2021 TLX ASpec SH-AWD, 2000 miles.

Twice now in the last week, my TLX has done some strange and unusual things after using the AcuraLink App to remote start the vehicle.

First instance: after using the app to start the car, I walked up to it, grabbed the handle for the car to Auto Unlock….as it usually works fine…nothing. Then I take the fob and try to unlock the car…nothing….ironically on the app, once you use the app to start the car, the option to unlock the car from the app goes away…so dumb. So I used the app to stop the car…AND NOW THE FOB WORKS FINE…and the doors unlocked?!

Second instance: Accent ambient lighting, did not come on after I manually turned on the headlights, was not quite dark enough for the auto lights to come on. They usually turn on with the headlights. Went into settings, it was “linked to illumination” as usual. Still no lights. So I pulled over, turned off the TLX, restarted, and boom THE ACCENT LIGHTS NOW WORK. Only thing I can think of is that I remote started the TLX from the app prior to driving.

Is anyone else having these issues or similar??

Matt in Oregon

 

I used the app during the trial period and didn't even bother testing the remote start feature. Needless to say, I didn't feel the need to subscribe.

Judging by your experience, it doesn't sound like you will be keeping it either. The key fob should always work. What if your phone runs out of juice while approaching the car?!!!

 

I used the remote start in the Winter, till my free trial ran out
Actually worked great; started the car from a 6th floor apartment, or 300+ yards away
Probably will reactivate, when it gets cold; nice to have heat, when it's 10* or so

 

I've tested the AcuraLink app for remote start at home, but I didn't drive off. I'll test it at work and see if there are any weird issues. Looking at AcuraLink right now and the info isn't up-to-date even though I refreshed it and the Last Updated time stamp is current. I do know the FOB remote start works great, however.

Side note: AcuraLink now works with Alexa and you can have it do anything the app can do and retrieve info about your car (mileage, fuel level, etc.).

 

Yep, same issue for the first time. Started my 2021 TLX remotely and when I tried to open the door, it wouldn’t unlock. Tried using the remote to unlock, nothing. When I used the remote to turn the engine off, I was able to get in my car. I tried it again later and it worked fine. My first service is due soon so I plan to mention it but if I can’t duplicate it, I’m not confident this issue will be corrected until enough people complain and it will likely need to be an over the air update. Thanks for the heads up on this problem.

 

Update - I started and stopped my car with the app at work yesterday. Later when leaving work, I tried to start the car again, but it kept coming back with an error stating that the car wasn't in Park (although I had not moved it since I started/stopped it earlier). I tried to remote start it with the FOB at that point and it would not work either!

Looking at the app now and it still has the incorrect info from about a week ago! This app clearly isn't ready for prime time.

 

I had this happen to me a couple of times too. What I eventually figured out is that you have to first lock the car from the app, then remote start it. It’s apparently the same as the way remote start works from the fob (if you have it).

Kind of dumb when using the app, as it knows the car is locked already. With my most recent car before this with remote start (2015 Chevy SS), from the fob I had to first press lock and then remote start, but from the app all I had to do was hit remote start.

 

I hear what you're saying, and you definitely need to press lock first on the fob, but that's not the case with the app. I've started the car multiple times with the app going straight to Start. When I started getting the error above, I actually did try locking the doors with the app first and that didn't change the results.

Car still won't remote start with the app (or the fob) currently. I think my issue is battery related (just a guess). I've noticed that when I start my car (the normal way) it's not instant, and the auto start/stop hasn't engaged since this started happening. I plan on getting it checked soon and I'll update when I do.

 

The initial problem you mentioned was exactly what happened to me.

Yes, you can absolutely start the car from the app without locking it first. The problem is that (at least in my case) I could not unlock the car after starting it without stopping it from the app first. I tried grabbing the handle, unlocking from the fob, and unlocking from the app while it was running. No matter what I did the door would not unlock. However, if I first lock it from the app, then remote start it, I can open it by grabbing the handle, and unlocking from the fob also works. Every time.

Sounds like you have additional issues on top of that though.

 

I'm really glad I'm not dependent on the remote start. I had it as a button on my MDX Tech key fob and used it twice in 3 years? The app should work for those who are subscribed to it. Otherwise, it's robbery!

 

Quick update: battery replaced under warranty....remote start (fob & app) and auto start/stop working normally. I've tested the app a handful of times and did not experience any gremlins like the OP and ApexBlue.

 

I've had the same issue unlocking after using the app. The other thing I've had happen on a few occasions is the heated seats or some cases the vented seats were on at startup. I didn't have them on prior to shutting off.

Along with that, not really app related; Carplay will kill the Sat feed, the only way to recover the Sat fee is to select FM then go back to Sat. Super annoying but won't be an issue as soon as the trial period runs out.

 

The seats are supposed to heat or cool based on outside temp. It's part of the remote start feature.

 

Only if the "AUTO" button is lit next to the ventilated seat indicators. The AUTO feature is tracking local temps based on satellite positioning of the car. If you don't want to be surprised by a hot/cold seat, simply press that button until "AUTO" light is no longer on.

 

Not correct.

The AUTO seat is a unique feature from Acura but, initiating a remote start uses the outside temp to set the seats and the climate control. You don't have to have your climate control set to auto for it to change the settings right?

I never have AUTO set on the seats and in the summer I've had my seat ^always set to highest vent speed. If I remote start and it is cooler outside it might lower to level 2 or 1 or even turn off the vented seat.

Further, my 2018 Accord EX-L (only heated seats) turned the heated seat on upon a remote start if it was cold enough outside. It had NO AUTO setting.

 

Ah, makes sense. I thought it was malfunctioning. I'm curious what the temps need to be because it's only happened a few times but the weather here in GA has been a little weird as of late.

To your point, I do not have my climate controls set to Auto.

 

I wasn't talking about the AUTO setting for climate control. There's a separate AUTO button next to the ventilated seat settings.