

My name is [XXX] On [XXX] while driving to lunch from work. I heard a faint knocking noise from my car. Came back to work and schedule an appointment with my mechanic dealer in Atlanta and there i notice a recall regarding the rod bearing. On the way back to where I was staying in Savannah Ga, the noise gotten a little louder when i pulled up in the driveway. I didn’t want to drive it so i call a local Acura dealership in Savannah. The tow truck that came to pick up the car ask if the car was drive-able to load on truck. When i crank it…he said that the rod. From the car was towed to Southern Motors Acura in Savannah. My dealership mechanic is Nalley Acura in Atlanta Ga. Since Nov 30th, i been in a rental out of pocket since Feb 25, 2024. Each time i speak with American Honda they tell me the parts are not available as of yet. This has been an expensive and frustrating process dealing with them and nothing seems to be heading in the positive direction. At this point i want a new engine. Reason being, the car has been sitting idle for months and the existing parts that’s not being in operation may no longer be of good use with any new parts. I work in Manufacturing as a manufacturing engineer. This happens in Aerospace all the time. Trying to install new part along with existing parts that haven’t been in use, may have corrosion, will eventually go bad due to shelf life and seasonal weather changes. Please assist me in this matter. My number is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11577220

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2024
Engine

Acura has a safety recall on my vehicle for the rod bearing causing engine to seize and my engine seized I purchased the car in 2022. I was not aware that the engine was replaced in the vehicle before. The engine serial number does not match the vin but Acura is saying they won't replace it because the engine serial number does…

Read full complaint

Acura has a safety recall on my vehicle for the rod bearing causing engine to seize and my engine seized I purchased the car in 2022. I was not aware that the engine was replaced in the vehicle before. The engine serial number does not match the vin but Acura is saying they won't replace it because the engine serial number doesn't match the and want me to pay 8k-10k to have it replaced. Being as though this is a known problem with this engine for years it's possible the previous owner could've replaced the engine for the very exact same reason there's a national recall for it now.

NHTSA ODI #11577038

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2024
Engine

My car broke down on me in August of 2023 with a rod that connects to the engine being the issue. Now here we are 7 months later and I still am paying for a car that does not run. They won't inspect it to figure out if it's covered under the recall because there is no remedy for the recall. At this point, I have had to buy other…

Read full complaint

My car broke down on me in August of 2023 with a rod that connects to the engine being the issue. Now here we are 7 months later and I still am paying for a car that does not run. They won't inspect it to figure out if it's covered under the recall because there is no remedy for the recall. At this point, I have had to buy other cars while still paying on this one with no timeline of when to expect a fix.

NHTSA ODI #11570565

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
EnginePower Train

there has been a recall out for my vehicle since november 9th or so and i took my car in around the 19th of november because my car started making a loud knocking noise and i initially knew that it was from the recall and so i took it in on the 20th to have it inspected and so when i took it to get inspected and diagnosed to see…

Read full complaint

there has been a recall out for my vehicle since november 9th or so and i took my car in around the 19th of november because my car started making a loud knocking noise and i initially knew that it was from the recall and so i took it in on the 20th to have it inspected and so when i took it to get inspected and diagnosed to see what was going on.. acura carland told me it from my rod bearing but there was no fix available at the time and so the noise was terrible and i asked if it’s ok to drive on and the service manager hector hernandez told me it was fine just keep up with the old change and see what happens in january which i didn’t agree with and so a month goes by and im heading home from work my car keep making the knocking noise and it getting worse than ever and my vehicle is stalling on the road and i was just praying that it doesn’t blow on me or catch fire and so as soon as i am turning off the exit to pull over and get home my engine completely seized and left my car in neutral and start rolling with no engine response. my engine completely blew and wouldn’t crank and it finally stopped rolling. i had gotten it towed home and reached out to the manufacturer and dealer to see what happens now and so i was told to have it towed to the dealer to get a engine diagnosis done so my case could get started and once i got that done. i was referred that my engine needs to be replaced due to the rod bearing creating metal shavings to enter my engine and damaging it. once i sent over the documentation and photos to the manufacturer i was still told there’s nothing to be done till january forcing me to be without a vehicle for 2 1/2 months with no loaner or anything. i been fighting for a resolution and nobody has done anything but point fingers at the dealer and manufacturer when i just needed a resolution for the time being to get me through till there is a permanent solution and has me left stressed and forced to rely on public transportation in various condition

NHTSA ODI #11564526

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Car is red tagged on national recall site and Acura link having engine and fuel problems car shuts off I really need my car fixed asap

NHTSA ODI #11563014

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemLane Departure

Start up in the morning started to drive and the engine started to make a knocking noise

NHTSA ODI #11562897

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2023
EnginePower TrainStructure

i took my car to acura carland in duluth georgia and i went initially for a check up on my recall i was notified for regarding my rod bearing and was told that there’s nothing they can do about it and offered to do a wheel alignment on my vehicle and that should help with the knocking noise i had coming from my engine and that i…

Read full complaint

i took my car to acura carland in duluth georgia and i went initially for a check up on my recall i was notified for regarding my rod bearing and was told that there’s nothing they can do about it and offered to do a wheel alignment on my vehicle and that should help with the knocking noise i had coming from my engine and that i would have to wait till january for anything else regarding my recall. i asked what could i do until then and i was told to keep up with my oil change and that its until january. i even asked for a loaner and was denied stating that they don’t offer that which was hard to believe. a month after my recall on december 7th at 9:03 est pm my vehicle made more knocking noise way worse than before i had took it to acura carland and i was traveling home from work and suddenly my car start losing power and my check engine was flashing and car was stalling a bunch which eventually lead to my entire engine giving out and i was left stranded in the middle of the night with my car not operating nor cranking. i reached out to the manufacturer again and she provided me a case number but i really wish something could be done sooner but now my car is completely broken and won’t crank anymore due to my engine being worn down by this recall which could of been avoided by proper customer care and no i don’t have a car anymore with no help from no one. please help

NHTSA ODI #11559063

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I've had multiple failures on this vehicle. First, the engine had a rod knock and Acura gave me a very hard time approving the repair and eventually replacement of the engine. Second, the ADAS system is not working and is a huge safety concern. I keep getting error messages that my road mitigation and lane keeping assist systems…

Read full complaint

I've had multiple failures on this vehicle. First, the engine had a rod knock and Acura gave me a very hard time approving the repair and eventually replacement of the engine. Second, the ADAS system is not working and is a huge safety concern. I keep getting error messages that my road mitigation and lane keeping assist systems do not work. Third, the ABS module system cannot communicate with my ECU and is not working properly. Another safety concern as this controls a lot of the wheel speed sensors, brakes, etc on this vehicle. A quick Google search for acura tlx ABS module repair will bring up pages and pages of people complaining about this very same problem yet Acura is not doing anything about it. This problem also affected other models such as the TSX, TL, RL, and the Oddysey. I've taken my vehicle to several mechanics and they all state that this is a very common problem in Honda/Acura. I'm not sure how Honda/Acura can risk the lives of their customers in this way but it is not safe as this vehicle is my daily commuter that I use for my family.

NHTSA ODI #11558080

Official recalls

4

26V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

May 21, 2026

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

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

3

PE25008 · Engine Failure

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.

RQ24013 · Engine Failure

Opened Nov 8, 2024 · Closed Aug 20, 2025

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.