2018 Acura Tl Safety Report

The 2018 Acura TLX presents a mixed safety picture, primarily due to a significant number of owner-reported issues despite a lack of formal safety ratings from NHTSA. With 90 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries, there are clear concerns regarding vehicle reliability and potential safety hazards. A notable absence of recalls (0) for this model year is concerning, especially given the recurring nature of some complaints that align with known issues in other Acura/Honda vehicles, such as engine stalling and issues with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The most common complaint patterns revolve around the engine and its cooling system, accounting for 14 and 10 complaints respectively. Owners frequently report engine rattling, stalling, and complete engine failure, sometimes at highway speeds, which poses a severe safety risk. Several complaints explicitly mention issues related to connecting rod bearings, aligning with a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000) for similar models, yet the 2018 TLX is not always included, leading to owner frustration and unrepaired vehicles. Furthermore, issues with the forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems (3 complaints) indicate potential malfunctions in critical safety features, with reports of sudden braking and multiple warning lights illuminating simultaneously. While NHTSA crash test ratings are not available for the 2018 Acura TLX, the high volume of complaints related to engine performance and ADAS malfunctions suggests that real-world safety could be compromised. The single reported fire, originating between the shifter and cup holder, also raises concerns about electrical or fuel system integrity. The lack of recalls to address these widespread issues leaves owners vulnerable to costly repairs and potential safety incidents. The overall safety picture is one of significant owner-reported mechanical and electronic failures that, without official recalls or safety ratings, remain largely unaddressed.

Our recommendation: Given the significant number of owner complaints regarding critical engine failures and ADAS malfunctions, proceed with extreme caution; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine health and electronic systems is essential.