4.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,859 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Acura TLX drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Acura TLX Owner Comments

problem #13

Mar 072024

TLX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Internal transmission error at 60,000 miles. All warning lights illuminated, no sign of transmission failure, but having to replace the entire transmission due to factory defect out of my own pocket.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #12

Feb 032022

TLX

  • miles
My Catalac converter needs to be replace I took it in backin March because dash lights were on. It was covered under warranty barley made it the first time I took it into Acura they failed to look if it was covered for me. After a month of stress and research it was so I took it back to Acura with the paperwork and spoke to the manager who checked it 2 times and said it wasn-??t I handed him the paperwork n he was able to find it he ordered the part and said he-??d give me my diagnosis fee back when the part comes in. I-??ve been waiting 6 months for it now. Well now my engine block needs to be replaced wich is a bigger issue. And im barely over 80,000 miles the tech said everything looked up to date on car, there-??s no reasonable explanation on Why this happen. And again the part I need is also on back order. Im carless and just over warranty timeframes I-??ve only had the car about a year wth a car payment still. This is very frustrating

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #11

May 142022

TLX

  • miles
I shifted to sports mode plus while at a stop light on the Bay Bridge. After light turned green, I accelerated and my car stalled and wouldn't go past 20mph on the Bay Bridge which is dangerous, everyone was going about 60-75 mph. All of my hazard lights were on- my brake light, VSA light, Check Engine Etc. I went to the mechanic and he could not find anything wrong with my battery, transmission or accelerator. It seems like there is a glitch electronically but nothing has been done about. Several folks with 2016 TLX have reported this same issue. Its very dangerous and worrisome. Prior to this issue I had no messages/lights on that warned me of my vehicle needing service.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #10

Jun 052020

TLX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving down interstate 70 at approximately 75 miles an hour. My cruise control was set and I was going up a small hill and out of nowhere my car decelerates down to about 50-60 miles an hour and it won't shift into gear/turn over and is making a grinding/revving noise. Almost all of the warning lamps and messages started flashing when this happened. There were cars behind me and next to me on the interstate when this happen and could have caused a serious crash given that the car decelerated and stopped functioning in the middle of the road. I had to pull over on the side of the interstate and I immediately called the dealership to see what was going on and if the car was safe to drive. I took my car to the Acura dealership either that same day or the next day and they claimed they didn't know what the issue was and told me that they reset the mainframe and that would take care of the issue. It did not take care of the issue and this problem has continued to happen multiple times. With the most recent time that this issue occurred they told me that I needed to buy a new battery and that would take care of the issue. I purchased a new battery and 2 days later the same thing as above happened again while driving 75 miles down the interstate the car decelerates and about causes me to crash. Prior to this situation happening in 2020, there was an issue with my battery and when my car would go into idle mode at stoplights/stop signs, it would die in the middle of the road and I would have to wait a few minutes before it would start back up.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #9

Oct 232020

TLX

  • 49,000 miles
As I come to a slow down and a stop my car surges like it wants to continue to go. More less feels like it jerks or a stall.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

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problem #8

Sep 202019

TLX

  • 83,000 miles
My car stalled while driving on the interstate at 75mph. It happened in may, July, and September 2019. While driving the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate. The tachometer registering the rpms dropped to 1,000 and stayed there. After pulling over, shutting the car off, waiting, and restarting the car, the vehicle proceeded to operate as normal. Many of the warning lights appeared during this incident. Finally, in September, my car was undriveable and had to be towed to the dealership. The determination was that the car needed a new engine. I'm still awaiting for the repairs to be completed at this time (November 13, 2019).

- New Castle, IN, USA

problem #7

Sep 022019

TLX

  • 51,247 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Again, while driving approximately 75 mph on interstate all error codes on dashboard (mil) lit up and the car began to feel as if the transmission was not engaged as if I was in neutral and the engine began loosing power. The speed began decreasing, but then would catch for a few seconds. The gear indicated that it was in drive. I pulled off the interstate & parked. I waited a few minutes & restarted and tried to re-engage in drive to see if it reset itself as it has done in the past just 7 weeks prior, however it just revved up. I called road side assistance and had it towed to nearest dealer an hour away as again the mechanical break down occurred while I was traveling in between cities. The next morning, the dealer was able to retrieve the error codes and said that the transmission needed another software update to repair the issue, the computer was reset. While driving home the transmission became jumpy again around 3rd gear. I contacted my local dealership and made them aware of my safety concerns for the car as again, my entire family (husband, kids and dogs) were in the car and felt as if this could have resulted in horrible accident had I not safely navigated off of the interstate while at such a high speed with heavy holiday traffic. This error has displayed for times and each time there was a different solution to the problem besides having 2 transmission updates, bad battery cell and replaced push button gear assembly. I have documented all incidents and reported to dealership as well as Acura corporate. I currently have appointment for next week so that their service adviser can try and replicate this intermittent problem to determine what the error is. I've made them aware that this is a dangerous mechanical issue that not only puts me and my passengers in danger but possibly other cars, but was assured I do not need a rental until it can be seen again.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #6

