The 2015 Acura TLX is a competent midsize sedan, but the V6 SH-AWD models suffer from catastrophic automatic transmission failures and the 2.4L I4 has documented piston ring oil consumption issues that can lead to complete engine failure if ignored.
Symptoms: harsh shifting or shuddering between 2nd-3rd gears, transmission slipping under acceleration, delayed engagement from park to drive, metal debris in transmission fluid, check engine light with transmission codes P0730/P0741
Fix: ZF 9HP transmission has weak torque converter and internal clutch pack failures. Transmission fluid changes every 30k mi can delay but not prevent. Requires complete transmission rebuild or replacement. 12-16 labor hours for R&R plus rebuild time.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
2.4L Earth Dreams Engine Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart oil every 1,000 miles, blue smoke from exhaust on cold start, fouled spark plugs, misfires and rough idle, complete engine seizure if oil runs critically low
Fix: Design flaw in low-tension piston rings allows oil consumption that accelerates carbon buildup. Only real fix is engine rebuild with updated pistons/rings or short block replacement. 18-24 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $4,000-6,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid spots under vehicle, low transmission fluid warning, transmission overheating, sweet smell from engine bay
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at crimped fittings or cooler itself develops pinhole leaks. Replace lines and cooler as assembly. 2-3 labor hours plus fluid flush.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Front Engine/Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive vibration at idle in gear, clunking when shifting from park to drive, engine rocks visibly under acceleration, steering wheel shake
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fail allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Common on V6 models due to higher torque. Replace all three mounts as preventive measure. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Fuel Pump Module Failure (Recall-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: no start or stalling while driving, engine cranks but won't fire, loss of power at highway speeds, fuel gauge erratic readings
Fix: Defective Denso fuel pump can fail suddenly (NHTSA recall). Check if recall 20V-626 was completed. Replacement requires dropping fuel tank. 2.5-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Power Steering Pump Whine and Leak
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: whining noise on cold starts, groaning when turning at low speeds, power steering fluid leak at pump seal, heavy steering effort
Fix: Electric power steering system on some units, but hydraulic pump models develop seal leaks and bearing noise. Replace pump assembly. 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100
Owner tips
If buying a V6 model, verify transmission fluid has been changed every 30,000 miles — service records are critical
2.4L engines: check oil consumption NOW by monitoring dipstick every 500 miles; catching it early can prevent catastrophic failure
Before purchase, pull transmission dipstick (V6) or have shop inspect for metal shavings in fluid
Budget $500/year for likely transmission or engine work after 80,000 miles on either engine
Skip the 2015 TLX unless you find one with bulletproof service records under 60k miles and a strong pre-purchase inspection — both engines and the 9-speed have expensive failure modes that make this a risky used buy.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · 23V751000
2023-11-13
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: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · 19V060000
2019-01-29
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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 16V640000
2016-09-06
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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 14V779000
2014-12-08
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: 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 14V613000
2014-10-01
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: 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.
Vehicle Info — 2015 Acura TLX
Performance
Horsepower
290hp
Torque
267lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
21mpg
Highway
34mpg
Combined
25mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
5seats
EPA class
Compact Cars
Wiper blades
Sedan body style, no rear wiper. First generation TLX (2015-2020)
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2015 Acura TLX 3.5L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.