IllustrationMy check airbag light came on. Also, when I'm driving, my car stalls in the middle of the road and is unable to move, and it keeps doing that. And it does not have a check engine light, but it keeps stalling.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tlx years →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
1330–25K
3025–50K
4050–75K
1975–100K
6100–150K
3150K+
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
Air Bags complaints
9 reportsOn a number of occasions, a warning light came on stating "Passenger Airbag Off". Each time there was someone (usually my adult wife or daughter weighing 112lbs to $125lbs respectively) sitting in front seat in a correct position. The issue was first noticed about 2+ years ago. I had mentioned this to our dealership during an…
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On a number of occasions, a warning light came on stating "Passenger Airbag Off". Each time there was someone (usually my adult wife or daughter weighing 112lbs to $125lbs respectively) sitting in front seat in a correct position. The issue was first noticed about 2+ years ago. I had mentioned this to our dealership during an inspection but there was no firm explanation to the cause, or if it was really serious or not. They seem to indicate it was just a sensor glitch and that if there was a crash the system would work properly. I am not sure if they tested the car with a person in the front seat, and if they did, they may not have reproduced the issue because it doesn't happen with every drive. It happens sporadically. This issue happened again last week on a major interstate highway in the middle of a long drive with my wife in front seat. Again, the warning light came on "Passenger Airbag Off." About 15 or 20 minutes later it went off during the drive. Fortunately, there were no crashes, and therefore no injuries with any of these occurrences. Today I received a NHTSA safety recall notice from Audi of America on my 2nd car, which is a 2016 Audi A3, prompting me to make this report. The Safety Recall is 69BY - Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS). (NHTSA: 21V198). This Audi safety notice describes "perfectly" what is happening with my 2015 Acura TLX. As in this report, the issue is sporadic, but happens fairly frequently when someone is in the front seat. Perhaps the Acura PODS is produced from the same company as the one in this Audi safety recall? In any case, I am fearful of having anyone in my front seat now. Since there is not a formal recall for my Acura, what recourse do I have so I can use my vehicle as intended? Thank you
CAR WON'T CRANK AND WON'T START. ENDED UP STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS WHILE OUT SHOPPING. EACH TIME STRANDED, THE CAR WOULD START AFTER BEING JUMPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE EACH TIME. AFTER THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF BEING STRANDED AND JUMPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE…
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CAR WON'T CRANK AND WON'T START. ENDED UP STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS WHILE OUT SHOPPING. EACH TIME STRANDED, THE CAR WOULD START AFTER BEING JUMPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE EACH TIME. AFTER THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF BEING STRANDED AND JUMPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY CAR BATTERY WAS TESTING "VERY GOOD" AND THEY SAID MY BATTERY WOULD RECHARGE ITSELF AND THAT THE DRAINAGE COULD BE DUE TO THE HOT TEXAS WEATHER. NOT SO MUCH THE CASE AS I ENDED UP STRANDED TWO DAYS AFTER THAT, ONCE AGAIN. THEN, A WEEK OR SO LATER, ON ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF BEING STRANDED AND JUMPED STARTED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, I DROVE TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM TEST MY BATTERY TO FIND THAT IT THEN TOO TESTED "VERY GOOD." AUTOZONE SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE A PORTABLE CAR CHARGER, SO I DID. CAME TO FIND OUT THAT UPON BEING STRANDED THE FOURTH TIME, THE PORTABLE CHARGER WAS UNABLE TO GET ME JUMPED/STARTED. SO, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TRIED USING "THEIR" PORTABLE CAR CHARGER BUT FAILED TO WORK. SO THE REP PULLED OUT HIS JUMPER CABLES AND WAS ABLE TO JUMP MY CAR AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. AT THAT POINT, I WENT BACK TO AUTOZONE AND DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR BATTERY EVEN THOUGH MY EXISTING BATTERY TESTED "VERY GOOD" ONCE AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BATTERY REPLACEMENT, MY SRS AIRBAG LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE THEN. IT'S BEEN 3 WEEKS SINCE I'VE HAD THE NEW BATTER INSTALLED AND I'M NOW STRANDED AGAIN. I'VE SEEN WAY TOOO MANY POSTS WITH OTHER FOLKS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!!!!
