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2015 Acura Tlx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tlx years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Acura Tlx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 65.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

231 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

23 reports
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30,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

CAR HAS AN AUTO IDLE REDUCTION INSTALLED TO SAVE ENERGY. HOWEVER, THE IDLE IS SET SO LOW THAT WHEN YOU TRY TO START OUT AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR STALLS CONTINUOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #11228442

30,000 miles · Apr 19, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR NEARLY STALLS, ROLLED BACK 3-4 FEET PRIOR TO RESTARTING AFTER THE IDLE STOP HAD IN- GAUGED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1-4 LIKE SOMEONE WHO NEVER DROVE WITH A CLUTCH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. IT HESITATES AND NEARLY STALLS WHEN DOING SLOW MANEUVERING IN AND AROUND PARKING LOTS AND SLOW TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEARLY HA…

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THE CAR NEARLY STALLS, ROLLED BACK 3-4 FEET PRIOR TO RESTARTING AFTER THE IDLE STOP HAD IN- GAUGED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1-4 LIKE SOMEONE WHO NEVER DROVE WITH A CLUTCH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. IT HESITATES AND NEARLY STALLS WHEN DOING SLOW MANEUVERING IN AND AROUND PARKING LOTS AND SLOW TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEARLY HAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE HESITATION IN TRAFFIC. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR WILL NOT MAINTAIN ITS SET SPEED ON A DOWNHILL GRADE, IT GETS JERKY AND INCREASES SPEED AS MUCH AS 10-12 MPH UNLESS I RIDE THE BRAKE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW, THE FIRST TIME THEY DID ALL THE UPDATES ON THE COMPUTER AND FUEL PUMP...ITS JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD HAVE A COMPLETE RECALL!!! THE NEXT QUESTIONS ASK FOR A SPECIFIC TIME AND DATE...THIS IS ONGOING AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY.

NHTSA ODI #11197366

23,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

NEW CAR PURCHASED IN 2015. CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 23K MILES. ERROR LIGHTS FLASH ON DASH INCLUDING "TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS, BLIND SPOT INFO SYSTEM PROBLEMS, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, ALL WHEEL STEERING PROBLEM, FORWARD COLLISION WARNING PROBLEM, LANE DEPARTURE WARING PROBLEM". THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENE…

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NEW CAR PURCHASED IN 2015. CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 23K MILES. ERROR LIGHTS FLASH ON DASH INCLUDING "TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS, BLIND SPOT INFO SYSTEM PROBLEMS, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, ALL WHEEL STEERING PROBLEM, FORWARD COLLISION WARNING PROBLEM, LANE DEPARTURE WARING PROBLEM". THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME, NO VIDEO EVIDENCE OF IT BUT WE DID TAKE IT IN TO ACURA TO LOOK. NO ISSUE FOUND. SECOND TIME WE HAD A VIDEO, THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPGRADE. NOW AGAIN. ALONG WITH THIS, CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED, STEERING RACK AND PINION, SUB FRAME, POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY, LIST GOES ON.

NHTSA ODI #10967211

1,000 miles · May 26, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE 2015 ACURA TLX WITH THE 9SP TRANSMISSION? THERE IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWING DOWN, UNANTICIPATED SURGING, AND UNEXPECTED HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHIN HONDA BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR PUBLIC FIX FROM HONDA. I INCLUDED THE PURCHASE DATE OF …

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CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE 2015 ACURA TLX WITH THE 9SP TRANSMISSION? THERE IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWING DOWN, UNANTICIPATED SURGING, AND UNEXPECTED HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHIN HONDA BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR PUBLIC FIX FROM HONDA. I INCLUDED THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE CAR BUT THE ABOVE HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES. HTTP://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/5G-TLX-PROBLEMS-FIXES-420/9AT-HARD-SHIFT-1-2-2-3-A-919230

NHTSA ODI #10870927

5,000 miles · Dec 27, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

YES, YOU GUYS ARE ON POINT! I HAD MY 2015 TLX V4 ADVANCED PACK. AND EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT I READ ON HERE I HAVE! THIS IS VERY NERVE WRECKING! I TOOK IN MY ACURA TWO WEEKS AGO TO SHERMAN OAKS CENTER ACURA, WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VAHICLE AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING; E.I. JERKS, SUDDEN REVS, DELAYED …