Nov 212018

TLX

  • 37,700 miles
While traveling 75 mph on interstate multiple / all warning lights suddenly illuminated on dash board and the car placed itself into neutral from drive position. Upon coming to rest car was placed into park along shoulder and when drive was selected it would not engage. Vehicle was turned off and allowed to sit for several minutes before restarting again. Again it would not allow to go into drive. Tow truck was dispatched and after about 30 minutes car was able to shift into drive. Vehicle was then driven about 1/8 mile along shoulder to visible rear stop entrance. We waited for tow to truck to arrive. Car was restarted and would not engage into drive or neutral when attempting to load onto tow truck. After several attempts neutral and drive eventually engaged. Car was taken to nearest dealer just before close before major holiday. Recieved call from dealer stating that the cause of all this was dead battery. Unknown to them battery was replaced Y months prior. Also I have dts report showing multiple malfunctions and errors. I feel that if all this can happen by having a dead battery (that somehow allows you to restart your car multiple times after initial malfunction) this is a huge safety concern. I called dealership back and asked them to double check diagnosis and also check alternator being that the battery is only 6 months old.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #5

Mar 262018

TLX

  • 7,500 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Acura Tlx. The contact stated that the transmission warning indicator illuminated and there was a loss of power. The vehicle shifted independently into neutral while on an incline and rolled in reverse towards oncoming traffic. The contact applied the hazard lights, and turned the vehicle off and back on. The contact then parked the vehicle in a parking area. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers: Acura of lynnwood (21515 wa-99, lynnwood, wa 98036, (425) 775-2925) and Acura of bellevue (13424 ne 20th St, bellevue, wa 98005, (425) 644-3000) for diagnostic testing, but the results were unknown. The manufacturer issued 79 tsbs on the power train; however, the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 16V640000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,500.

- Mukilteo, WA, USA

problem #4

Mar 132018

TLX

  • 7,500 miles
Transmission function sensor failure warning and blind spot sensor failure warning appeared on dash while I was driving on a city street. Car went immediately into neutral while I was driving. If I took my foot off the brake it would roll backwards into oncoming traffic and cars driving behind me.

- Mukilteo, WA, USA

problem #3

Jan 272017

TLX

  • 16,721 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 30 miles per hour on a city street, I noticed the car started was shifting hard. Two minutes later, the warning lights appeared "check vsa system", "check precision all wheel steer system", and "check transmission" and the car would not accelerate. This happened at 16,721 miles. The diagnosis was crumbs in the gear panel. Acura showed no record of me bringing my car in for the service.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 062017

TLX

  • 17,300 miles
Driving at highway speed, cruise control on. Tried to accelerate, using pedal, to pass. No response from vehicle. Driver info cluster was flashing "N" for neutral. Multiple error messages " check transmission", "check emissions systems", "check parking brake system". confirmed engine was still on, @ idle speed. Pressed "D" to re-engage drive. Transmission would not engage. Forced to coast to side of road in traffic with no ability to accelerate or keep speed. Once under 5 mph trans made clicking sound and eventually engaged "park" abruptly. Made more unsuccessful attempts to engage "drive". got out checked vehicle for any obvious mechanical failures. Got back in car turned off and back on. Error messages remained but was able to get the trans to engage drive. Drove vehicle to safer place off the interstate. Called Acura road side service. While waiting for service I turned car off and restarted. Car came back up "normal". finished mission. Acura dealer at destination found no problems or stored codes.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #1

Feb 112016

TLX

  • 1,200 miles
1. when accelerating from a stop, the transmission occasionally feels like it slips into neutral. The engine res but does not move forward for 1-2 seconds. 2. car downshifts into 1st gear and lurches forward after coming to a stop. 3. transmission shifts very abruptly and rough during almost all accelerations.

- St. James, NY, USA

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