So my TLX has about 71,500 Miles. Yesterday I had issues starting the car and the brake pedal seemed to lock when I would push the Start button and brake pedal. About an hour later it started just fine after I already called Acura for an appointment. I told them that I believed the battery was having an issue AGAIN (it was replaced in 2017 and mirrored the same symptoms) and that since its due for the A13 Service anyway, I 'd have them look into why the car wouldn't start. So my service advisor called me today to tell me that the reason the car wouldn't start the day before is that the High-Pressure Fuel Pump needs to be replaced and that it would cost $1600! I couldn't believe it. In addition to other repairs (rear brakes, air filter, A13 service) out the door will be $2500.

I reached out to another certified mechanic in my area who happened to previously work at the dealership my car is being serviced at. He told me there was a service bulletin in 2018 regarding the High-Pressure Fuel Pump and that it should've been taken care of when the car was under warranty. He also advised that something doesn't seem right with what the dealership is telling me.

My car is only a 2015. Is this normal for this to happen when the car is only 4 years old with the mileage that it has? Any of you experience the same issues?

 

Not normal, there was a recall that for most was just a software update. This was the resolution per the bulletin:

CORRECTIVE ACTION Update the PGM-FI software. Only clients that specifically reported a stall condition, verified with the on-board snapshot, will qualify for the in-tank fuel pump replacement.

Your issue sounds more like battery to me and that's a way cheaper fix and should be warranted since you had it replaced 2 years ago. $1600 for a repair on a 4 yr old acura doesn't sit well.

 

Thank you for your response! The issue at hand sure doesn't sit well with me with this dealership. I have an extended warranty with my Credit Union which can cover the cost thankfully, however, I'm having a hard time wanting to use it to cover that cost especially since my car is fairly new and in excellent condition otherwise.

 

You're a bit over the 50k miles but you can ask if they can "goodwill" all or more likely a portion of the repair. I have had this done for me when I was outside of the 4 year warranty on a part that really should have lasted well past 4 years. I have purchased numerous cars from the dealership though so that may factor in some to it as well. Doesn't cost extra to ask, worst they can do is say no. I have found the dealership by me to be pretty liberal with covering repairs that probably should not have been "warranty" items.

 

Hi Judy,
There was a whole thread on it back when that TSB jhb31 referenced was issued.
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...at-tlx-977224/
Mostly a big nothing. You should have gotten a recall notice in the mail. No performance or anything was impacted.

You can read the TSB here:
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B19-011.PDF
It does say that if a stall was recording by a snapshot, probably means an error code in the ECU, then it qualifies for replacement. Otherwise, it should just be updating the PGM software. I never read anyone on this forum get a new fuel pump as a result of a stall under this recall.

There was a separate high pressure fuel pump issue a couple years ago where it would chirp when the engine idled. Mine did this and was fixed under warranty. If yours doesn’t chirp, this isn’t the fix they should be doing.
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B16-008.PDF

I have a feeling the problem was a $200 battery, still under warranty, and they’re trying to absolutely gouge you because they can justify the stall by lack of fuel. Many of us forum members experienced stalls due to dying batteries, some members stalled several times with their first battery (stalls come and go), and some members are already on their third or fourth battery. I’m sharing this so you’re armed with facts when you talk to the dealership. Good luck!

PS I had many more problems with my TLX in 20k miles than you did in your 70k, assuming you bought it new. One fuel pump issue isn’t bad at all for this car, which lands near the bottom of most reliability studies. You should be glad!

 

I have a 2015 and am on battery #3 in my 5 years of ownership. They start giving me problems every 1.5 or so years. My 2nd battery was an Interstate battery and, it started exhibiting starting issues after something like 6 months to a year before it finally died. Acura just tells me "the battery checks out ok", so no real resolution as to what's causing the batteries to die prematurely. You'll see others with battery issues in the "Problems" forum, as well. I'm not saying this was your problem, but just that there are battery drain issues out there.

 

I would like to say that these batteries are pretty horrible, even on driveaccord forums, batteries are dying left and right.
Though my car is a 17 accord ex sedan, I took it in randomly just for them to test it as I can feel the car battery starting to have issues, and unfortunately passed with flying colors.

So what I did was, I added a battery tender, and once a week/month, whenever i feel the battery starting to have issues, I just plug the sucker in, and it helps substantially!

So my recommendation for those who are going out of warranty, or hell, even in warranty, I highly recommend getting a Tender and just charge it every now and then, or all the time, what ever you decide.

 

2015 Advance trim and I also use parking mode for my dashcam. Didn't have any issues really with battery and replaced it just about a month or two ago. So for an Acura battery, lasted quite awhile. Technically over 4yrs since it was in the car when it was sitting on the lot for over a year lol.

 

Judy, you didn't mention whether you had the V6 or the V6 SH-AWD. The latter has the automatic idle stop, which drives some people nuts. I actually like it (weird I know) BUT it is hell on the battery, since you can restart the car dozens of time just on the way to work, especially if in rush hour traffic (and at that point, it's just better to turn it off if your are not really sitting). Anyways, good luck! I have an extended warranty good for 120K miles and 96 months, so hopefully that will carry me through the worst. I have one of the first 2015 SH-AWDs and it has like 85K miles on it. Fortunately I am not driving it as much these days as I am mostly working from home now. :-)