IN AN IMPACT WITH A PARKED CAR THAT TOTALED THE TLX , THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHICH LED TO INJURY TO THE DRIVERS CHEST AND THE HIP OF THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOW THAT THE FRONT IN IS CRUSHED WHILE THE INSIDE PICTURES SHOW THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AFTER THE IMPACT THE CAR COULD …
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IN AN IMPACT WITH A PARKED CAR THAT TOTALED THE TLX , THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHICH LED TO INJURY TO THE DRIVERS CHEST AND THE HIP OF THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOW THAT THE FRONT IN IS CRUSHED WHILE THE INSIDE PICTURES SHOW THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AFTER THE IMPACT THE CAR COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. PER DRIVER, SHE TRIED TO BREAK, BUT CAR DID NOT STOP. SHE TRIED TO TURN POWER OFF AT IGNITION BUT THAT DID NOT STOP. PUT CAR IN PARK BUT IT CONTINUED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL THE CAR IMPACTED A RETAINING WALL DAMAGING THE BACKEND OF THE CAR. STILL, ACURA SAFETY SYSTEM NEVER DEPLOYS AIRBAGS. ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER, AFTER THE COLLISION ALL SYSTEMS FAILED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE OR STOP THE CAR WITH GEARS OR TURNING POWER OFF. WE HAVE MORE PICTURES. IT SEEMS I WAS ONLY ABLE TO LOAD 1. *TR CONSUMER HAS REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
MY AIRBAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND IN THE DASH BOARD IT SAYS AIRBAG SYSTEM SRS PROBLEM
AIRBAG AND SEATBELTS WARNING SIGN IS ON. STATES IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENED TO A FEW OTHERS AS THERE ARE FORUMS ONLINE ABOUT THIS
TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 2015 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE LOANER VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK, LOWER BACK, AND HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE LOANER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 2015 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE LOANER VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK, LOWER BACK, AND HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE LOANER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOANER VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (MILE HIGH ACURA, 2799 S HAVANA ST, DENVER, CO 80014) AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH ANOTHER LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE LOANER VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM ACURA AUTOMOBILE DIVISION DATED MARCH 2016. I WAS ON VACATION WHEN THE LETTER WAS MAILED. UPON RETURING HOME AND READING THIS RECALL NOTICE I CALLED ACURA CLIENTS RELATIONS ON MARCH 24, 2016. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER SERVICE MANGER WHERE I PURCHASE MY CAR. I WENT TO …
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TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM ACURA AUTOMOBILE DIVISION DATED MARCH 2016. I WAS ON VACATION WHEN THE LETTER WAS MAILED. UPON RETURING HOME AND READING THIS RECALL NOTICE I CALLED ACURA CLIENTS RELATIONS ON MARCH 24, 2016. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER SERVICE MANGER WHERE I PURCHASE MY CAR. I WENT TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 30, 2016. I HAD TO SIGN ACURA TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE RETENTION/STORAGE OWNER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT. I WAS GIVEN A PURCHASE TO TAKE TO ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL FOR A RENTAL CARD. I WAS GIVEN A FORD FOCUS UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 2016 WHILE MY BRAND NEW ACURA IS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY SINCE MARCH 2016 WHILE I AM MAKING A $398 MONTHLY CAR PAYMENT ON A BRAND NEW ACURA ILX THAT I CANNOT DRIVE UNTIL MID OR LATE SUMMER OF 2016. I THINK MY CAR PAYMENTS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FROM THE DATE OF THE RECALL NOTICE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS AND MY CAR IS REPAIRED AND SAFETY TO DRIVE AGAIN. IF I WANT TO DRIVE A FORD FOCUS IN THE FIRST PLACE. AT LEAST ACURA COULD HAVE PROVIDED A CAR IN THE SAME CLASS AS MY ACURA ILX 2015. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN A HONDA OR ACURA VEHICLE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVEN 30 YEARS. I AM VERY UNHAPPY THAT I HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY CAR PAYMENT ON A CAR THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE. UNHAPPY ACURA CUSTOMER MEM
AFTER A MINOR FENDER BENDER, THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED AND BLOCKED FOUR (4) LANES OF TRAFFIC FOR ALMOST FOUR (4) HOURS. THE DRIVER-SIDE KNEE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND SEVERAL SENSORS/RELAYS BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE CAR REPORTED A BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE THAT RENDERED THE CAR IMMOBILE. THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE S…
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AFTER A MINOR FENDER BENDER, THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY DISABLED AND BLOCKED FOUR (4) LANES OF TRAFFIC FOR ALMOST FOUR (4) HOURS. THE DRIVER-SIDE KNEE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND SEVERAL SENSORS/RELAYS BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE CAR REPORTED A BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE THAT RENDERED THE CAR IMMOBILE. THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO A FLATBED TOW TRUCK. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACURALINK SERVICE DID NOT CONTACT ME UNTIL 90+ MINUTES LATER AND THE ASSIST/SOS BUTTON FELL OFF OF THE CAR BEFORE I COULD ENGAGE IT. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SIDESWIPED. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECAME IMMOBILIZED WITH THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED ON ALL FOUR (4) TIRES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A FOUR (4) LANE CITY STREET. MY CAR CAME TO REST IN A PARALLEL POSITION BLOCKING ALL FOUR (4) LANES.
Official recalls
623V858000 · 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
2EA25004 · 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.