2022 ACURA TLX

Loss of brake power with “brake” light and “brake service” light on. I was backing out of my driveway and lost almost all braking power almost pushing the pedal to the floor. Once I came to a stop, I turned the car off and turned it back on, brake pedal felt fine and lights went away at that point.

Last week, the right lower ball joint began producing a noticeable squeaking noise. I brought the vehicle to Irvine Acura in Irvine, California, where two technicians confirmed that the right lower ball joint boot is intact with no grease leakage; however, the ball-and-socket joint displays excessive play. The dealership recommended replacing both lower control arms, despite the left side currently being in acceptable condition. If the right lower ball joint were to fail, it could result in a loss of vehicle control.

Transmission and transfer case failed. Traction control light flashes when accelerating.

I got new tires and an alignment performed and ever since the car has pulled to the right. The car has been to the dealer for 6 alignments due to the car veering to the right. They swapped the wheels from another car to ensure it wasn’t the new tires and the problem still occurred. As soon as I let go of the wheel it pulls to the right no matter if it’s a crowned road or not. Each time the alignment is completely off from the last time it had it performed. I took it to 3 different dealers and they all suggested throwing parts at it (replacing the rear subframe for $3000 or a front driver strut for $1400) telling me that they don’t know if it’d fix it or not.

When I was driving as low speed, all the dashboard lights began blinking on the dashboard while I was driving. The steering wheel began to get stiff and I had a hard time turning it. I pulled into a parking lot, with much difficulty trying to steer into it and the steering wheel locked completely. I turned the car off and back on and all the lights went off and the dashboard looked normal. I then drove home without any other incident. I wish I had taken a picture of the dashboard to show the dealer. Hopefully it won't happen again.

The component that failed or malfunctioned was the transmission and transfer case on my 2022 Acura TLX type S at 45K miles. I was driving the car on the street and the car was shaking and stuttering violently and at certain points it would not move requiring a tow. The problem was confirmed by the dealership to be the transmission. And inspected by the manufacturer (Acura) there were no warning, lights, messages or other symptoms prior to failure. They started appearing around 45,000 miles.

Blown transfer case

Went to accelerate and heard LOUD bang. Transfer case shaft snapped internally into transmission. Transfer case AND transmission assembly both replaced under warranty. Will happen again in another 40-50k miles.

The vehicles AWD system has prematurely failed as confirmed by the car dealership Acura of Pembroke Pines that I have taken it to. The lack of traction to the rear wheels causes excessive torque steering and constant engaging of the VSA system if the road is even remotely wet and the vehicle is under anything more than mid level acceleration. There are several Acura TLX Type-S trim vehicles that are being reported to have this common issue and Acura / Honda is keeping this quiet and replacing the prematurely failing transmission and transfer cases with what I fear are the same faulty parts instead of properly developing a revised updated part that will properly correct the issue. An AWD system is meant to give the driver confidence on the road and premature failure under slippery road conditions be it rain or snow is putting peoples lives in jeopardy.