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I have owned this 2018 TLX ASpec TLX 6cy SH-AWD since it was on the show room. Impeccable service record - all oil changes and service done at dealership since I purchased it.
Had an oil change a week or so ago. All good. Informed im coming up on the 70k service recommendation for front and rear differential fluid changes and new brake pads.
Was driving on the highway the other day and all of a sudden got the blinking engine light and lost almost all power. Pulled off the highway and let the car cool. Started back up with no problems, no engine warning lights. Drove home and started to notice a knock upon acceleration. Took it into the dealer and of course... informed I need the engine replaced. Lower small block is bad - engine knock no joy.
I am under miles for warranty but 3 months over the 5 year coverage.
First question - Has anyone else had this issue at such low miles on a TLX
Second question - Whats Acura's track record for throwing an owner a solid and extending the warranty to cover this obvious defect in its engine?
I'm guessing you're in Canada where they do a 5 year powertrain warranty? In the US it's 6 years
Anecdotally speaking it seems like Acura of Canada tends to be better when it comes to keeping customers happy and doing things out of goodwill. Acura of America, not so much.
I think in the US its 5yr 70k miles... I hope to hear from the Acura service manager today on what the plan is. I will keep the thread posted as to what they decided. I leased a 2015 then upgraded to a 2018 and then just bought my 2018 off lease. So I have been a customer for stint. Not my first Acura.
Sounds to me after doing some research that this is not that uncommon for this engine. So I could likely argue that any engine kept serviced as this one was - more than likely left the assembly line with a critical defect. To not make it to 70k miles for a brand new Honda engine... seems like the sign of a breakdown in manufacturing.
I think in the US its 5yr 70k miles... I hope to hear from the Acura service manager today on what the plan is. I will keep the thread posted as to what they decided. I leased a 2015 then upgraded to a 2018 and then just bought my 2018 off lease. So I have been a customer for stint. Not my first Acura.
Sounds to me after doing some research that this is not that uncommon for this engine. So I could likely argue that any engine kept serviced as this one was - more than likely left the assembly line with a critical defect. To not make it to 70k miles for a brand new Honda engine... seems like the sign of a breakdown in manufacturing.
I really hope Acura does me a solid here... there is no way a non-defective engine goes out at 65k miles with a solid service record.
Considering it's within the warranty period, they're legally obligated to fix it unless they pull some sort of shenangians like claim you abused it or didn't do the proper servicing or whatnot.
There have been a number of V6 engines which have had this problem arise, myself included. Mine was replaced twice under warranty. In both cases it was a connecting rod bearing.
OP, sorry to hear and hopefully this goes in your favor. Over the years I have witnessed some bad experiences and those family members/friends have since walked away from Honda; in one case the new engine blew soon after the replacement.
And isn't this issue more prevalent with the SH-AWDs and hardly at all for the FWD V6s for whatever reason?
SB Safety Recall 2015-20 Connecting Rod , Stop Sale
Originally Posted by jhmill
I have owned this 2018 TLX ASpec TLX 6cy SH-AWD since it was on the show room. Impeccable service record - all oil changes and service done at dealership since I purchased it.
Had an oil change a week or so ago. All good. Informed im coming up on the 70k service recommendation for front and rear differential fluid changes and new brake pads.
Was driving on the highway the other day and all of a sudden got the blinking engine light and lost almost all power. Pulled off the highway and let the car cool. Started back up with no problems, no engine warning lights. Drove home and started to notice a knock upon acceleration. Took it into the dealer and of course... informed I need the engine replaced. Lower small block is bad - engine knock no joy.
I am under miles for warranty but 3 months over the 5 year coverage.
First question - Has anyone else had this issue at such low miles on a TLX
Second question - Whats Acura's track record for throwing an owner a solid and extending the warranty to cover this obvious defect in its engine?
There have been a number of V6 engines which have had this problem arise, myself included. Mine was replaced twice under warranty. In both cases it was a connecting rod bearing.
Replacing the motor for a rod bearing seems excessive. Granted it was under warranty, so lucky for you.
I've recently gone j36 in an 8th gen accord j35z block with oversized 89.5mm pistons, j37 rods, j37 crank, j37a2 heads and it was a cake job. I can't imagine the j35y being much different to rebuild.
Replacing the motor for a rod bearing seems excessive. Granted it was under warranty, so lucky for you.
I've recently gone j36 in an 8th gen accord j35z block with oversized 89.5mm pistons, j37 rods, j37 crank, j37a2 heads and it was a cake job. I can't imagine the j35y being much different to rebuild.
Well, the first time it took out a rod. As the tech noted, the engine experienced rapid unscheduled disassembly. The second one I'm guessing was more for them to be able to investigate further since it had only reached the level of a low engine knock.
Interesting, as there does seem to be a big link between V6 + SH-AWD vs just V6 (and I saw in another discussion that a Honda/Acura mechanic shared that they have been seeing Acura's with bad engines but no Honda's really).
This is actually good timing for me also, as I have had my eye on a few TLXs and MDXs w/ SH-AWD but I think I am going to need to pass now.
EDIT: just checked a few of the vehicles I was watching and they dropped $1000+ today! Guess the word is spreading
Interesting, as there does seem to be a big link between V6 + SH-AWD vs just V6 (and I saw in another discussion that a Honda/Acura mechanic shared that they have been seeing Acura's with bad engines but no Honda's really).
This is actually good timing for me also, as I have had my eye on a few TLXs and MDXs w/ SH-AWD but I think I am going to need to pass now.
I wonder if there's a confounding factor; enthusiasts tend to buy the SH-AWD version rather than the FWD version, and enthusiasts tend to drive the cars harder than non-enthusiasts.
I wonder if there's a confounding factor; enthusiasts tend to buy the SH-AWD version rather than the FWD version, and enthusiasts tend to drive the cars harder than non-enthusiasts.
Possibly, and/or the SH-AWD weight and parts and what not are taxing on the engine.
Interesting, as there does seem to be a big link between V6 + SH-AWD vs just V6 (and I saw in another discussion that a Honda/Acura mechanic shared that they have been seeing Acura's with bad engines but no Honda's really).
This part makes sense as to why new oem crankshafts are sold out from Acura, but still available from Honda.
Thanks for the information everyone! As for oil changes - I have been getting this car in for changes on the regular. If its related to that connecting rod bearing recall I would think they will be on the hook to replace it. Technician said that only the lower end of hte engine will likely need to e replaced when he heard the noise before diving into the repair. So he must have been aware of what he was seeing/hearing in other Acura's with similar issues.
Thanks again everyone. Sucks to be going through this, but had this not happened I likely wouldn't have found this wonderful community of Acura owners!
Just a heads up. I spoke to my service rep today to check on whether the timing belt was replaced with either of my engine replacements and, to our surprise, it was not. Apparently, Acura does not recommend and will not cover replacing belts for such a repair. If your vehicle is near the timing belt service and needs work done as part of this recall, I would recommend discussing having that work done while it's in for the repair as it most likely will save you some on labor vs. doing it later.
11-03-2023, 11:38 AM
