Is the 2018 Acura TLX reliable?

The 2018 Acura TLX has 150 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Acura TLX?

Top problems: ENGINE (42 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (19 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Acura TLX?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Acura TLX?

The 2018 Acura TLX gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Acura TLX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Acura TLX is approximately $2,014/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Acura TLX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Acura TLX has 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: for the past two days i see the check engine indicator pop up along with two errors. "electric parking brake problem" and "emissions system problem" this happend after driving and parking the car. the next day i turned the car on and saw the errors. not sure what cpuld be the cause of this. i rec. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 1 injury

150

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

42 complaints

28%

• FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS I SEE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR POP UP ALONG WITH TWO ERRORS. "ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM" AND "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM" THIS HAPPEND AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW THE ERRORS. NOT SURE WHAT CPULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I REC
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA TLX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE MAKING EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FELT STIFF AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. IN A
• WHEN DRIVING AS GEAR CHANGES WHILE HITTING THE GAS ,MY CAR JULTS AS IF GAS I RAN OUT OF GAS AND HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FEEL LIKE IM GETTING WIPLASH AND DOSE IT AROUND 25MPH AND 55-60 MPH AND RPM WIL JUMP AND GO BACK TO NORMAL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS I SEE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR POP UP ALONG WITH TWO ERRORS. "ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM" AND "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM" THIS HAPPEND AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW THE ERRORS. NOT SURE WHAT CPULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I REC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Acura TLX

Based on 42 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 36K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 50K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP29/01/2019

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.

Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Acura TLX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Acura TLX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,014

Full coverage / month

$168

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+20%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2014

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura TLX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2018 TLX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 150 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS I SEE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR POP UP ALONG WITH TWO ERRORS. "ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM" AND "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM" THIS HAPPEND AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW THE ERRORS. NOT SURE WHAT CPULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I REC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS I SEE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR POP UP ALONG WITH TWO ERRORS. "ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM" AND "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM" THIS HAPPEND AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW THE ERRORS. NOT SURE WHAT CPULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I REC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Vehicle is having problems w original recall issues. Car stopping on its own on the highway, car says it’s on E all the time but has gas, car hesitates continually and sometimes just stops, electrical system is having major glitches, transmission and engine having major issues with hesitation and de
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 2018 ACURA TLX UNEXPECTEDLY AND FOR UNKNOW REASONS INITIATES AN EMERGENCY (SOS) CALL, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A 911 CALL TO NYS POLICE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST HALF A DOZEN TIMES. WE DIDN'T KEEP TRACK AT FIRST BUT NOW KNOW TO DO THAT. MOST TIMES THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. NOTHING UN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)