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YES, YOU GUYS ARE ON POINT! I HAD MY 2015 TLX V4 ADVANCED PACK. AND EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT I READ ON HERE I HAVE! THIS IS VERY NERVE WRECKING! I TOOK IN MY ACURA TWO WEEKS AGO TO SHERMAN OAKS CENTER ACURA, WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VAHICLE AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING; E.I. JERKS, SUDDEN REVS, DELAYED UPSHIFT/DOWNSHIFT. THE REPAIR CENTER PERSONNEL ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE JUST NEEDED A "SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE" AND THAT NOT TO BE ALARMED BECAUSE ACURA WILL HAVE FUTURE UPDATES. SO WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING MY GIRLFRIEND'S 10 YEAR OLD COROLLA. THE CAR IS A F*** PIECE OF S*** I TELL YOU! IT LAGS MORE AND HE VIBRATES TOO MUCH! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!

NHTSA ODI #10816378

1,500 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL JERKING BETWEEN GEARS, ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING, AND ABNORMAL SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SHIFT POINT SOF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL JERKING BETWEEN GEARS, ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING, AND ABNORMAL SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SHIFT POINT SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT AFTER 500 MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA ODI #10762279

200 miles · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, JERKING, AND ABNORMAL NOISES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND TORQUE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, JERKING, AND ABNORMAL NOISES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #10749951

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

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

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

NHTSA ODI #10746950

200 miles · Apr 10, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING TO SPEEDS BETWEEN 3-5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA TLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING TO SPEEDS BETWEEN 3-5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #10704864

1,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I LEASED MY ACURA TLX V6 ADVANCED 2 WHEEL DRIVE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2014. RIGHT AWAY, WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK I STARTED NOTICING PERFORMANCE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IT IS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN "SPORT" MODE. IT HAPPENS MORE …

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I LEASED MY ACURA TLX V6 ADVANCED 2 WHEEL DRIVE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2014. RIGHT AWAY, WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK I STARTED NOTICING PERFORMANCE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IT IS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN "SPORT" MODE. IT HAPPENS MORE CONSISTENTLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHICH COINCIDES WITH A SITUATION THAT ALLOWS FOR LESS REACTION TIME. IT ALSO HAS SERIOUS ACCELERATION HESITATION THROUGHOUT ALL SPEEDS. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE SITUATIONS WHERE WHILE MERGING IN TRAFFIC OR ACCELERATING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. MY CAR HAS BEEN INTO ACURA TWICE SO FAR FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A "KNOWN" ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO FIX. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SAFETY RECALL ACURA "CHANGED OUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID" WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP - AND IT DIDN'T. I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME ISSUES. ACURA CLIENT CARE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THAT ACURA CORPORATE DOES NOT HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS AND IT MUST BE TAKEN UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP JUST ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AND SAYS TO TAKE IT UP WITH ACURA CORPORATE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. ACURA OBVIOUSLY ROLLED THIS CAR OUT OF THE FACTORY KNOWING THEY HAD ISSUES (HENCE THEIR LAUNCH DELAY IN THE FIRST PLACE) BUT WERE WILLING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CONSUMER AND HAD NO CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS' SAFETY. BUYER BEWARE - DO NOT PURCHASE A TLX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695446

Official recalls

6

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V751000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

Nov 13, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

19V060000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 29, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

16V640000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 6, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX 2WD and 4WD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Acura has notified owners, and dealers will, based on the automatic transmission serial number, update the transmission software to prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral due to a faulty crimp, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC2.

14V779000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Dec 8, 2014

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX V6 2WD vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to November 12, 2014, and certain 2015 TLX V6 SH-AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to November 10, 2014. The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This may prevent the transmission from shifting into the Park position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JM8.

14V613000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 1, 2014

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to September 20, 2014. The affected vehicles may have incorrect values for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear printed on the safety certification label. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 21, 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK6.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA25004 · No Restart After Auto Start/stop Engages

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/camshaft Position Sensor; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/camshaft Position Sensor

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.